soft edge
Gradual tonal transition
A soft edge is a boundary that blurs or gradates rather than forming a sharp line.
In painting and photography, soft edges create gentle transitions between forms, suggesting atmosphere or movement: The portrait used soft edges to draw focus to the eyes.
In graphic design, soft-edged shapes fade gradually into their backgrounds.
The term extends to anything with indistinct boundaries: The policy has soft edges that allow for interpretation.
- blurLack of sharpness
- out of focusIndistinct, poorly defined
- featherBird's body covering
- gradientRate of change across space
- fuzzySoft and unclear
diffuse · haze · gentle · gentle touch · smooth · vignette · blend · fade · fading away · smudge · airbrushed · muted · dreamy · pillowy · watercolor · misty · gauzy · tender
- art techniquespainting, drawing, sketching, shading, blending
- edgesborder, boundary, brim, brink, perimeter
- gradientspressure gradient, concentration gradient, steep gradient, gradation, fade
- stage lightingspotlight, spotlights, Fresnel, followspot, follow spot
- watercolorwash, washes, wet-on-wet, brushes, palette
- Color FieldMark Rothko, flat color, color saturation, large canvas, veils
soft edgesharp edge
Honed cutting surface
hard-edge painting · sharp focus · high contrast · knife edge · stark contrast
soft, edge, soften, softly, softness, softer, softest, softened, softening