Advance Computer Graphics

Matte Painting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matte_painting

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, a matte painting is a representation of a landscape, set, or distant location that allows filmmakers to create the illusion of a environment that would otherwise be too expensive to build or visit. Historically, matte painters and film technicians have used various techniques to combine a matte painted image with live-action footage. At its best, depending on the skill levels of the artists and technicians, the effect is “seamless” (see No odd edges, just a smooth transition from one part of the image to the next) and creates environments that would otherwise be impossible to film or recreate.

1st step – Research

Please search ONLINE these matte painting artists

-  Dylan Cole

-  Fredrick St-Amaud (sin city)

-  Yanick Dusseault – www.dusso.com

-  David Luong

-  Chris Thunig – www.thunig.com

First grade is based on research of matte painting artists- Create a FLYER of 1 out of the 5 artists

-  Need 7 facts about the matte painting artist

-  Need 7 images that the matte painting artist has created

-  Have a “point of interest”/ main focal point / Emphasis

-  Good composition / layout on flyer’s appearance

-  Don’t forget the background

-  This is for 15 points. (7 pts on facts, 7 pts on images, 1 pt layout… )

-  Due in 2-3 days of lesson introduction

2nd step – Planning

Second grade is based on 2- 3 possible sketches on the matte paintings/ fantasy environments -- draw out with pencil and paper (hardcopy).

3rd step – The Process

Now it’s your turn, the student will create a finished background Image for use in a possible film. You can be inspired by a poem, (school appropriate) song, book, short story, etc.

The student needs to create a Matte Painting that includes:

  1. At least one custom brush that YOU created.
  2. USE of the custom brush in the painting

3.  At least one spotlight effect - to illuminate the objects in your scenes with light source (s)

4.  At least one but not more that five (smart) Filters … watch this video to explain

(5.25 minutes)

http://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-photoshop-cs6/applying-filters-nondestructively-using-smart-filters/

-  you may need to ask me what is a foreground or background, if you Googled it and still don’t understand, please ask me

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5.  At least one 3d object

6.  A manually hand colored image on a separate layer.

7.  Size needs to be 11x17 or 16x20

8.  Image must be 300 dpi / resolution.

9.  File name needs to have: assignment name_ your name_ p #.psd/ai

Example: matte painting_ ms z_ p4.jpg

The student will turn in a file with all layers, folders, and effects intact, do NOT flatten the image. This will show the process for making the image and that the student used all features outlined below to create it. You will also turn in a JPG file containing the finished image.

Things to consider:

-  Choose your light source

-  Compose your elements and use the negative space (vs. positive space) thoughtfully

-  Consider the mood of the film and place you are creating for it.

-  Use a minimum of effects or filters that’s to obvious

-  Tell a story, mood, or genre

-  As always, the QUALITY of the overall composition, and the intelligence of the relationships between the images are crucial to how your work will be judged. The two main concerns of this assignment lie in the quality of your photos /foundational cg painting and your understanding of the software, with a focus on montage. (Montage - artwork is made from an assemblage of different image forms/ photos, thus creating a new whole image)

IMAGES:

-  You CAN use your OWN photographs taken for this project or “hire” a student photographer friend. Or high quality stock images.

-  Do NOT use copyrighted images, especially images used in existing films.

-  TO make “print ready” save a copy with layers as a Photoshop document, and a file that is FLATTEN to print w 300 dpi.

-  RGB is a fine mode

-  Projects must be uploaded to my jump / USB/ flash drive

4th step – The Critique & Evaluation

Evaluation based on:

-  Following Directions,

-  Craftsmanship (neatness)

-  Creativity,

-  Composition (layout arrangement) – please think of the composition rules when layout your images

-  Effort

  1. check-in critiques, so the student can get feed back on how the matte painting is progressing and an end of the project critique.
  2. First “check-in” grade is due 5 days after creation of sketch
  3. Second “check-in” grade is due on the 10th day or second wk of production
  4. Based on feedback if there is a need for more classes to produce a matte painting.
  5. 10 points for each check in
  1. Reflection with a self-evaluation rubric – this is your time to tell me your thoughts – strengths and growths… maybe even problems/ challenges they may had to overcome, such as, computer problems.
  1. Once the student is done with the above, it will be teacher evaluation.