Digital Matte Painting Handbook cover

The only how-to guide dedicated to mastering the technique of digital matte painting!


Matte painting affords seamless integration between an artist's painting with live action film footage and allows for greater flexibility and creative input in the appearance of movie settings. This unique book reveals a variety of tools and techniques that are both industry and classroom tested and will enhance your existing skill set. Veteran author and instructor David Mattingly walks you through the process of creating a matte painting, starting with rough concept sketches, working out the perspective drawing, adding light and shadow, and texturing all of the elements in the painting. You'll gradually upgrade to using Adobe After Effects and Autodesk Maya in order to fulfill your matte painting vision.
  • Escorts you through the process of creating a matte painting, starting with the initial concept sketch, adding light and shadow, texturing elements, and incorporating motion and depth

  • Author is an experienced matte artist and teacher and shares a plethora of unique industry- and classroom-tested tools and techniques

  • Features helpful step-by-step instructions accompanied by screen shots and photos to illustrate the process of creating a matte painting
Whether you're creating a background for a studio production, independent film, TV commercial, or YouTube video, The Digital Matte Painting Handbook helps you successfully complete your project.
AmazonLink
ISBN: 978-0-470-92242-2 Paperback 416 pages April 2011

The Digital Matte Painting Handbook is the best book of its kind. Mattingly has created an insightful and inspiring resource for anyone wanting to get into digital matte painting.  
---Dylan Cole, matte artist, concept artist (www.dylancolestudio.com)

I recently came across an incredible book by David Mattingly called The Digital Matte Painting Handbook. This book is not just for matte painters. It's actually for anyone interested in great Photoshop illustration and retouching techniques.
It's truly refreshing to find someone like David who knows what he is talking about and also knows how to teach. This is an extremely dangerous combinations of talents. I wish I were so gifted.
You have to check out this book and learn from a true master.
––-Russell Preston Brown, Sr. Creative Director Adobe Systems Inc.

Copyright David B. Mattingly. All right reserved.