We explain what a sketch is and what its characteristics are. Also, how they are classified and some examples of sketches (images).
What is a sketch?
A sketch, sketch, sketch, study, sketch, draft or sketch, in art, literature, architecture and in other disciplines, it includes the tests or previous attempts that are made of a project before the final design or final work. These are tentative designs, incomplete and of little precision, in which not as much energy, time and dedication is invested as in the definitive work. They are used to exercise or to mark the way.
There is no clear differentiation between all the terms associated with these previous attempts, but some are usually preferred over others depending on the discipline.
For example in He drew Y painting it is usually spoken indistinctly of sketch (from Catalan sketch, lower the surface of a log to work it), sketch (from the Italian bozzetto, diminutive of bozzo, “Unpolished stone”), sketch (from the English sketch, turn from Italian schizzo, "Improvisation") or study; while in the written arts a draft is preferred and in architecture, on the other hand, sketch (from the French croquer, "Crack" or "crack").
Sketches are very common in the arts, and they can even form their own style (“sketch” style, that is, similar to a sketch). When they are part of the previous attempts of a great master of art, they are usually also exhibited in museums or galleries, given that they have historical and documentary value, as antecedents of some artistic work renowned.
Characteristics of the sketches
In general, sketches are characterized by the following:
- They are fast, little worked and little detail, since they seek to give a general impression of the work to come.
- They are usually done freehand, in the case of the pictorial arts, although instruments and techniques professionals. However, the sketch is not usually devoted to much resources, since it is a non-final attempt.
- There may be more than one sketch of the same final work, more or less different from each other.
- They are usually not too different from the finished work, at least as far as their general patterns are concerned.
Sketch types
In general, three types of sketch are differentiated, mainly in the visual arts. These types are the rough sketch, the sympathetic, and the dummy.
- Rough sketch. It consists of the representation on paper of the first ideas that are had of the work, and therefore it is the most imprecise type of sketch, general and devoid of details.
- Comprehensive sketch. It is understood as a step towards precision, improving the quality (and therefore the understanding) of a rough sketch, applying technical tools more similar to those that will be used for the final work.
- Sketch dummy. Its name comes from English dummy ("Doll" or "corpse"), and it is basically a previous version of the final work, in which its details and visual effects can already be appreciated with an important margin of precision. These sketches are usually a step prior to the final work, in which different effects or resources are tested before deciding on a specific one.
Sketch examples
