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Sfumato
01
a technique that involves blending or softening edges in a painting to create a "smoky" or hazy effect that evokes mystery and ambiguity
Grammatical Information
animacy status
inanimate
plural form
sfumatos
What is "sfumato"?
Sfumato is a painting technique that involves blending colors and tones so smoothly that there are no harsh lines or transitions. The term, coming from the Italian word “sfumare,” meaning “to smoke,” describes how the artist creates a soft, blurred effect where different shades blend together gently. This technique is often used to achieve a realistic, gentle quality in portraits and landscapes, giving the impression of depth and volume.
