A_P_TPC_Vol11_2015_

PERFECT MATTE PAINTING FROM PHOTOS

PERFECT MATTE

PAINTING FROM

PHOTOS

L

earn how to use Photoshop to create a

fantasy scene with this tutorial. We’ll start

with a sketch. Try to experiment with

different ideas and choose the most

interesting option. It’s important to think through all

the details before you start work. We will combine

fragments of photos to create a background and

unique objects to create a fantasy environment.

Creating scenes isn’t easy when you’re working with

different source photos. You will need to use colour

correction elements and effects so that the image

PREPARE THE BACKGROUND

USE MULTIPLE IMAGES TO CREATE A BACKGROUND

becomes attractive and convincing. You will also

learn how to manually create sunlight and shadows,

as well as achieve uniformity across all elements.

We will be using different tools, such as

selection tools, layer masks and adjustment

layers, colour corrections (Curves, Color Balance,

Selective Color and more) and brushes. Use a pen

tablet if possible – using a mouse will make the

process longer and more difficult. This tutorial

has been completed with Photoshop CS6, but you

can use most other versions.

01

CREATE THE SKETCH

The first step is to create a new document:

File>New, set document size to 2,950x4,200px. Then

create a sketch. At this stage it is important to make

a decision on composition and the location of all

objects in the scene. Think through all the details

before you start work; you will need to decide on the

overall colour of the image and light sources.

02

MAKE THE BACKGROUND

Open the image ‘IMG_02-1.jpg’ and cut the

mountains with a Lasso tool, and then move them

onto your scene and scale accordingly. Duplicate this

layer and modify the shape, remove borders around it

with soft Eraser tool, and merge into the scene. Then

select Image>Adjustments>Curves, lower the

contrast and add more blues and lower the saturation

using Hue/Saturation. Note that the further away the

object is, the less details you should see.

03

ADD THE SKY

Use images IMG_03-1.jpg - IMG_03-5.jpg

to create the sky. Cut out sky fragments and add

them to your scene. Then select

Edit>Transform>Warp and change their shapes as

needed. Now make the sky more consistent by

selecting Curves and adjust the brightness, contrast,

and colour for each element. Use the Eraser tool

with soft edges and Clone Stamp tool to eliminate

seams. Merge these layers and slightly darken the

upper portion of the image.

FROM IDEA TO FINAL

WORK IN

PROGRESS

Progress 1: Sketch the scene

Progress 2: Add basic objects

Progress 3: Final touches

NADEGDA MIHAILOVA

http://www.nm-art.weebly.com/

OUR EXPERT

Nadegda Mihailova is a digital artist

and creative retoucher from Russia,

specialising in environment

illustrations. Milhailova is currently

working as a freelance digital artist.

SOURCE FILES

All the photos used in this image can

be downloaded free via FileSilo

LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH

FRAGMENTS OF PHOTOS TO

CREATE A FANTASY SCENE