Dubrovnik Matte Painting, Patrick Jensen (2D)

[Ra1Der]

how do you get it to look like a painting?!

[MoonVisionStudio]

I want to live there! Awesome!

Jose

[bluka]

Yea, it's realy awesome dude

[Atwooki]

Gorgeous!
Clouds a little heavy on the right (near skyline), perhaps. Otherwise beautifully put together :)

A.

[ICM]

Beautiful Composition, I'm curious too. It does look more like a painting.

[habashart]

Wonderful work on details, Oh I wish I could do somthing like that. may I ask if you could post the source photographs, just for learning needs.

[Trog]

I like the dark clouds in the distance. They add a kind of romantic quality to the painting.

I would like to know how you achieved such a painterly look too.

[neutronic]

nice. congratz

[stickyblue]

stunning work as usual Pat ! I cant wait to see the upcoming ones ! :-D

[cg219]

wow Thats great. What exactly is a Matte painting?

[Pavlovich]

the jensen!!

as always

the greatest

see you around mang

the p(avlovich)

[cheeseboypaul]

thats an awesome matte painting

oh and cg, matte paintings are sort of like fake backdrops for movies and such, like mount doom in lotr, whenever it was really far in the background, chances are it was a matte painting. Another example is the last shot in raiders of the lost arc with the crap load of boxes.

[danielkenobi]

COuld you post some wip I realy would like a small review of how it was done :buttrock:

[rebo]

This is a really intriguing image, everywhere i look i find some nice detail and then Look out and marvel at the whole. Youve really captured a mood a happyness in nature. I like how we see buildings but no people, it kind of feels like a town sleeping but just about to wake up and face the day.

I would agree that the clouds are a bit strong on the right. And also there is something odd about the perspective, i cant quite put my finger on it, it kind of gives the town a ethereal and alsmot floaty feel. Maybe it was a happy accident or just my eyes, but it really adds to the compisition and i dont think you should try to change it at all.

Just perfect. 9/10

[Tonsen]

Thanks for the comments! That's a good one Atwooki/rebo. They do seem a little heavy. Good eyes.

I'll put together some process soon. It sure went through some changes until evolving into the final above, which is prolly why it has the painted look. Habashart: You can click the link in the top post to get to the original "plate", which is the starting point/source photographs. Anything that's not in those photos was 90 percent painted, 10 percent rubber stamp and photos. That's where the fun is - trying to blend photograph into paint. I'll get some close-ups posted soon.

Thanks!

[lapinstudios]

stunning landscape!

[AdamT]

Whew! That's gorgeous.

[oxyg3n]

Wow this is really cool, nice work.

[avalon]

so beautiful work

[a1ph0r]

Amazing :eek:, incredible skill there :D!

[xiaoyi]

wow~

nice.great job.:thumbsup:

[Panupat]

Over all looking nice. The vanishing plane is bothering me tho, from the iseland it looks like our eye level should be a lot lower.

[Ollarin]

HOLY FREAKING HELL!

That's insane!

All i have to say is, enjoy your award. :thumbsup:

[jsteel2001]

I was looking at the header, and then I was like, hey... wait a minute... I've seen that... sure enough your painting got onto the header. Awesome job man. :buttrock:

[andreasrocha]

Drooling...

[phoenix]

lovely and extremyl nice. .. can u please give some more info on how you managed to make this image....

[HenningK]

Whew. (respectful whistling noise)
Beautiful. Im gonna try and manage a nitpick even so.
It seems weird that the snowy mountain range ends so abruptly behind the midground central island. The perspective and horizon line seems different for the mountain range than for the rest of the image. Its as if that part is a tableau, a different image, projected like a dream onto this one.
-henningk

[unicron]

Awesome work as always Pat... but shouldn't you work on your thesis?..... heh heh, kidding man

Rock on Dude

[Tonsen]

Very poetic Henning, and a valid nitpick. I had to have repainted that section at least seven times. I purposefully kept it looser to focus more on the foreground elements, but I agree it is a bit more dreamy than the rest. Ah well, heh. Maybe I'll get inspired one day to see if I can remedy that.

As far as a short explination of process, I set up the composition, and the intent to replace the castle. That was my main goal. Seeming the photos together is the first step, then painting down all the modern elements, (boats, houses, etc) is the next step. Then I adjusted the overall pallete, and began to make the lighting consistant. That was a huuuge challenge. In the original photos, the sun backlights the left photo, and side lights the middle one. Hence the major repaint of the left portion of the painting, to match the castle's island. I usually work on layers set to normal, once I'm happy with a section, I might adjust the color/saturation of the entire image again to get more consistency or change up the mood. Furthering it by adding more adjustment layers, color effects, etc. But mainly, I'll get back in and make a new normal layer and paint more. I'll get some high-res shots up soon. Must get some sleep first, heh.


Thanks all for the comments. It's very inspiring to get back to the brush!

- Jensen

[orvski]

Hey Tonsen, first off I wanna say this is an excellent work, however there is just 1 thing that striked me when I first saw the picture.. I'll try to explain it..

If you focus on the island with the castle, and then change focus on the whole image, you'll notice that it seems like the mountains and ocean farther behind the island with a castle are like on a higher plane.. It gives off the effect that as you look farther away, the land there is going up and above the horizon instead of just normally going far and fading away..

Ok so im not good at explaining it.. but I thought i'd try since I noticed it right away when I first saw the image..

I tried covering the painted mountains on the right, and it made the picture look better in my eyes.. then I tried covering the mountains in the left, keeping the castle and the mountains on the right, and now it looks weird..

So it looks as if its that mountains on the right thats causing the weird look to me, and now looking at it, it doesnt have enough detail to tell where the mountain meets the sea. Based on looking at it comparing to the mountains in the center, farthest away from the viewer, it looks as if it its on line with part of the mountains on the right, but then again theres is very little detail there that I think ruins the perception..

Anyway good job, sorry I cant explain with words very well haha

[dafonz]

I really like this piece. Its interesting that you've used photographs and yet it feels so much like a painting.

[alexyork]

wouldnt look out of place in the next LOTR or the next Myst game. very nice stuff :)

[Tilstrom]

Magnificent work, I love this. :D

[ervine]

Wonderful!!

[mackster]

Incredible work! Great detail! LOVE IT! :thumbsup:

[Oogst]

Can you post a more high-res version? It looks so cool!

[Frenkie]

Its amazing! You perfectly mixed the to kind of water, the buildings and the BG is also beautiful!

[Synthetic Rayne]

Beautiful Work, MR JENSEN!

you rock my socks!

[webshot]

So this is basically a photo-manip? It is still excellent but I thought it was a sketch from scratch. Good job tho man.

[jsandoval]

Excellent matte. I´m really amazad. I am a tropical guy, but if there are heavy snow in back mountains...a little bit of snow could be in the foreground?

[dave247]

what?!? how in the hell??

how did you make that water in photoshop? How can ANYONE do anything like that in photoshop?? ever??

I demand a work in progres!

[Tonsen]

Hopefully these pics will help clarify some of the process. (I'll have to post twice, because of too many images)

The red on the right is a mask I painted to take out the trees from the background.
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0014_Layer%2022.jpg

http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0013_Layer%206.jpg

So here's the first rough composite. Being happy witht he general composition, cleaning it up begins...
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0012_Layer%205.jpg

So now the boats and houses are gone...and a castle has began to take shape. Right now, the castle is half photo/half paint.
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0011_Layer%204.jpg

I had to get rid of the photo blue look of the above image, which resulted in below.
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0010_Layer%203.jpg

After analyzing what needed to be done, and getting some great feedback, below shows in blue, what's in the above image, and in yellow/red, what was then painted. The treeline was suggested to be lowered, and you can see those changes below.
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0009_Layer%201.jpg

And here's the result:
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0008_Layer%2020.jpg

Now it gets interesting. Huge changes from the above to below. The left side has been completely wiped out and repainted. A new sky was important and painted over. Overall color shifts and adjustments....just fun experimenting.
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0007_Layer%2025.jpg

A few castle adjustments, cloud revisions, and color shifts - also was in a different mood when I did the above and below color changes. The richness above is an interesting direction. I kind of like it more, but below suggests a more possible environment.
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0006_Layer%2027.jpg

[Tonsen]

Below are few close-ups. 100% views. So you can see the brushstrokes, revisions, etc... It's a bit more than just a photo manip, :)
http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0005_Layer%2028.jpg

http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0004_Layer%2033.jpg

http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0003_Layer%2034.jpg

http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0002_Layer%2030.jpg

http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0001_Layer%2031.jpg

http://www.metavisuals.com/Matte/Jensen_prog_0000_Layer%2032.jpg

Hope that helps. I was meaning to create process pics, so I'm glad you asked for em :)

Cheers!

- Jensen

[JBoskma]

A thing of beauty! The settings and colors somehow remind me of Hogwarts from the last Harry Potter movie.

[rebo]

I thought you painted it all, regardless its a beautiful work, but i am not as amazed as i would be if you had painted it all by hand..

I dont think it detracts from the final impression considering the original intent , as you state it was a matte painting and i understand these techniques are used alot in professional matte painting.

[HenningK]

Very poetic Henning
Well, youre the one who painted it :) (the snowy mountain range anyway).
Thanks for the very informative and fascinating WIP posts.
-hen

[Oogst]

Interesting way of working, especially as you really made the image your own by changing so much. Still: can you post a more high-res version of the total pic? For instance on double resolution or even higher? I'd like to see it in more detail. :)

[Apipe]

hi Jensen,
this is really beautiful piece,i love it.
However, the perspective for the image seems really off.
In my opinion, you may need to check the horizon line for each object,choose one whatever you like,and snap the other objects to the same horizon line.remember There is no second horizon line in our planet.Then, you really should decide how many vanishing-points you want ,1,2 or 3. Don't let the resources confine you,and don't confuse the viewers.Sometimes,you can use "atmospheric or aerial perspective" .Sometimes you can just cut out the strange part of image.And,...think over the size of objects,the castle may too small if compare to trees and rocks.

[ambas]

stunning work! i like it a lot :thumbsup:

[Herrick]

All the rocks, plants and the castle is very well done.

I spend ten minutes looking at the image again and again. Some people say the clouds at the top right corner is a bit heavy, but I find it alright.

I like the relections on the water, that's very nice.

[exnihilo]

It was a thing of beauty watching that process.

Thanks Tonsen

[i_hcl]

never see so beautiful print how did u do

[digitalhadz]

very nice detail, excellent job!

[I-NetGraFX]

Congrats to your choice award! :applause:

[MKStudios]

Simply amazing work! I really appreciate you posting the working progress pictures and the variations of the original. This is apparently a very useful skill to develop in digital matte painting, especially if changes in mood or atmosphere are required for the shot.

What would really sell it is to drop out the water and comp in real moving ripples and a little flock of birds winging across the cliff of the castle. But that is a job for After Effects.

Looking forward to seeing more of these from you!

[darkeyedz]

WOW!!!The greatest picture,nice work and reality.:eek:

[habashart]

Dear Mr.Jensen,

now

after I've seen the original plate, I 'm keen to know how'd you do it? please post more images for us to help us understand the technique.
now I love the painting more. Atwooki is maybe right about the clouds, although they should be effected less by the sun key light - and they are - but being heavy a little...well I see it good for the mood and it give a new meaning for the painting ( like a storm is coming or somthing) :).

[webshot]

Here you go folks here is some tuts on Matte painting. It really is not too hard just got to get good witht he various brush tools. LIke clone, heal, burn, dodge......And painting expertise of course. I used to be big into this. I am going to see if I can dig some up.

Matte tuts
http://perso.club-internet.fr/sebastien.gaucher/Tutorials/tutorials.htm

[greanspam]

this is just nuts, great job man! I love all of the detail in the clouds

[entymi]

very nice fantastic~!!
good work...

[martinnorris]

Impecable!
Just two comets:
In between the to rocks on the right, shouldnt there be more light?
Are the architectural buildings correctlly aligned? they seemed not to be, dont know if this is intentional.
Exelent work!!!
PS, Have you got any process pics of it?
M.

[Fahrija]

Very lovley picture

Is that a picture of Dubrovnik after the civil war or before?

[Tonsen]

Thanks for all the great reception, folks! I have a few more on the way soon!!

Fahrija - I took the picture of Dubrovnik last summer. Sure is an amazingly rich landscape. White marble streets, alleyways extending a mile up a hillside.

I highly recommend a visit, if you haven't seen it. :)

[Smartypants]

Very nice, inspiring work. I love your process. Some people might consider using photographs as "cheating" but I disagree. Being able to paint photorealistically is certainly a measure of skill, but if you want a photorealistic image, why not just take a photo? This process takes a photograph and pushes it farther, kicks it up a notch.

I'd like to see a full-blown tutorial on this or a similar image.

[WJT]

:thumbsup:
I think that the water wave compare the architecture is biger.

[Monzter]

Dude, this is so awsome!

[snovak]

Saweeeet. Thanks for going back and showing us the process! Very beautiful composition. Congrats.

[Spc]

OMG.

:eek:

[Wasurera]

Capri is lovely. You definitely captured the feel of it, while creating a space that is new and magical in its own right. Lovely work.

Did you visit Sorrento? It's also very beautiful. We (highschool senior trip 'we', so it was a large group of us) stayed there for a night before moving on to Capri. Italy is such a lovely place.

[photoeyes]

so great!haha i like it~

[ditchman]

wow looks so vast, makes me want to se the film it's intended for.

[Fred Heys]

keep up the good work......like the depth.

[Tom Johnson]

Hi, (this is my first post to this site, I am always laughing when people are overly critical on things example: I liked the whole film except Gandalfs beard was a bit too dark?!" Anyways i will try to be helpful (objective) if you are looking for serious comments regarding matte painting. Just wanted to post a comment on the matte painting, great composition, and mood ...
you are starting to get into too much detail in your background, it takes away from your center point of the main castle. the toughests thing in matte painting is being the silent artist , the book Invisible Eye is a good one the name says it all, in this matte painting, you are showing a castle so keep your focus on that and then fill in the rest and get out onto the next matte painting, if this is a concept art image you can go nuts as long as you have time you can add fantasy like backgrounds try and get a feeling out that will be put into the style of the art direction on a film or game ect. but being the invisible artist (matte painter) you want to sell the idea of your ifocus without being to over the top in areas that are not the focus otherwise it takes people out of the film and onto only your single image. Watch the entire sequence to see how your painting will also fit into and match the scene, this helps with seeing how you are matching lighting, and art direction.
You have the left side of the image as a photographed scene, the island matches the scale and photographed style but your background is taking on a different style and if you look at photographs the amount of detail in the backgrounds is very minimal. your time of day on the castle is a bit different than the rest of the image . also the scale of your waves infront of the castle give a different scale try adding some heavier waves at the base of the castle smashing on the rocks would give a bit more power to the castle as your center of interest. I saw you had the waves from your photographed reference try to not be forced or locked in on a decision because it is in the photo... control your entire image and use the photos for what you need them to do. keep up the strong work, keep thinking about what the light is doing !

[Tonsen]

Thanks for all the comments

Wasurera - Yes I was able to go to Sorrento on that trip as well. That inlaid wood is ridiculous! Italy sure is something else.
Fred - Thanks! I'm working on some new ones.
Tom - Thank you for the great analysis. It's much appreciated. I've learned so much by this painting. And with the comments here, I've only expanded that list. The Invisible Art has been collecting a little dust on the shelf there, heh...I shall have to remedy that.

Cheers!

- Jensen

[lanying]

very nice~~good work!

[goldfishy]

The waves feel too large and it throws the scale off for me.

[Trower]

There are times when you wish you had patience... I love this piece.

Whenever I go to a show or gallery showing and overhear some idiot saying that modern painters aren't up to the task, with the advent of technology only hindering it further, I'll think of pieces like this and smile to myself smuggly and knowingly.

Great work.

[Johnlittle]

There are times when you wish you had patience... I love this piece.

Whenever I go to a show or gallery showing and overhear some idiot saying that modern painters aren't up to the task, with the advent of technology only hindering it further, I'll think of pieces like this and smile to myself smuggly and knowingly.

Great work.

I think just that too.:thumbsup: This is a beautiful piece of art.:thumbsup:

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.