This module will introduce students to the study of digital matte painting techniques commencing with rough concept sketches using Adobe Photoshop through to the creation of an original game concept environment.
Students will learn how to create/add perspective, create light and shadow, add texture and colour with a leading progression into the amalgamation of 2D and 3D design workflow.

Students will cover the following topics:

- Matte Painting Fundamentals.
- Fundamental art theory, including classic topics such as composition, story-telling, portraying emotion, lighting and colour.
- 1, 2, 3 Point Perspective and foreshortening.
- Value perspective, colour perspective, linear perspective.
- Separating of visual planes.
- Rapid digital colour sketching.
- Creation of depth foreground and detail.
- Psychology and semiotics of cultural environments.
- Colour management and workflow control.
- Environmental effects on form and engineering structures.
- 2D texturing techniques
- Physics, psychology of movement and action.

Digital Academy Forum
Adobe Suite
Graphics Tablets

3DTotal ed., 2011. Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop, 3DTotal Publishing.
Dusseault, Y., 2008. The Techniques of Dusso: Digital Matte Painting Fundamentals: No. 2, The Gnomon Workshop. (DVD)
Dusseault, Y., 2006. The Techniques of Dusso: Introduction to Digital Matte Painting: No. 1, The Gnomon Workshop. (DVD)
Dusseault, Y., 2008. D’artiste: Matte Painting 2: Digital Artists Masterclass 1st ed., Ballistic Publishing.
Mattingly, D.B., 2011. The Digital Matte Painting Handbook Pap/Dvdr., John Wiley & Sons.
Tonge, G., 2011. Digital Painting Tricks and Techniques annotated ed., IMPACT Books.

1 x 1 hour lecture per week
1 x 2 hour lab per week

Learning on all aspects of the module will be facilitated by lectures, tutorials, problem solving exercises and student centred learning.

Practical assignments using laboratory equipment and post production facilities will support the learning.

A Coursework comprising:-

Reflective log book (30%) equivalent to 2,000 words assessing Learning Outcomes 1 and 3
Associated practical work (70%) assessing Learning Outcomes 2 and 4

Create worlds that have never existed or are yet to be. In this module you’ll learn the skills necessary to draw, digitally paint and render concept art environments. Over the course of two semesters you’ll master perspective drawing, the secrets of composition, and how to use Photoshop to paint scenes that look polished and ready for further development in a games, visual effects or film pipeline.