Definition of sketch

The English word "sketch" originated from the Dutch word "schetsen," which means "to draw quickly" or "make rough drawings." Dutch merchants frequently used this term when they created preliminary drawings or outlines of their merchandise before shipping them to England. As the idea of a sketch spread throughout Europe, it gained different meanings and connotations in different languages. In French, it is called "croquis" which means "little hooks/pricks" or "brief notes," implying its short and imperfect nature. The German equivalent, "Skizze," retains its Dutch origin, meaning "a quick draft or outline." The English meaning of the word "sketch" has evolved over time. In the 16th century, it meant "a formal plan or design" but soon came to refer to work that is experimental, temporary, and unfinished. Sketching as a form of art or creatively expressing visual ideas emerged from the mid-18th century, where it grew alongside the development of printmaking and the rise of caricaturists. Today, sketch refers to a quick, incomplete, rough drawing, or presentation created for preliminary abstract or illustrative purposes. It can also refer to a brief description, outline, or plan, depicting the essential features and ideas for further elaboration and development. Sketches are an integral part of various artistic and professional fields such as architecture, engineering, cartooning, fashion design, and animation, wherein they are employed as conceptual or experimental tools.