>[!card|hero dark] > ##### Drawing scars on characters that look good. > ## Drawing Scars > This site is *non-profit*! You can support this website my donating to my *Ko-Fi* > Follow my *Ko-Fi* for notifications on major updates or new tutorials. It's **free**! > >[[About]] [[Contact Me]] [Ko-fi](https://ko-fi.com/E1E1VOW9) >[!grid] >>[!question|tag] **[[Home]]** > >>[!question|tag] **[[Tutorials]]** >[!infobox] Brushes Used > >- [[LY Realistic Ballpoint Pen]] >- [[Intoxicate Pencil Set]] > [!question|query] > >_From Tumblr_ >**queerasflux** > > I love the way you draw/paint scars. Do you have any tips and tricks? # <p class="at-mark">Method 1: Line Art</p> ### Drawing the Scars > [!columns|ruled] > > [!col|w3] > > Starting with a character, I use the same line art brush and lightly mark in each line and scar, ensuring that I follow the contours of the body/skin. > > > > I go lighter for scars made by more shallow wounds, and darker for scars made by deeper wounds. I will typically go lighter towards the ends of the scar, and darker in the middle, depending on the kind of scar. > > > > A good tip also, is to consider *what* caused each scar, and how the character gained each scar. It doesn't have to be too detailed, a simple explanation of 'a swipe of a sword' is enough, but it can help you to determine the shapes, angles, and depth of each scar. > > > >> [!tip] > >> For better, more realistic looking scars, try to vary your line weight, as well as trying not to make the scar lines look too smooth. In the example, you can even see some scar lines detach or don't form full lines, to give more of a 'jagged' and less clean appearance. > > > [!col|w7] >>> [!columns] >>> >[!col] > >> > ![[Drawing Scars-1787043066543.webp]] > > > > > > >[!col] > >> > ![[Drawing Scars-1787043073530.webp]] > [!columns|ruled] > > [!col|w3] > > > [!tip] > > > To add a bit more depth, I like to add 'notches' where the scars meet the silhouette of the character, adding them typically onto the more deep scars. > > > > > > It adds more of a sense of depth and severity to the scar, with the more pronounced the 'notch' is and the more it deforms the surrounding skin and muscle, the more prominent and 'gruesome' the original wound will seem to have been. > > > [!col|w7] > > >[!columns] > > >>[!col] > > >>![[Drawing Scars-1787043303990.webp]] > > > > > >>[!col] > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787043309926.webp]] ### Colouring > [!columns|ruled] > >[!col|w3] > > The last bit is about adding colour to the drawing. > > > > You can leave the line art as-is for the scars, especially if they're lighter, more shallow ones; or, you can go in with either a different colour (I usually go lighter or darker than the skin tone), and shape out the scar a bit more on your colour layer. > > > > You can play around with the colour, width, and opacity of the scars on the colour layer, making them more or less pronounced as you see fit. > >> [!col|w7] > > > [!columns] > > > >[!col] > > > > ![[Drawing Scars-1787043623287.webp]] > > > > > > >[!col] > > > > ![[Drawing Scars-1787043634413.webp]] # <p class="at-mark">Method 2: Rendering</p> > [!columns|ruled] > > [!col|w7] > > >[!note|card] Other Referencing > > >The rendering for basic scars follows the same principles as the tutorial on **_[[Hard vs Soft Edges - Guide to Shadows]]_**, if you want more understanding on that. > > > > Much like rendering anything else, it's important to _establish your light source_ before beginning. > > > > This helps you know where to place your shading and your highlights, as scars tend to deform the skin and create a more uneven surface. > > >[!col|w3] > >![[Drawing Scars-1787043982935.webp]] > [!columns|ruled] > > [!col|w4] > > Surrounding the scars, and following your light source, place down your darker and lighter shades, for the shadows and highlights. > > > > The darker/harsher you put your shadows, the 'deeper' the scar looks. > > > > This does not have to be super clean, and sometimes it can be a bit ambiguous as to where your shadows and highlights should go; I usually just place it wherever it looks and feels right. > > > [!col|w6] > > > [!columns] > > > >[!col] > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787044371490.webp]] > > > > > > >[!col] > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787044377866.webp]] > [!columns|ruled] > > [!col|w4] > > Lastly, blend in the shadows and highlights you just placed, creating a smooth gradient into the skin. > > > > If you feel the scars are not prominent enough, _you can blend in darker shadows closer towards the scar_, giving more of an illusion of depth and severity. You can do the same with lighter, more luminous highlighting, depending on the skin tone, too. > > > > To tidy up the scars, you can _go in over the top with the colour of the scar_, and better define the scar lines. You can make the scars here wider, and more prominent, especially alongside with the previous tip about darkening the shadows, to make the scars appear larger and deeper. > > > [!col|w6] > > > [!columns] > > > >[!col] > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787044626669.webp]] > > > > > > >[!col] > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787044710366.webp]] >[!columns|ruled] >>[!col|w3] >>Scars can come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and depth, and using the techniques mentioned, you can use that to create any sort of basic slashing scars on _any sort of skin tone_. >> >>Lots of other kinds of scars follow the same basic principle, with some altering in the shape and especially _texture_. Much wider, prominent scars that take up more surface area, will very often have a distinct, 'waxy' sort of texture over them. >> >>I tend to showcase this by brushing over the scarred area using any sort of textured brush with a lighter colour. > >>[!col|w7] >>>[!grid] >>>![[Drawing Scars-1787044958854.webp]] >>> >>>![[Drawing Scars-1787045024295.webp]] >>> >>>![[Drawing Scars-1787045055466.webp]] >>> >>>![[Drawing Scars-1787045109204.webp]] >>> >>>![[Drawing Scars-1787045305933.webp]] >>> >>>![[Drawing Scars-1787045092603.webp]] # <p class="at-mark">Miscellaneous</p> ### Unconventional Scars > [!columns|ruled] > > [!col|w4] > > There are many other scars that can't be done as nicely using the above method; while I cannot go through how to draw every kind of scar, generally the most important two factors to watch out for are _colour_ and _texture_. > > > > Scars, especially the more severe and deep ones, will almost always change the colour and texture of the skin it affects; most scars typically also deform the skin in and around it in some way, but this not necessarily always the case. > > > > >[!tip] > > >This is one of the few cases I would not necessarily recommend looking up references (especially if you are squeamish), so if you do not want to expose yourself to potentially sensitive photos, I highly recommend looking at the site **_ [RBFX Studio](https://rbfxstudio.com/)_**, especially their webpage on '_Trauma_'. > > > > > >The site has compilations of realistic make-up prosthetics for film/TV show sets, and are a good resource for all sorts of scars, trauma, and much more, without needing to look at any images of real injuries or scars. > > > > One example I can showcase (because I already have a lot of examples to show) is art of my character _**[Silver](https://toyhou.se/21045268.silver)**_ who has a very large, and very prominent _burn scar_ on one side of her body. > > > > First thing you'll notice, is the heavy discolouration and warping of the skin (and tattoos), as well as the 'leathery' sort of texture (more prominent in some art than others). > > >[!col|w6] > >>[!grid] > >>![[My Rendering Process-1761621918793.webp]] > >> > >>![[Drawing Scars-1787045874330.webp]] ### Simplifying Scars >[!columns|ruled] >>[!col|w3] >>It can get tedious drawing scars often, especially for more simpler drawings, and if you draw your character very often. Some scars you can negate entirely if they are small or less-important enough, but sometimes this isn't an option. >> >>Some variations I go for, is just using a different colour for the area (works best for scars that cover large areas, such as burn scars), or just using very simplistic lines and hatching; often times I'll use both. > > > [!col|w7] > > >[!grid] > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787046258869.webp]] > > > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787046287357.webp]] > > > > > >![[Drawing Scars-1787046308667.webp]]