What gives the Mona Lisa her famously soft, almost dreamlike quality? The answer is sfumato, Leonardo da Vinci's signature technique for blending light and shadow so seamlessly that edges seem to dissolve. In this art discovery class, students learn sfumato firsthand, using charcoal, pencils, tissues, and q-tips to create smooth gradients and explore how values create the illusion of depth and realism. Through this project, students develop a greater understanding of light, shadow, and the patient, deliberate process behind some of the most celebrated drawings and paintings in art history. No advanced skills are needed, just curiosity, engagement, and a willingness to explore. Art Discovery Classes are designed for older homeschoolers who are ready to look beyond how to make art and start thinking about why artists make the choices they do. Projects are age appropriate and flexible, allowing students to work at their own skill level while being encouraged to take creative risks and develop their own artistic voice. This class is best suited for pre-teens and teens, though students age 8 and up are welcome. All art supplies are included.