This is the eighth instalment in a series of blogs that provide information on occupational roles that employers struggle to fill. In this article we take a look at the role of the matte painter.

There are regional differences in the skills and occupations where employers are experiencing shortages and throughout this series we will attempt to provide information on where the greatest demand for the occupations and skills exist geographically where there are significant regional differences.

What does a matte painter do?

Matte painters are artists working within the entertainment industry. They create digital matte paintings for use as visual background, foreground and mid-ground which either replace live action or enhance it.

How do you get a job as a matte painter?

An educational background in art and design, including some photography is the usual way into a career as a matte painter. This might be vocational or academic but will certainly include developing a portfolio of work as evidence of what you can do.

Having developed your skills in 3D software like Maya would give you an excellent head start too!

The skills you need to succeed as a matte painter

As a matte painter you would need a thorough knowledge of matte painting techniques including colour space, digital paint and photo realistic collage techniques. You would also need to have Photoshop skills and developed understanding of the rules of perspective. Matte painters work as part of a larger team and therefore the ability to communicate is essential as is the ability to work well as part of a wider team.

Average salary for a matte painter

The salary that you earn as a matte painter will depend on who you are working for and what you are working on as well as what stage you are at in your career / how good your work is. Average salaries for graphic designers / artists in the UK according to official labour market information are around £30,000 a year.