A (98)

04

ADDING RIM LIGHTS

Use the normal CG layer as an illumination

layer. Desaturate it by selecting Hue/Saturation from

the adjustment menu. Next, with the layer still

selected, press Cmd/Ctrl+I to invert it. Select Gamma

Curves (Cmd/Ctrl+M), and adjust the curve until you

get a black image with a glow around the border. Go to

Color Balance (Cmd/Ctrl+B) and tint the layer with

Cyan and Blue. Then double click on the layer and set

the blend mode to Screen. This will create a blue rim

around your character to simulate the moonlight. Use

the Eraser tool to eliminate areas that aren’t lit.

03

BLOCKING SHAPES IN

Create basic outlines for the backdrop. Keep in mind that the main focus is on the character. However,

the world a character lives in is what makes the scene believable, as it provides a sense context and location for

the events being depicted. Loosely block in basic shapes and colours for the snowy mountains, skyline and

foreground. Keep the colours and shapes interesting, forcing the eye into the distance and conveying a sense of

grand scale. You will use these shapes as guides for detailing and texturing by integrating photographic assets.

The world a character lives in is what makes the scene

believable, as it provides a sense of context

CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT

CINEMATIC COMPOSITION

01

CINEMATIC COMPOSITION

Set-up your work area

according to the specifications. Add extra

padding space around main elements to

allow for cropping. It’s useful to set up

your layers in groups, keeping

characters, environmental elements,

adjustment layers and the backdrop

separated, to easily readjust if needed.

For this tutorial, we will be using a

cinematic widescreen, double fold-out

format at 300 dpi – a size big enough for

posters and magazine inserts.

02

MANAGING CG LAYERS

Import all character CG

layers into your composition,

stacking the layers in the necessary

order. Start with the colour pass and

proceed with two copies of occlusion,

one normal layer, and a reflections

layer. Double click on the first

occlusion layer and set its blend

mode to Multiply. Repeat the same

step for the second copy and set the

blend mode to Overlay. Finally, set

the reflections layers blend mode to

Screen. Adjust the opacity of each

layer to achieve the desired look.

BUILDING A CHARACTER

WORK IN

PROGRESS

Progress 1: Initial layering

and compositing

Progress 2: Setting up the

main composition

Progress 3: Adding details

to the character

3D AND PHOTOSHOP