Subsurface Scattering
A rendering effect where light enters translucent materials like skin, wax or marble and glows from within. Henrik Wann Jensen and colleagues published a practical model in 2001, soon used to give Gollum lifelike skin.
Spot it
- 01Warm red glowing edges
- 02Soft translucent shadows
- 03Wax-like inner glow
Why it happens
Light penetrates the surface, scatters among internal particles and exits at a nearby point, softening shadows and tinting thin areas with warm color.
Recreate it in Pixio
Image edit prompt“Render the materials in this image with strong subsurface scattering: thin edges such as ears, fingers, leaves or petals glow warm red-orange when backlit, shadow boundaries soften and blush with translucent color, and surfaces look like wax, jade or skin lit from within. Soft rim lighting. Keep the original subject and composition.”
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