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Digital Matte Painter

Everything you need to know about the job of a digital matte painter including required skills, responsibilities and salary.

Image: Pixomondo

What does a digital matte painting (DMP) artist do?

A digital matte painter paints believable, photo-realistic environments and backdrops (interiors and exteriors) on a computer that seamlessly replaces live-action elements and/or improves existing live-action footage for films and TV series. They can also paint backgrounds for video games and game cinematics. Matte painters work with several types of content: live-action footage, digital still photography, CG elements, and digital painting software. 

Digital matte painter job description

Digital matte painting is a cross-disciplinary role that straddles the border of 2D and 3D and requires an understanding of working in both mediums. DMP artists will work closely with the CG environment artists with a strong commitment to teamwork and technical level. 

Role and responsibilities of a DMP artist in film and games:

  • Create digital paintings of photo-realistic environments based on concept art and/or photo reference

  • Understand all aspects of digi-matte workflow and know how to combine 2D and 3D elements

  • Experience working with shoot data; including photographic and reference data, HDRIs, and photogrammetry

  • Setup, image re-projection, and apply atmospherics and light effects.

  • Assist with and develop the look of a shot/sequence in liaison with the supervision team

  • Work in partnership with CG environment artists and compositors to ensure shots are delivered to the very highest standard

  • Seek out and build photographic reference material

  • Continue to become familiar with new tools, software, data, and other related technology

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How much does a digital matte painter make?

The average wage of a DMP artist is about USD 61,000 for a junior position to upwards of USD 100,000 for a senior position. (Source: Glassdoor)

$61k Jnr. DMP
$100k Snr. DMP

Skills required to become a digital matte painter for film and games

Along with being able to paint realistic backgrounds and environments, digital matte painters must have at least a basic knowledge of modeling, layout, lighting, rendering, and compositing, as well as a strong understanding of all facets of CG production including color theory and LUT. A strong understanding and sympathy for real-world materials and lighting are essential.

Film and game companies may look for the following skills in a DMP artist:

  • Strong knowledge of matte painting techniques including color space, digital paint techniques, and Photoshop file management (be it file format, bit-depth resolution, or appropriate layering of elements)
  • Demonstrable experience integrating matte paintings into 3D environments using Maya and/or Nuke
  • Possess a strong understanding of light, color, and perspective
  • Possess excellent artistic communication skills, as well as an excellent eye for detail
  • Flexibility to produce concept art from scratch
  • Solid knowledge and understanding of visual effects pipelines, production, and implementation
  • Good knowledge and ability with perspective, color, and value matching
  • Good knowledge of camera focal lengths and composition
  • Knowledge of film resolution and aspect ratios
  • A good understanding of 2D and 3D workflows within a feature film environment
  • Business Systems Experience
  • Expert working knowledge of Photoshop

What software and tools do DMP artists use?

Digital matte painters work with a selection or combination of 2D and 3D software, primarily working in Adobe Photoshop or similar.

Digital matte painters may need knowledge of a combination of the following software:

maya
TOUCH

Maya is a comprehensive 3D animation software used for creating detailed models, animations, and visual effects. It's popular in film, TV, and game development for its powerful tools.

3dsmax
TOUCH

3ds Max is a professional 3D computer graphics program for making 3D animations, models, games and images. It is developed and produced by Autodesk Media and Entertainment.

maxon_zbrush_box
TOUCH

Maxon ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting

photoshop
TOUCH

Adobe Photoshop is a raster graphics editor developed and published by Adobe for Windows and macOS. It was created in 1987 by Thomas and John Knoll

Nuke
TOUCH

Nuke is a node-based digital compositing and visual effects application first developed by Digital Domain and used for television and film post-production

mudbox
TOUCH

Mudbox is a proprietary computer-based 3D sculpting and painting tool. Currently developed by Autodesk, Mudbox was created by Skymatter

How to become a digital matte painter


Download software 

Download free digital art software like Gimp, Krita, Sketchpad, FireAlpaca, and ArtWeaver to start practicing. 

Practice 

Sharpening your skills helps you grow and become more confident and reliable. 

  • Develop a solid understanding of art fundamentals—line, color, light, values, shape, composition, and perspective.
  • Be observant of real-world references like people, creatures, and places which you can use as inspiration. 

Build skills

Build the skills companies are listing on job sites. For more support, enroll in a reputable course. CG Spectrum’s illustration courses include mentorship from award-winning industry pros, an industry-led curriculum, and career services. 

  • Learn how to interpret a brief and execute feedback
  • Regularly practice art fundamentals and digital painting techniques

Watch trends

Online tutorials, webinars, etc., can keep your skills fresh. 

Attend conventions 

Use conventions to network, meet likeminded people, and be inspired. This is how award-winning Illustrator Eric Wilkerson got his first professional book cover illustration commission after college graduation. 

Network

Networking is vital to getting your name and skills recognized and meeting experts who can offer advice or even jobs. Familiarize yourself with the industry and build your community—publishing houses, authors, and illustrators. 

Share work

Social media is great for showcasing work, building an audience, having your work shared by others, and seen by potential clients and collaborators. 

Presentation

Your portfolio is how you will market your services. Make your work presentable and user-friendly to impress prospective clients. For more information on creating a DMP portfolio, read these demo reel & interview tips first.

Collaborate

Know someone designing a game who needs character art? Collaborating with your peers is not only fun, but it can also help you create more polished work for your portfolio. 

Intern

Internships at VFX, game, or publishing studios can help you break into the industry. It’s one way to gain hands-on experience, network, and experience studio life. 

Join competitions

Practice your skills and create portfolio pieces by participating in contests on platforms like The Rookies and ArtStation.

For further info on the skills and qualifications that will help you become an illustrator, why not check out our comprehensive guide?

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Ready to Start Your Film & Games Journey?

Download our course guide to see how we can help you on your pathway to your dream career.

Tips to break into the matte painting industry

Your portfolio should show you understand the foundations of art while also establishing your own personal style. According to professional Illustrator Eric Wilkerson, your portfolio needs to demonstrate consistency while ensuring it’s tailored to the right audience.  Other tips include: 

  • Quality over quantity! Revise older work to meet your current standards
  • Only include your best. Work in progress is fine
  • Seek inspiration from professional artists’ portfolios
  • Center on one art genre for cohesion
  • If using a PDF, add chapters for easy viewing
  • Use a platform that allows you to update your work easily (e.g., ArtStation, The Rookies, or Behance)
  • Aim for a clean, intuitive, gallery-style website with enlargeable thumbnails
  • Don’t overcrowd your homepage —5 images max
  • Optimize your images and ensure they load properly
  • Present each piece with a brief explanation (concept, rationale, brief)
  • Show process, sketches, roughs, and reference
  • If necessary, create mockups of how your art would look in various formats
  • Triple-check for errors (layout, framing, spelling, etc.)
  • Get feedback from at least 3 mentors or industry pros before publishing
  • Feature both your commercial and personal art
  • Keep your ‘about’ page concise; it can be less formal
  • Share your finished portfolio on your social channels


Additional resources to help you get started as a DMP:

Ehsan-Ebrahimzadeh-Mentor-Spotlight

Industry Pathways

Ehsan Ebrahimzadeh, Head of Department for 3D Modeling at CG Spectrum, tells his story about how he broke into 3D Modeling and became a Senior Environment Artist at Bethesda Studios. From carving out his own game studies in his home country of Iran, to moving to the US to work on projects at Arcane and Bethesda Studios, hear Ehsan's best tips and advice for aspiring 3D modelers and what it was like to meet one of his industry idols face-to-face in a job interview.