Drawing (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what drawing is and why it is a tool of expression. Also, its history, what are the types of drawing and some techniques.

What is drawing?

Drawing is the art and technique of create images on a surface using lines shapes and strokes. It is the fundamental form of expression of the plastic arts and one of the visual arts.

Through the act of drawing, an image is recorded, which is also called a drawing.

You can draw with a wide variety of instruments or materials such as inks, charcoals and pencils that can be graphite, charcoal or colored, and on supports such as paper, fabric, wood, clay, metal or plastic, among many others. There is also digital drawing, which uses digital pencils and graphic tablets.

The drawing is a graphic representation in two dimensions, that is, in the horizontal plane. It has been a language and a universal tool of expression and communication and a means of transmitting symbols and signs in practically all cultures.

History of drawing

The first drawings date back to prehistory. Cave paintings have been found in caves all over the planet dating back thousands of years, with figurative representations of people, animals and scenes of everyday life, as well as abstract geometric symbols.

In ancient civilizations Drawing was a form of representation of historical, mythological or everyday scenes. During the Middle Ages it was widely used to illustrate manuscripts and books.

Artistic drawing

In artistic drawing the author expresses himself through his will to create and imagine and you have the freedom to explore your own emotions, ideas, thoughts, experiences or concepts.

Unlike technical drawing (which seeks the greatest possible objectivity), artistic drawing is the manifestation of a creative vision.

The artist can make use of different techniques such as perspective, sfumate (or blurring), the plot or pointillism use materials such as graphite pencils (of different grades, depending on the hardness of the lead), inks, brushes or charcoal, and use different supports such as paper for dry techniques (pencil, pastel, charcoal) or wet techniques (ink, watercolor, gouache , markers or markers), fabric, wood, stone, metal and even plastic.

technical drawing

The technical drawing is used to make accurate graphic representations of projects of different types, such as architectural plans or topographical drawings. It is based on regulations established by authorized institutions and its main intention is to communicate, as accurately as possible, the dimensions and shape of a given object. It is the type of drawing used by professionals in disciplines such as engineering, architecture, geology or topography.

Types of technical drawing

freehand drawing. It is a quick drawing or sketch that serves to record an idea that will be used later.
Drawing with instruments. It is generally done on a drawing table and specialized instruments such as rules, compasses and squares are used.
Computer assisted drawing. Known as CAD (in English: computer-aided designwhich means “computer-aided design”), uses design software that replaces drawing on paper. It can be: 2D (two-dimensional) or 3D (three-dimensional).

Elements used in the drawing

Tools. Understands all the devices for making strokes. The most common are:
- Graphite pencils of different hardness
- Charcoal
- Color stick, wax or watercolor pencils
- Brushes
- Chemicals such as fixative, alcohol or bleach
- Drawing and measuring instruments such as square, ruler and compass
- Markers or markers
Inks. They are pigments or dyes in small particles dispersed in a liquid vehicle. This liquid can be water, alcohol or oil.
Inks are applied with brushes, pens, pens, markers or printers. A small amount of ink can color a large surface.
Pigments. They are solid colored particles. They are usually crushed minerals, but can also be synthetic. They are mostly used with oily or aqueous media. They have high coverage capacity, so they are generally more expensive than inks.
Medium. It is the surface on which the drawing is made. It can be paper, metal, cardboard, wood, plastic, stone, canvas or any other material that can hold a pigment, even walls.