“Study of willows” by Thomas Gainsborough – British Museum, London. Circa 1750-1755.
A sketch is made to try an idea or to use for other artwork.
A sketch may serve a number of purposes:
- it might record something that the artist sees
- it might record or develop an idea for later
- it might be used as a quick way of showing an image, idea or principle
Sketches are usually done in pencil on paper. Sketches can be made in any drawing material. We normally sketch in “dry” materials like charcoal, pastel, pencil, graphite, or silverpoint.
“Two ink sketches of Krishna playing the Flute”by Theo van Doesburg. Early 20th century. www.geheugenvannederland.nl
It may also apply to drawings in pen and ink, ballpoint pen, acrylic, oil or watercolor paint.
A sculptor might model three-dimensional sketches in clay, plasticine or wax.
Extensions:
Foreign Language (Greek): The word “sketch” comes from the Greek word σχέδιος – schedios, or plan.
Find out how to say words in Greek by using google translate.