How did Raphael use chiaroscuro and sfumato after studying Leonardo’s work?

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Raphael: The Grand Duke's Madonna — Raphael *The Grand Duke's Madonna*, oil painting by Raphael, 1505; in the Pitti Palace, Florence.

After arriving in Florence around 1504, Raphael studied the innovative techniques of Leonardo da Vinci to refine his own artistic style.1

Raphael incorporated these influences into his work in the following ways:

Chiaroscuro: He made moderate use of Leonardo’s chiaroscuro, utilizing the technique's strong contrast between light and dark to add depth and volume to his compositions.1
Sfumato: He was particularly influenced by Leonardo’s sfumato, adopting the method of using extremely fine, soft shading rather than harsh lines to delineate forms and facial features.1

While Raphael adopted these technical advancements, he adapted them to suit his own vision. Unlike the dark intensity often found in Leonardo’s work, Raphael applied these shading techniques to create figures with round, gentle faces that expressed a sense of sublime serenity and human sentiment. Ultimately, he sought a more extroverted and accessible style, distinguishing his work from the dramatic intensity favored by his contemporaries.1