What is Sfumato?

Sfumato (Italian for ‘smoky’) is a painting technique using subtle, gradual transitions between colors and tones without harsh lines or borders. Perfected by Leonardo da Vinci in works like the Mona Lisa, sfumato creates atmospheric, dreamlike effects through delicate glazing and blending. While predating Surrealism by centuries, sfumato’s misty, mysterious quality appeals to artists creating dreamscapes and psychological imagery. The technique softens boundaries between forms, suggesting the fluid, indeterminate quality of dreams and the unconscious. Contemporary artists in Visionary Art and Dark Art employ sfumato for atmospheric effects. Related to chiaroscuro, sfumato emphasizes soft transitions rather than dramatic contrasts.