02 May 2013

Sky Freight



















Here is the latest addition to my matte painting reel, built exclusively from my own photography taken in and around Vancouver.

This matte painting explores the idea that mankind has developed a technology that can manipulate and overcome gravity. However, the technology isn't terribly nimble, making its applications somewhat less glamorous than your average science fiction craft. 

There's something extremely appealing to me about impossibly large objects floating serenely in the sky. From Avatar's hallelujah mountains to the District 9 saucer, I've always been captivated with this idea. I'm not sure if it's the serenity, the primal urge to fly, or the thrill of vertigo in the back of my mind. Maybe a bit of all three.




17 comments:

  1. Great concept Matty! The Sky Freighters are awesome. Makes me think of that period at the beginning of last century when airships were the future. Awe inspiring and romantic but kind of ponderous and clumsy at the same time. There's always something that bugs me about the majority of near-future sci-fi concept art in that it always looks so slick and contrived.
    Keep up the great work man, can't wait to see the next piece!

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    1. Hey Nick,

      Thanks heaps for the encouragement.
      Yeah the enourmous airships were amazing. I wish they still existed so we could go on an aerial cruise! There's something about the round shapes of the envelopes that make them seem even more clumsy and ponderous than the actual physics I think. Like a jellyfish or a whale. And I agree with you about near-future sci fi. It's easier to imagine a world that is essentially like our own but with a few small additions. Don't worry, there will be more :)

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  2. Wow this is incredible! I really like the concept, the way you describe it seems like it can be totally believable. Composition is great too. I really get a sense of scale and epicness in the piece! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Jonathan, all the positive feedback fuels the next one :) Much appreciated!

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  3. Super-nice man! I very much enjoy that colour palette and the low angle of light. I'm gonna hafta come drink some of that Canuck beer and see if I get similar fantastic results!

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    1. Cheers! Drinking a beer with you again would be a fantastic result. You're about to get mail :)

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  4. kathleen Duff03/05/2013, 07:12

    Awesome as always.

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  5. Wow Matt that's an awesome painting. Love the 'looking up' angle (is there a proper term for that?) and love the floating container ships.

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    1. Hey thanks Jess,
      I would call it a low angle shot, but I'm not sure if that's 'proper'. Thanks for the support :)

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  6. Hmmm, well your perspective is perfect... the lighting magnificent... the palette stunning... the composition captivating... but your boats are all up in the sky instead of floating on water as god intended them, so I'd consider this a do-over.

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  7. I know that feel with loving massive machine floating above, and I like what you've done with it!
    You doing some mean grinding over there in the photochops bol!

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  8. Very beautiful!!!! The lighting and everything!
    The only missing thing is a giant cow destroying the city...

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    1. Hey thanks Frankie. Maybe I could get you to do that part for me. I always get stuck on the udders...

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