What artistic technique involves the use of light and shadow to create depth?

The technique that involves the use of light and shadow to create depth is chiaroscuro. This method emphasizes the contrast between light and dark areas in a painting, helping to model three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional surface. By manipulating light and shadow effectively, artists can achieve a sense of volume and depth, making objects appear more realistic and three-dimensional. This technique became particularly prominent during the Renaissance, as artists sought to enhance the realism and emotional impact of their works.

Sfumato refers to a technique of blending colors and tones so that there are no harsh outlines, creating a soft transition between colors. Linear perspective is a method that uses converging lines to create the illusion of depth and space in a flat image. Fresco is a painting technique that involves applying water-based pigments onto freshly laid wet plaster. Each of these methods contributes to artistic expression in unique ways, but chiaroscuro specifically focuses on the interplay of light and shadow to achieve depth.