Andrew Cunningham | Senior Digital Matte Painter & Environment Artist

Cinematic Environments for Feature Animation & Visual Effects

Art has been a part of my life since childhood, and my passion for painting led me to a career spanning more than 15 years in animation and visual effects.

As a Senior Digital Matte Painter and Environment Artist, I create immersive cinematic environments for feature films and animation. Grounded in traditional art and design fundamentals, my work combines composition, color, lighting, and atmospheric perspective to bring believable and imaginative worlds to life.

Whether crafting photorealistic digital matte paintings, extending complex environments, or contributing to visual development through concept art and paintovers, I focus on the interplay of light and form to create convincing depth, atmosphere, and a cohesive cinematic experience.

My career in visual effects began at ImageMovers Digital in California, where I worked on Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Mars Needs Moms. Contributing alongside talented artists and learning from experienced mentors helped me refine my craft and deepen my understanding of cinematic storytelling.

I went on to join the creative team at Aardman Animations in Bristol, UK, contributing to Peter Lord’s Academy Award-nominated feature The Pirates! Band of Misfits. This experience further broadened my perspective on visual storytelling and the distinctive artistic approaches that bring animated worlds to life.

After moving into the Canadian visual effects industry, I worked on films including R.I.P.D. and reunited with former colleagues to create matte paintings for Robert Zemeckis’ The Walk.

At Sony Pictures Imageworks, I contributed to acclaimed productions including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, winner of both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature. My work across animation and visual effects has also included Men in Black: International, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Netflix Animation’s The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

Other projects include Warner Bros. Animation’s DC League of Super-Pets, the musical comedy Spirited, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, the suspense thriller Lou, and the fantasy adventure Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

I’m grateful for the opportunities, collaborations, and experiences that have shaped my career. Painting has always been more than a profession to me; it’s a way to explore ideas, tell stories, and create worlds that invite people to see things differently. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned with fellow artists and hope to encourage others to develop their own creative voices and pursue their passion for art.