Matte Painting of Imaginary Worlds in Photoshop

Begin the course by getting to know artist Reha Sakar. He talks through the journey that saw him go from working in insurance to becoming a professional designer, along with the influences that inspire him and the work he creates.

Dive into what matte painting is and the benefits of the art form. Learn how to analyze a reference photo for things like lighting, shadows, and subjects. Then discover Reha’s tips for using Photoshop before looking at the importance of composition when creating a visual language.

Begin sketching your scene to establish the layout and mood of your painting. Find reference images to help develop your concept, then discover how Reha chooses the photos he uses based on the different elements they feature. Then explore how to make your painting look realistic.

Move on to the main features of your painting, beginning with the sky and shore. Reha shows you how to make an action and save it in Photoshop before moving on to the midground and foreground of your artwork. Learn how to seamlessly integrate a Viking ship into your scene, then experiment with perspective lines, color correction, and more.

Incorporate the castle and atmospheric elements like mist and haze into your painting to create depth. Focus on the finer details including trees, the shields for your ship, waterfalls, and light. Then put the finishing touches to your work, ready to be shared with the world.