In this training package you will learn the technical and artistic secrets needed to create high quality

matte paintings and learn about professional art direction to further understand what is needed to
make a shot look photo-real.
Some topics covered include:
Setting up the canvas and going from concept to matte painting
Painting, cloning, photo manipulation and layer techniques
Color theory, perspective, and light/shadow concepts
Setting up 2D, 2.5D, and 3D projection and compositing techniques using Photoshop, After Effects,
Nuke, and Maya
Week One
You will gather references for matte paintings later in class (such as photos self taken, or on copyright
free high resolution images on the internet or scans). David will provide some references for you to start
out with. Students are encouraged to use their own reference material for their matte paintings. You
will be provided with links to recommended reading materials to enhance your knowledge of matte
painting.
Video tuition includes:
An introduction to Photoshop tools and canvas, aspect ratio, and pixel resolution, and color space
information (8bit/16bit/cineon/rgb)
sRGB and monitor color calibration; Mac vs PC ICC profiles
Composition and rule of thirds, tangent lines, atmospheric perspective, 1/2/3 point perspective.
You will also develop a concept for first your first matte painting built from concept work you will
develop. Concepts can be made from any combination of paint sketches, rough photo stitching, texture
work, and 3D proxy models.

Week Two, Video tuition includes:
Color correction tools in Photoshop: Curves, Levels, Hue/Saturation, and Brightness/Contrast
Layer management, Coloring Layers, Groups, Clipping Masks, and Adjustment Layers for non-destructive
image editing
Extraction techniques: Extraction Tool, Marquee Tool, Quick Mask erasing
A study on Plate Extensions and how they are used as a basis for matte paintings
Grain averaging, and re-graining plates for matte painting work.

Week Three
This week focusses on Lighting/Shadow, sun direction, bounce light, specular/diffuse/reflection
components of objects to consider while matte painting. Showing what the different Blend Options for
layers Multiply, Screen, Linear Dodge, Overlay, etc.
Video tuition includes: Sky replacement tutorial, matching lighting, black values, and perspective
Background, Mid-ground, Foreground elements, giving depth to a matte painting. Start thinking about
breaking up painting into layers for compositing later on and giving control over animating it later.
Art Direction: You will experiment with different color schemes before settling, giving focus to the piece
and having an interesting subject.
Week Four
This week includes cloning techniques, painting back in texture detail using the Levels tool and
adjustment layers to paint in highlights.
Now you will move on to create a new concept for final matte painting and conceptualize it so you can
break up the painting layers, which can then be animated in a compositing package or be projected in
3D on cards and/or objects. Students are encouraged to use their own footage in a locked-off position
on a tripod, if possible, or moving freely if they are ambitious to match-move on their own.
Week Five, Video tuition includes:
Day for night tutorial, using curves, painting in lights, and shadows
Using After Effects to import in Photoshop matte painting layers and preparing them for some 2.5D
animation. Think about adding in practical elements or CG elements to liven up matte painting
Using MeshWrap to animate your footage
How to animate water in 2D using Displacement.

Week Six, Video tuition includes:
Preparing Photoshop layers in matte painting and exporting them with Alpha channels for non Adobe
programs (they handle Alpha Channels differently)
Using Nuke to import in Photoshop layers, and preparing them for 2.5D/3D compositing. Show basic
nodes to attach to make it work for students
Setting up a 2.5D camera move for a matte painting using AfterEffects.
You can also view ongoing paint overs and critiques for students who worked with David during the
CGWorkshop.

Week Seven, Video tuition includes:
Setting up Photoshop to export your layers to Maya
Using Maya for 3D matte painting projections and techniques to render out for compositing
Shader setup, animating cameras, and rendering your matte painting in Maya
Setting up a 3D Cityscape matte painting and matching camera data for animation
Setting up a 3D Matte Painting Projection in Nuke.
Read critique of rough matte paintings for final project.

Week Eight
Continuation of lecture on the history of matte painting and the great artists of today.
Critique of final matte painting projects.

I am considering a career in digital matte painting, and this course will give me some of the experience I
need.