As you may or may not know, every background in every TF2 video of mine has been a deadass Garry's Mod screenshot, so of course I'm continuing the tradition for the new little short but I'm trying out some hand painted edits this time!
Adjusting contrast and color, adding lighting, "upscaling" low res textures, or flat out painting props away. The overall goal is to make the 2D characters feel more integrated with the background and less popping out which I think it does a little? I never did this for the original series but it seems like it does some good!