Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro meaning light and dark in Italian comes from a technique produced in visual arts. Chiaroscuro represents light and dark shadowing in 3D objects and is most commonly used in the process of shading in drawings.  Its typically an oil painting technique created in the Renaissance period. In paintings the description refers to a clear contrast in colours in order to suggest volume and modelling; it is generally only used when prominent in feature work when the artist uses extreme contrast of light and dark. Roman and Greek artists used the technique of chiaroscuro in many paintings but was first brought to recognition by Leonardo Da Vinci in the 15th century. Leonardo employed it to produce a vivid impression of three dimensionality in him figure drawing.

Chiaroscuro in Art

In order to engage with the viewers painters in the Renaissance and Baroque era used the technique of chiaroscuro. Its used in order to create illusion of light in certain areas of the piece; creating light from a specific source shining on objects and figures to create a 3D appearance. Like the way photographers and cinematographers use light to create effect, painters created contrast of light and dark to create impact on the image. The style helped to emphasise drama and emotion while also exaggerating shadow and light to portray a gloomy or murky feel and atmosphere within the art piece.

Chiaroscuro within Film 
Film makers use chiaroscuro to highlight subjects in dark backgrounds in order to create tension in a scene, film makers do this in order to trick the audiences brain into feeling more emotion.  Chiaroscuro is one of the most used techniques in art, not only in music, films and literature. Tim Burton used this technique in order to produce the film in stop motion 'Frankenweenie' and create deep emotion involvement.

Chiaroscuro used in James Bond- Casino Royale 

Chiaroscuro in photography 
As a studio photography tool lighting can include daylight and studio lighting; can be used for a range of different subjects from portraits to still life. Chiaroscuro can create dramatic effect in photography, natural lighting can be used as a source to create a natural light and shadowed look in images where as studio or 'fake' lighting can create a more dramatic and structured effect in images.