This demo reel with breakdown shows workflow details of my “Roman Harbor” digital painting, which can be used in feature film as a matte painting. Digital painting includes in itself integration of 2D and 3D elements, I use Photoshop and Maya.
I always start with sketch, and then I use it as a reference to create 3D elements, after 3D elements is completed and camera movement finalized, I start painting 3D elements over in Photoshop, all elements separated into layers, to have better control on colors, values, shadows, atmosphere etc. If it requires camera movement all layers can be easily composited in compositing software.

Shot 1:
- In the first shot I’m showing color image of final 2D digital painting which is animated in Z axis.
Shot 2:
- Then 2D image gradually vanished, and you can see all 3D elements that I build in Maya, this shot gives idea where 3D elements located and how they look, and most important it shows progress of how they look after applying 2D painting.
Shot 3,4,5:
-I’m showing 3D set and animated models, which I created for this project (view more descriptions in my portfolio breakdown images)
Shot 6:
-In this shot I’m showing, animated digital painting layers (animated for viewers purpose only), original artwork has more layers, with delicate details and different shapes, to work well during compositing stage and depend on camera movement.

-Final sketch and color studies details located in my portfolio page title: "Roman Harbor – breakdown”.
-Concept art, artistic workflow, historical R&D and inspirational details located in Blog tab: “Roman Harbor” – digital painting by Edward Grad”.
-High resolution matte painting plate view at:
http://www.vfxtalk.com/portfolios/showfull.php?photo=606

Thanks for watching,

Edward Grad © 2008
Digital Matte Artist