Rendering of a partially translucent object is performed using a set of parameter maps derived from data measuring reflectance and transmittance of light received at the surface of the partially translucent object. Data is captured from an actual object being modeled, rather than estimated based on internal structure and composition. Parameter maps relating albedo, thickness variation, and specular intensity and roughness are stored as textures to facilitate rendering. In addition, realistic illumination from high energy sources such as sunlight is effected by separating light into low frequency and high frequency components. Low frequency components are rendered by precomputed radiance transfer. High frequency components, which are not modeled well by precomputed radiance transfer, are modeled using a light visibility convolution integral to generate light visibility maps for positions of the high frequency light source. Contributions from the different frequency components are combined to yield a realistic appearance.