Subsurface scattering

Subsurface scattering is the main feature in the stylized/cartoon graphics. However, not only there: right now, I’m writing this article and looking at my own windowsill, where the sun’s passing through the leaves of orchids and illuminating the flowers with bright colors. I really love this effect, in my opinion this is one of the most beautiful properties of the material, and it’s invaluable for any style to master the art of conveying this property.

But it is in the stylized graphics that subsurface scattering plays a decisive role. A unique feeling of “richness” brightness, sunshine is built on this effect - a vibrating and lively feeling that cannot be achieved by turning up the brightness of the color palette to the maximum.

In reality, some materials have this property and some do not. Subsurface scattering behaves differently depending on whether the light passes right through the object or only shines through the upper “layers” - it depends on the degree of transparency of the object and its volume.

However, in reality, only a part of the objects has such an effect (roughly speaking, half). Many materials do not transmit light at all. The feature of stylized/cartoon graphics is that the effect of subsurface scattering can be used even on materials do not transmitting light in reality: for example, a faience mug.

To illustrate the importance of conveying material in stylized graphics, I’ve tried to find an object that would not need to be stylized in terms of proportions. This mug's shape and size quite fit the standards of stylization, so the role of color and materials becomes very clear. Let's check step by step:

• First, let's remove the details of the texture, which is not typical for stylized graphics (the so-called photo-texture, i.e. a surface with a large number of realistic details). I used a regular round brush with a slight diffuse effect in “finger” mode.
• Then I changed the color of the object: in stylization, we shift real colors along the brightness scale, increasing the proportion of color and making the object lighter as a whole.
• To make the color richer, I added the warm colors in the highlights, creating a “warm light-cold shadows” situation.
• And finally, it's time for our hero! Materials transmitting light usually do not create dark shadows, all their shadows seem to be filled with light - so I additionally highlighted the shadows using the “screen” blend mode. Then I emphasized the light of the material with the brush at several points.
• And finally, add glares and side light. Voila! Our mug is stylized!

Not all objects will transmit light equally, even in stylized/cartoon graphics. There are materials which transparency is at the discretion of the author (for example, wood, clay, fabric), and there are those that usually do not shine through (for example, stone or metal).

More useful information about drawing (both in cartoon graphics and other stylizations) can be found on my streams, which take place every Sunday (links are regularly published on the community wall), as well as in the group of our online ArtNest school.

May the Muse be with you!

Vera Velichko

CEO, Owl Studio