How to Create an Amazing Futuristic Matte Painting in Photoshop

Increase contrast using Curves.

Ctrl+Click on the channel. Click on the RGB composite channel. Press Ctrl+J to separate the selection.

Drop the sky into the composition.

Resize it vertically. Duplicate the layer and place above everything. Reduce the opacity if it is too dark or duplicate the layer if it is too light.

Now introduce some shadows to the composition. Use a soft brush.

Duplicate the building. Click on the base layer and press Ctrl+Shift+C to copy. Since it is far away in the distance it becomes less contrast. Lot of atmosphere involves. Use color correction tools to make it mix well in to the atmosphere.

Here I Added one more floating rock. I copied the middle rock and edited it. I painted mountain range in the distance on the horizon line.

Add a flock of bird using bird brushes.

Add a Levels Adjustment Layer at the very top in the layer stack. Adjust the mid tones. It affects the document as a whole. I am satisfied with the result. And it is time to wrap up things. Take a look at the final result.

Final Results

And that’s pretty much it. You can achieve great results by combining photos and paintig and taking it further by putting the tips and concepts into practice. Take a look at the final image.