An analysis of Digital matte painting for the

entertainment industry
Gaurav Kakkar Lovely Professional University
School of Design III-Multimedia, Punjab, India
gaurav.27207@lpu.co.in

Abstract— This paper provides an overview of the history

and evolution of matte painting, from traditional painting
techniques to the modern digital era. It also explores the
various software tools and techniques used by matte painters in
the entertainment industry to create complex and highly-
detailed digital environments. The paper delves into the
technical aspects of digital matte painting, including the use of
3D modeling, compositing, and texturing to create realistic
environments. It also covers the importance of lighting and
color grading to achieve a consistent look across different shots
and sequences.
Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges and
limitations of digital matte painting, including the need for
extensive collaboration between artists, the importance of
maintaining consistency across shots, and the need for
flexibility in adapting to changes in the creative vision.
Overall, this paper highlights the critical role that digital
matte painting plays in the entertainment industry, and how it
continues to evolve and improve as new technology and
techniques are developed.
Keywords— Digital matte painting, Entertainment industry,
Analysis, 3D modeling, Compositing, Environments
1. INTRODUCTION
Digital matte painting is a technique used in the film,
television, and video game industries to create realistic or
imaginary backgrounds and environments for live-action
footage or computer-generated imagery (CGI). It involves
using digital tools to paint or manipulate images that will be
used as backgrounds in a scene, often combining multiple
elements to create a seamless, photorealistic final image.
Matte painters use their artistic skills to create digital
paintings or 3D models of landscapes, buildings, and other
elements that can be added to live-action footage or CGI
renders. These elements may include skies, mountains,
forests, oceans, cityscapes, and even creatures and characters.
The final result is a composite image that appears as if the
actors are in a real location, even if it was entirely created
digitally. Digital matte painting is often used to enhance the
visual effects of films and video games, creating stunning
and immersive environments that would be impossible or
prohibitively expensive to build in the real world. An
overview of this paper and a detailed hierarchical structure of
the content covered can be seen in Figure 2. It is a complex
and highly specialized field that requires a strong foundation
in traditional painting techniques, as well as expertise in
digital tools and software such as Adobe Photoshop, 3D
modelling software, and compositing programs like Nuke or
After Effects.
2. Literature Review
a) Digital matte painting is a technique used in the
film industry to create realistic or fantastical backgrounds
and environments for live-action footage. As technology
progressed, the techniques and materials used to create
matte paintings evolved as well, leading to the development
of digital matte painting. The first use of matte paintings in
cinema can be traced back to the silent era. The filmmakers
would paint on a large piece of glass, which would then be
placed in front of the camera. By carefully lining up the
glass with the live-action footage, the painted background
would appear seamless with the actors and sets. One of the
earliest examples of this technique can be seen in the 1907
film "The Eclipse. “As cinema technology evolved, so did
the techniques used to create matte paintings. In the 1930s
and 1940s, matte painters began using "duplicates" of live-
action sets to create larger, more intricate backgrounds.
These duplicates were often built to a smaller scale and were
painted to match the actual set. By using forced perspective
and carefully aligning the duplicates with the live-action
footage, the painted backgrounds would appear to extend
beyond the actual set, creating a more expansive
environment. An overview of the matte painting can be seen
in Figure 1.
In the 1960s and 1970s, with the advent of color
photography, the process of creating matte paintings became
more complicated. Artists needed to carefully match the
colors and lighting of the live-action footage, which was
difficult to achieve with physical paintings. The introduction
of optical printers, which allowed filmmakers to layer
different pieces of footage on top of each other, made it
easier to combine live-action footage with matte paintings.
Digital matte painting as we know it today emerged in the
late 1980s and early 1990s with the advent of digital
imaging technology. The first major film to use digital matte
painting

Figure 1. Matte Painting.

Figure 1. Digital matte painitng

XXX-X-XXXX-XXXX-X/XX/$XX.00 ©20XX IEEE


was "The Abyss" (1989), directed by James Cameron.
The film's production company, Industrial Light and
Magic (ILM), developed a proprietary software called
"Cyclops" that allowed artists to create and
manipulate digital images in a way that was
previously impossible. Digital matte painting really
took off in the early 2000s with the rise of computer-
generated imagery (CGI). Films like "The Lord of the
Rings" trilogy (2001-2003) and "Avatar" (2009) made
extensive use of digital matte paintings to create vast,
detailed environments. The use of digital matte
painting has become so widespread that it's often
difficult to distinguish between what's real and what's
computer-generated.
In conclusion, the history of digital matte painting can
be traced back to the early days of cinema, where
filmmakers used physical paintings on glass plates to create
backgrounds for their films. As technology progressed, the
techniques and materials used to create matte paintings
evolved as well, leading to the development of digital matte
painting. Digital matte painting really took off in the early
2000s with the rise of CGI, and today it is an essential tool
in the filmmaking process.
3. METHODOLOGY
Digital matte painting is a process used in the entertainment
industry, particularly in the film and television industry, to
create visual effects and enhance the environments of the
scenes. Digital matte paintings are essentially digital
paintings or composite images that are created to depict
landscapes, backgrounds, or other elements that are difficult
or impossible to create in reality. Here is a general
methodology of digital matte painting for the entertainment
industry:
Pre-production: This phase involves gathering
information about the project, including concept art,
storyboards, and reference materials. The digital matte
painter will also meet with the director and other members of
the visual effects team to discuss the project's requirements.
Planning: In this phase, the digital matte painter will
create a plan for the matte painting, including the
composition, lighting, color scheme, and other visual
elements. They may also create a rough sketch or thumbnail
to help visualize the final product.
Modeling: In some cases, the digital matte painter may
need to create 3D models of the environment or elements in
the scene to ensure accurate perspective and lighting. This
can be done using specialized software such as Autodesk
Maya or Cinema 4D.
Painting: Using digital painting software such as Adobe
Photoshop, the digital matte painter will create the final
image. They will use a combination of painting techniques,
including photo manipulation, digital brushes, and other
tools, to create a realistic and seamless image.
Compositing: Once the matte painting is complete, it will
be composited into the final scene using specialized software
such as Nuke or Adobe After Effects. The matte painting
may be combined with other visual effects elements, such as
live-action footage, 3D models, or particle effects, to create
the final image.
Feedback and revisions: The digital matte painter will
receive feedback from the director and other members of the
visual effects team and make any necessary revisions to the
matte painting. Final output: Once the matte painting is
complete and approved, it will be rendered at the appropriate
resolution and format for use in the final product, whether it
be film, television, or other media. Overall, digital matte
painting requires a high level of skill and expertise in both
traditional art techniques and digital painting software. The
process can be time-consuming and challenging, but the final
result can be breathtaking and essential for creating
immersive and visually stunning environments in film and
television.
4. CLASSIFICATION OF DIGITAL MATTE PAINTING
Digital matte painting can be classified in several ways,
depending on the criteria used for classification. Here are a
few possible ways to classify digital matte painting:
Based on the purpose or application:
Film matte painting: used in the film industry for creating
realistic backgrounds and environments for live-action shots.
Game matte painting: used in the video game industry for
creating 2D or 3D backgrounds and environments that the
player can interact with.
Advertising matte painting: used in advertising
campaigns to create compelling visuals for products or
services.
Based on the level of realism:
Photorealistic matte painting: aims to create a highly
realistic and believable environment, often by incorporating
photographic elements.
Illustrative matte painting: uses more stylized and artistic
techniques, and may not necessarily aim for photorealism.
Based on the tools and techniques used:
Traditional matte painting: uses traditional painting
techniques, such as oil or acrylic paints, to create the artwork.
Digital matte painting: uses digital tools and software,
such as Adobe Photoshop or Autodesk Maya, to create the
artwork.
Based on the process and workflow:
 2D matte painting: creates a flat image that is composited
into the shot or scene.
3D matte painting: creates a 3D model of the
environment that is then painted over to create a more
detailed and realistic look.
These are just a few examples of how digital matte
painting can be classified, and there may be other ways to
classify it as well, depending on the context and purpose.
5. Results
Digital matte painting is an essential tool in the entertainment
industry, particularly for creating environments,
backgrounds, and landscapes that are too expensive,
impractical, or impossible to shoot on location. It's used in
movies, TV shows, video games, and other media to create
realistic and immersive worlds that captivate audiences. The
results of digital matte painting can vary depending on the
skill and creativity of the artist, the complexity of the project,
and the tools and software used. However, some of the
benefits of using digital matte painting in the entertainment
industry include:
Cost savings: Using digital matte painting can save
production costs by reducing the need for expensive location
shoots or building elaborate sets.
Greater creative control: With digital matte painting, artists
can create and modify environments with greater flexibility
and control than traditional methods.
Time-saving: Using digital matte painting can save
production time by eliminating the need for extensive
location scouting or waiting for ideal weather conditions.
Improved realism: Digital matte paintings can provide an
unparalleled level of detail, texture, and realism, creating
immersive environments that transport audiences into new
worlds.
Seamless integration: With modern technology, digital matte
paintings can be seamlessly integrated into live-action
footage, creating a cohesive and realistic visual experience.
Overall, the results of digital matte painting in the
entertainment industry can be spectacular and transformative,
helping to create visually stunning and unforgettable worlds
for audiences to enjoy.
6. AI for Matte Painting
NVIDIA Canvas is a powerful AI-powered software that
allows digital artists to create and manipulate images using a
variety of tools and techniques. While it can be used for a
wide range of digital art applications, it is particularly well-
suited for matte painting. Matte painting is a technique used
in film and video production to create highly detailed,
photorealistic backgrounds and landscapes. It involves
combining multiple images or video footage to create a
seamless, composite image that appears to be a real-world
location. Matte painting is used extensively in the film
industry and is often used to create large-scale sets or
complex environments that would be difficult or impossible
to build in real life. NVIDIA Canvas can be used to create
the various elements that are combined to make a matte
painting. For example, an artist could use Canvas to create
highly detailed textures and landscapes that are then
combined with other images to create a composite image.
The AI-powered tools in Canvas can help simplify and speed
up the process of creating complex digital art, making it an
excellent choice for matte painters who need to work quickly
and efficiently. Overall, NVIDIA Canvas is a powerful tool
for digital artists and can be an excellent choice for those
working in the field of matte painting. It’s AI-powered tools
and intuitive interface make it a valuable asset for anyone
looking to create highly detailed and realistic digital art.
7. CONCLUSION
Digital matte painting is a technique used in the film and
television industry to create realistic and immersive
environments. It involves the use of digital tools to paint,
blend and composite various elements such as landscapes,
buildings, and props into a single image. One of the main
advantages of digital matte painting is its flexibility and
efficiency. It allows artists to create complex and detailed
environments quickly and easily, without the limitations of
traditional techniques. Additionally, it can be easily adjusted
and modified to fit the needs of a particular scene or shot.
Digital matte painting has revolutionized the film industry
by enabling filmmakers to create stunning and realistic
environments that were previously impossible to achieve. It
has become an essential tool in the production of many
blockbuster films and television shows. In conclusion,
digital matte painting is a crucial aspect of modern film and
television production. It has changed the way filmmakers
approach creating environments, and has opened up a world
of creative possibilities that were once unimaginable
REFERENCES
[1] Redford, A. and Anderson, E. F., 2022. Digital Matte
Painting - An Effective Undergraduate Assignment. In:
Eurographics 2022, 25 April- 29 April 2022, Reims,
France, 17-20.
[2] WRIGHT S.: Digital Compositing for Film and Video.
Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation. Focal Press,
2001. 4
[3] Hamus-Vallée, Réjane. 2015. Matte painting or the
quest for the perfect illusion. Analysis of the illusion
processes of a hundred-year-old cinematographic trick.
Hybrid. Revue des Arts et Médiations Humaines 2: 1