Smoke as a pictorial procedure: Fumage

Abstract

I propose a new definition for fumage and address in a brief approach —from the chemical point of view— the nature of smoke. From this base, I study the possible supports, potential tools for application in artistic purposes, visual possibilities, attachment procedure and narrative connotations related to its use. Next, I analyze its connections with the related heat engraving art. To finish and justifying the new definition which claims the contemporaneity of the procedure, I bring a list of artists who have used and, mainly, who are using this procedure in their artistic proposals.