DIGITAL MATTE PAINTING: Exercises & Projects


Fig. 1. Winnie the Pooh

DIGITAL MATTE PAINTING: EXERCISES & PROJECTS

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23/09/2025 - 09/01/2026 (Week 1 - Week 15)
Irdhina binti Mazli Sham (0366894)
Digital Matte Painting - Bachelor of Design in Creative Media - Taylors University



TABLE OF CONTENTS:
  1. Exercises
  2. Projects
    1. Project 1: Invisible Set Extension (Pre-Production)
    2. Project 2: Invisible Set Extension (Production)
    3. Final Project: Thematic Matte Painting (VFX)
  3. Reflection


EXERCISES

There were several exercises given to help familiarise us with the concept of digital matte painting, as it was a completely foreign subject to some students. As per the requirements, we did exercises on:
  1. Perspective Studies (Landscapes and Interiors)
  2. Compositions
  3. Value Studies
  4. Sky replacements
  5. Virtual Plain Air
  6. 2.5D mattes
  7. Invisible Set Extensions



PROJECTS

Project 1: Invisible Set Extension (Pre-Production)

For Project 1, we were required to choose a film or series to base our continuous projects on and design at least three compositions to be used in the next project.

Film/Series Chosen: BBC Merlin

Fig. 2. Poster of Season 4 BBC Merlin

BBC Merlin is a 5-season TV series by the BBC surrounding Merlin the Wizard (Emrys) and his various adventures of protecting Arthur (Once and Future King) from harm while keeping his magic a secret.

The idea I had was to adapt one of the existing stories in the Arthurian Legend onto the worldbuilding and cinematography of BBC Merlin. The story I decided to use was Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Moodboard:

Fig. 3. Moodboard

Before starting on the composition sketches, Mr Kannan recommended we draw on overview of what the area looks like to give a better idea on how to compose. Since I am doing Sir Gawain's journey from Bercilak's castle to the Green Chapel, I decided to place the two buildings closeby since it was said to be a day's worth of walking.

Fig. 4. World layout

Based on the described layout, I proceeded with thumbnails. Most of them got the okay but I had to fix and refine some things such as perspective.

Fig. 5. Thumbnails

Then I did the actual sketches based on the thumbnails with refinements according to Mr. Kannan's feedbacks. Initially, I did sketches featuring the giants Sir Gawain passes by, which now that I think about it would have made a more interesting project as it showed the mythological aspect...

Sketches based on initial ideas:

Fig. 6. Initial sketch 1

Fig. 7. Initial sketch 2

Fig. 8. Initial sketch 3

Sketches based on chosen idea:

Fig. 9. Sketch 1

Fig. 10. Sketch 2
Fig. 11. Sketch 3

Alongside the sketches were also notes on how each composition would be filmed.

Fig. 12. Camera Plan 1

Fig. 13. Camera Plan 2

Fig. 14. Camera Plan 3
Final Outcome:



Project 2: Invisible Set Extension (Production)

For Project 2, we were required to do photobashing based on the three compositions made in Project 1. I had lots and lots of trouble doing this assignment in particular.

Base Photos Used:

Fig. 15. Base Photos

The photobashing was done on Photoshop as it had a wide range of photo editing tools. The main buildings (Bercilak's castle and the Green chapel) were done on separate files before being imported onto the compositions.

Fig. 16. Progress Screenshot
Fig. 17. Progress Screenshot

I was not satisfied with the results but Mr. Kannan just told me to focus on one and really refine it so it can be used as the final video later on.

Photobash Results:
Fig. 18. Photobash 1

Fig. 19. Photobash 2

Fig. 20. Photobash 3


Refined Composition:
Fig. 21. Final Photobash

Final Outcome:


Final Project: Thematic Matte Painting (VFX)

For the final project, we were required to make a 15-30 seconds video using the photobashing composition.
I started out by doing the 2.5D matte on Blender. Since I had plants in my composition, Mr. Kannan recommended I use alpha to extract that specific part so they don't look choppy.
Fig. 22. Progress Screenshot

Once I had everything set up, I recorded the video on Blender. I ran into a problem when rendering but I was able to solve it with the help of my sister.

Fig. 23. Progress Screenshot

Once I got the video ready, I moved on to After Effects to edit and add in the green screen video I needed.

Fig. 24. Progress Screenshot

However, I didn't like how the final outcome turned out so I decided to redo the entire video along with some adjustments to the composition to better fit the sketch I had, mainly the castle and time of day as well the addition of a knight to reference the actual legend.

Fig. 25. Progress Screenshot

Fig. 26. Progress Screenshot

Final Composition (Refined):

Fig. 27. Refined Composition

Final Composition (From Blender 2.5D Matte):

Fig. 28. Refined Composition from 2.5D Matte


Final Video Link:



Final Outcome:



REFLECTION

Experience: I have so many mixed feelings about Digital Matte Painting, I'm not really sure whether I like it or dislike it but what I can say for sure is I have big respect to the people who do the cinematography for games and films. It was definitely a fun experience though even if I faced a lot of problems during this module and having to take notice of realism was a hassle at times. 

Observation: Taking this module helped me notice details in live action films where it's like "oh that's matte painting" which is a nice addition to watching films. It makes me wonder the process behind each of them and how long it would have taken to complete such lengths, especially with movies such as the latest Avatar 3, which franchise is known for its impressive visual effects and cgi.

Findings: I think out of all the three projects, I had the hardest time with project 2 because I had a hard time trying to find the right images for the photobash which made me really frustrated and fed up with the entire project. Honestly the only saving grace that kept me going (other than passing this module) was the fact that the film I chose was genuinely my all-time favourite show and I was (and still am) really interested in the Arthurian legend.

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