Digital Matte Painter, Sr (General Submission)

Company3•New York, NY

3d•$52 - $79•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Digital Matte Painter is responsible for creating high-end, photorealistic environments and landscapes that seamlessly integrate with live-action plates or stand as fully CG shots. This role requires a master-level understanding of traditional artistic fundamentals—light, color, and perspective—combined with advanced technical proficiency in 2.5D and 3D projection workflows. As a senior artist, you will establish the visual standard for sequences and bridge the gap between concept art and final compositing.

Requirements

Senior-level working experience in a high-end VFX studio environment, with a portfolio showcasing photorealistic environments for feature films.
Mastery of Creative Tools, expert-level proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Nuke, and Maya, and proven ability to build and troubleshoot complex 3D projection rigs and 2.5D setups.
An exceptional eye for detail and a deep understanding of atmospheric perspective, composition, and lighting.
A proven track record of meeting tight deadlines while retaining a high quality of work in a fast-paced environment.
A proactive desire to learn new workflows and integrate emerging technologies (experience with Houdini or Terragen is a significant plus).

Responsibilities

Environment creation and look dev
Designing and painting photorealistic digital environments, set extensions, and textures.
Create style frames and "paint-overs" to define the creative direction of a sequence for the rest of the team.
Complex 3D Projections, architect and apply sophisticated 3D projection setups within Nuke and Maya, ensuring matte paintings hold up across complex camera moves with correct parallax and depth.
Full-Cycle Execution: Manage the process from initial concept art and 2D painting to final "slap-comps" in Nuke, ensuring the technical integrity of all published assets.
Integrated Workflows: Utilize a mix of 2D and 3D techniques (including basic modeling and lighting in Maya) to create environments that are optimized for the production pipeline and render-efficient.
Consistency & Quality Control: Maintain a high aesthetic standard across all shots, ensuring color, lighting, and atmospheric continuity throughout the sequence.
Mentorship & Leadership: Provide guidance and feedback to junior and mid-level artists, helping them troubleshoot technical issues and refine their artistic eye.
Pipeline Contribution: Collaborate with the Pipeline and IT teams to refine DMP workflows and tools. Assist in the evaluation of new software or techniques (e.g., Houdini integration).
Interdepartmental Liaison: Coordinate closely with the Layout, Lighting, and Compositing departments to ensure assets are delivered in a way that maximizes flexibility in the final stages of production.
Documentation: Keep clear notes and documentation on projection setups or specific techniques used for a show to ensure ease of use for other artists on the project.