Hi!
This is my very first attempt at matte painting. Basic, I know, but I learn a lot!
Firstly, I am a 14 year old web designer/developer and I run a blog at http://www.harrynorthover.com/blog.
Here is the final image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/djnorthyy/3049933771/sizes/l/
Any advice, comments welcome!
Harry.
Hi Harry,
Welcome to CGtalk 
A promising start so far. The composition works well and leads the eye in the right direction.
I like the energy thing, suggests some kind of entity reaching out, reminds me a little of the film Mist. However on a technical note, this probably wouldn’t be apart of a matte painting, but added later in compositing.
The branches are well composed but maybe a little harsh in contrast, also the lighting is coming in from the wrong direction when compared to the lighting on the mountains.
The mist in the bottom right, should be behind the trees … looks like you’re trying to conceal the other trees … can still see the depth issue.
Over all perhaps a little too blue. Need to pull back some of the original colours, especially in the foreground to the right when the light should be hitting more.
Hope that helps a little, again; a good start 
Dave.
Hey djnorthyy,
Welcome to the forums. I wish I discovered matte painting when i was your age! Everything David said is spot on so I wont crit your work here. But since you are so young and just getting into this I can give a little bit of advice. One thing you will want to do is look through the posts for a lot of the matte paintings here and read the crits & replies that people give. You can learn a ton from not just what people post about your work but also what people post for other images as well. Also you will read a lot about what makes a good matte painter & cg artist all through these forums. Just remember to really learn and understand the basics.
I am looking forward to seeing some more work from you
keep it up!
Just might throw in there… maybe he meant he’s been in the web design business for 14 years and not 14 years of age? hm lol… just came into my mind.
Thanks for the comments! Totally agree with them, and will definitely take these into account with my next painting.
Welcome to the forums. I wish I discovered matte painting when i was your age! Everything David said is spot on so I wont crit your work here. But since you are so young and just getting into this I can give a little bit of advice. One thing you will want to do is look through the posts for a lot of the matte paintings here and read the crits & replies that people give. You can learn a ton from not just what people post about your work but also what people post for other images as well. Also you will read a lot about what makes a good matte painter & cg artist all through these forums. Just remember to really learn and understand the basics.
I have been browsing these forums for the past few months seeing what people are creating, and what they do right and what sort of mistakes are liable to happen. I get really inspired by what is posted on these forums. I also have the d’artiste Matte Painting book which is the biggest inspiration I could of wished for.
I love creating different worlds, and I can see so many different places in my head but I just can’t create them yet for real! This is what keeps me going.
Things i’m trying to learn now is basic perspective & lighting. I really get confused on the lighting and with school, matte painting has to take 2nd place 
.
Anyway, thanks for the replies. It’s a great inspiration!!!
Harry.
Just might throw in there.. maybe he meant he's been in the web design business for 14 years and not 14 years of age? hm lol.. just came into my mind.
Nope, they had it right. I am 14 years old. Check out my ‘About Me’ page on my site.
Anyway, I have made a few adjustments to the image. Here is what I came up with:
http://www.harrynorthover.com/images/Coming%20Home.jpg
I have tried to sort out the lighting, added a reflection to the lake and made the sky a bit more stormy. With the lighting on the moutains, I have tried to sort this out using Selective colour, but i’m not sure if it worked or not?
Harry.
Hellu Harry
Good start you have here. I had to agree with Everlite, with the mist issue, I see you have corrected it now. The trees at the front are still confusing on both sides. From the left I think you should just contrast them to really dark not overpaint with blue haze. It feels like they are further away with mountains. From the right side I don’t think the branches need to be that light (sunlight yellow?). You should decide actually if there is a second light coming from behind the scene or not.
I hope it can help you some. I love your early talent!
After this one I hope you can show us some more
Kerti
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