11K views · 406 reactions | The word Chiaroscuro is a combination of...

Chiaroscuro describes the range of tone from the darkest shadow to the brightest light to create high contrast in an artwork. It comes from the Italian for ‘clear’ or ‘bright’ - chiaro - and ‘dark’ - oscuro. The original use of the word chiaroscuro described drawings made on toned paper in black or brown with white highlights, often using silverpoint, ink, charcoal, or gouache. Since then, the definition has broadened beyond drawing and printmaking, especially as it evolved through Renaissance a