What is Matte Painting in Movies — Definition and Examples

What is Matte Painting in Film?

Matte painting in film explained

Although matte painting has undoubtedly evolved over the history of cinema with advancements in technology, the principle of it still remains. Let’s take a look at the matte painting definition to better understand its function in film.

Types of Matte Painting

History of matte painting in film

The art of matte painting has been used in filmmaking for over a century. It was developed as a cost-effective alternative to building large sets. As the scope and vision for films outgrew their budgetary limits, alternative techniques like these were essential.

During this time, artists would paint backgrounds onto large sheets of glass using oil paints and brushes. These paintings would then be placed behind actors on camera and silhouetted in order to create stunning environments.

In the 1950s, matte painters began to use pieces of cardboard cutouts to use for foreground elements such as trees or buildings. This method allowed them to add additional layers of detail and texture without having to build physical sets or models from scratch.

An alternative technology also emerged called keying or chroma key. This is what most people know as green screen or blue screen compositing.

The advent of digital technology has had a tremendous impact on this technique. With the invention of programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and 3D Studio Max, digital painters could now manipulate photographs or pre-existing artwork and combine them with other elements such as 3D models and special effects to create believable worlds for films.

Here's a video breakdown from Corridor Crew on how this technique works with a tutorial on how to do it yourself in After Effects.

This method is much more efficient than traditional matte painting. It also offers a degree of precision that was not available before with traditional methods. Digital tools allow for minor adjustments and alterations after the initial painting is completed. Additionally, artists are able to save time by using pre-made templates or stock images instead of starting from scratch each time.

Matte painting has been a staple of filmmaking since the early days of Hollywood, but it has evolved significantly over the years. Let’s take a look at the advantages both in past cinema and in its evolved form today. 

Using simple techniques like adding lighting effects, shifting perspective, blurring edges and blending elements together, painters are able to craft stunning and detailed scenes.

Versatility and scalability of matte paintings to create unique visuals

This technique offers an incredible degree of versatility and scalability, making it a great choice for creating unique visuals with limited resources. It can be used to create anything from large-scale environments and sweeping landscapes to complex characters or even abstract pieces of artwork. 

Additionally, matte paintings are infinitely scalable — meaning they can be adapted easily to fit any size screen or environment, from small smartphone displays all the way up to IMAX theaters. With the combination of its unmatched visual fidelity and flexible scalability, matte painting is one of the most powerful tools in any filmmaker’s toolbox.

Creates an “illusion” which can be used as a storytelling tool 

Matte painting provides a unique storytelling tool — the ability to create an “illusion.” By combining various elements from different sources and digitally manipulating them, matte painters are able to craft seemingly real scenes that are custom-designed for the story they’re telling. 

This allows filmmakers, video game developers, and other creatives to explore any kind of scene without having to worry about budget or practicality. From creating vast worlds full of intricate detail to designing imaginative characters and abstract spaces, matte painting gives creativity the freedom to go beyond the limits of reality.