Matte painting is a visual representation technique that has a long history in the world of cinematographic creation and professional photography.
Can you imagine being able to create fictional scenarios that seem totally real?
By mastering this resource, it is possible to design artificial scenarios that are generally combined with real landscapes and together, they manage to create a unique space.
Currently digital matte painting is used for the creation of visual effects in film and photography, although its history begins long before the new technologies used today by creatives emerged.
In this article we tell you what matte painting is, what its history is, what this technique consists of and what it is used for. Stay until the end so that you can learn about some of the professional applications that this visual resource has.
What does matte painting mean?
The Matte Painting, is also known as the ‘painting technique on glass’, since that is how this resource began to be used in cinema.
It consists of creating scenarios with a realistic appearance that are then superimposed on spaces or landscapes that actually exist.
It is a technique widely used in cinematography, photography and illustration, since it is one of the most useful resources to unleash the creative vein of visual artists. Similarly, a procedure that allows realistic images and scenarios to be recreated is a vital tool for the viewer to get involved and believe in what is being told.
History of matte painting
As we mentioned at the beginning, matte painting in cinema and visual arts in general, has a long history. It is not a new technique, although it has evolved with the implementation of digital technologies.
Its most immediate antecedent is found in the theater, where sets and stages were used to recreate landscapes or spaces as realistic as possible. A resource that gives greater credibility to the story in the eyes of the viewer.
In its beginnings, matte painting was done by painting fictitious scenarios on glass or mirrors that were optically combined with real elements; either at the time of taking photographs and videos or later in the post-production stage.
Nowadays, digital matte painting is done with programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop or After Effect.
King Kong (1993) and Citizen Kane (1941) were two of the first films to use this technique.
Top 3 applications of Digital Matte Painting
But these are not the only applications that matte painting has in visual creation.
It is a technique that offers numerous possibilities, so it is used in different professional areas in which it is necessary to tell a story, sell a product or convey certain emotions.
Below, we tell you all about 3 professional applications of digital matte painting.
1. Set design for series and movies
The first use of this technique could not be other than the creation of scenarios, since this was the first professional application in which this resource was used. Even before it became a digital technique, matte painting was already used to recreate fictional spaces in old images and films.
Although it is common to think that this technique is only used for the creation of landscapes, the truth is that its applications in cinematography are multiple. On countless occasions it has been implemented for the visual creation of exteriors, interiors, historical or fictional recreations and much more.
2. Video games
Matte painting in video games is one of the most frequent applications of this technique.
The characters of PC or console games are becoming more and more realistic. A realism that must also be reflected in the scenarios where the plot of the protagonists develops. All this so that gamers can enjoy this playful experience to the fullest, which is more pleasurable, the more realistic it is.
In this sense, the matte painting technique is an essential tool to achieve this goal.
3. Photography
The use of this technique in photography also offers a wide spectrum of possibilities for creatives.
If you master certain skills that have to do with perspective, composition and lighting, it is possible to apply matte painting with Photoshop or other programs in creative, commercial, advertising and even personal photography.
Conclusion
As you can see, matte painting is still a very effective technique in different professional areas of visual creation.
Although it is an ancient resource, compared to other procedures currently used, this technique continues to demonstrate its relevance and usefulness. All this, because thanks to the use of new technologies, creatives discovered how to transform and evolve traditional resources with the aim of designing increasingly realistic audiovisual products.
What do you think of the matte painting technique?