Magic Beans Farmhouse Challenge (2021) by Ian Vicknair

Work along with Ian Vicknair as he guides you through creating a paint-over from a 3D render, turning it into a concept piece and then a final matte painting. Use this series as a reference for creating your own entry for the Farmhouse Challenge.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• How to prepare and organize CG passes for a paint-over
• Techniques for concepting and blocking in a scene
• The process of creating a matte painting from a 3D base
• Methods for adding finishing touches and establishing a focal point

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic familiarity with Photoshop and the concept of layers.
• Tools: A computer with Photoshop installed.
• Hardware: A drawing tablet is recommended for painting.

📝 Description

This isn’t a dry, step-by-step tutorial. Ian Vicknair walks you through his actual workflow, showing you how he thinks through a matte painting from start to finish. You’ll see how he takes raw CG passes—provided by Tamas Gyerman from the MattePaint Academy—and turns them into a cohesive, atmospheric piece.

The course is broken into three clear phases. First, you’ll learn how to organize your renders and start concepting. Then, Ian gets into the actual paint-over, blending 3D elements with 2D painting. Finally, he covers the crucial finishing touches, specifically how to build a strong focal point that guides the viewer’s eye. It’s a practical, no-nonsense look at a professional pipeline.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Beginner to intermediate artists wanting to learn a matte painting workflow.
• Artists interested in combining 3D renders with 2D painting.
• Anyone looking to participate in the Farmhouse Challenge and needs a reference.

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Ian Vicknair is a MattePaint Mentor with extensive industry experience. He specializes in matte painting and concept art, and his teaching style focuses on practical, real-world techniques. He is known for breaking down complex workflows into clear, manageable steps.

🏁 Final Result

• A completed matte painting of the Magic Beans Farmhouse, ready for your portfolio.
• A solid understanding of the paint-over pipeline from 3D render to final image.