Cavematty Cavematty

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.




Read More
Cavematty Cavematty

Environment Update

Here's where I got to with the first of the two environment thumbnails I liked. You can already see how the piece has changed a bit, though I'm not sure I'll manage to leave it alone as it is. The main difference is that I decided to fracture that large central island into several parts. Was it a good idea? I often have a tendency to want to add more detail into the simpler or flat graphic areas. These areas are important to a picture having variety and reading clearly, so it's important to have them though. So tell me your thoughts...


Read More
Cavematty Cavematty

Speedy Environment

My girl and I have been excitedly planning a trip to China. We are very excited to go and see some of the real environments that inspired the fantastic Hallelujah Mountains in James Cameron's Avatar. Especially Huang Shan (Yellow Mountain), near Shanghai which was recommended by my friend and colleague Aaron Beck as an absolute must see. You can see the inspiration clearly coming through in this pic :)

I have also been looking at the likes of Kekai Kotaki, James Paick and Levi Hopkins lately. Great pics pouring out of those guys on a regular basis. Inspired me to have a crack at a speedy "concept-art" styled piece. Came together fast when I was happy to lay in photo textures - more like I would do at work. And yes, I did the total cliche flock of birds :P Concept art baby!















Read More

Latest posts on instagram:

Today a new project was announced - an animated MTG series coming to Netflix and Bardel will be working on it. I started playing magic at the beginning of high school, when I saw some kids playing in the library. I fell for the art, and grew to love the complex, elegant and ever evolving puzzle that magic is.  Revised (3rd Edition) was still on shelves back then, and I remember collecting the awesome painted comics for sets like Ice Age. I still have them stored away.  While I stopped playing for various periods I have always come back to MTG. I've played several of the apps and games they released... but it was when I learned about EDH and WOTC began releasing the Commander precons that I got back into tabletop magic. Now I'm all in all over again. For all those intervening years, while I put away my hobbies to focus on my craft and career, it remained a goal to come full circle and create some art for the game that has given me so much. Needless to say this project is a very exciting announcement for me :) - - - - - - - - - - #mattyrodgers #cavematty #mtg #magicthegathering #wotc #bucketlist #animation #bardelvibes
Throwback Thursday to another matte painting from 'The Adventures of Puss in Boots". This was the newly aquired residence of a rowdy ogre. While doing his best to act the part of a noble, he was constantly battling with his base nature, which involved the urge to smash and eat every guest. A fun episode and a fun painting. Art directed by @ushio18. - - - - - - - - - - #mattyrodgers #cavematty #throwbackthursday #tbt #animation #netflix #dreamworks #mattepainting #spooky #ominous #architecture #art #artistoninstagram #illustration
"Hi, I'm Lesanyev, a slim albino Triton and level 3 grave cleric. I enjoy long walks along the ocean floor, laying the undead to rest once more, and extended pontifications on the importance of balance. If you think you're a match get in touch with Titiana at the Ravenhatch Tavern in Silvercrest". - - - - - - - - - - #mattyrodgers #cavematty #art #artistoninstagram #dnd #d&d #dungeons&dragons #dungeonsanddragons #oc #mermay #mermay2019 #merman #mermaid #workfam #squad
What if The Dragon Prince was a space opera, and Callum was a star wizard?  May the fourth be with you everyone! Or if you are day late in posting like I am, I learned there is always 'Revenge of the fifth'! - - - - - - - - - - #theDragonPrince #DPR #MayTheFourth #MayTheFourthBeWithYou #MayTheFourth2019 #RevengeOfTheFifth #Cavematty #MattyRodgers #fanart #anime #AniMay #SketchADayMay #SketchADayMay2019
A sketch based on a painting by @benjaminbjorklund. If you dont know his stuff do your eyeballs a favour and give him a follow. I've been meaning to do some studies of his approach for a while so here ya go. Also a mermaid for May. - - - - - - - - - - - #mermay #sketchaday #sketchadaymay #sketchadaymay2019 #cavematty #mattyrodgers #bath #bathtub #mermaid #topless #art