Japanese

デッサン (dessan): a drawing of Raphael, used as a study for creating the Alba Madonna painting.

Noun

デッサン ‎(romaji dessan)

1. a sketch, a line drawing, especially as a study or draft for a later work

Synonyms

• スケッチ ‎(suketchi)
• クロッキー ‎(kurokkī)
• 素描 (そびょう) ‎(sobyō)
• 下絵 (したえ) ‎(shitae)

Usage notes

• The terms スケッチ ‎(suketchi), クロッキー ‎(kurokkī), and 素描 ‎(sobyō) refer to a drawing made in a relatively short period of time that roughs in the main points.
• デッサン ‎(dessan) often refers more specifically to a line drawing intended as a draft or study for a later picture, carving, sculpture, or other artwork.
• 素描 ‎(sobyō) can also be used more figuratively to describe a rough overview of things in general.
• 下絵 ‎(shitae, literally “under-picture”) refers to a draft for a drawing or painting.

Verb

デッサンする ‎(transitive, romaji dessan suru)

1. to sketch or draw something, especially as a study or draft for a later work

   果物 (くだもの)をデッサンする

   kudamono o dessan suru

   to draw a sketch of fruit

Conjugation

Synonyms

• スケッチ ‎(suketchi)
• クロッキー ‎(kurokkī)
• 素描 (そびょう) ‎(sobyō)

Usage notes

• The terms スケッチ ‎(suketchi), クロッキー ‎(kurokkī), and 素描 ‎(sobyō) refer to a drawing made in a relatively short period of time that roughs in the main points.
• デッサン ‎(dessan) refers more specifically to a line drawing intended as a draft for a later picture, carving, sculpture, or other artwork.
• 素描 ‎(sobyō) can also be used more figuratively to describe a rough overview of things in general.

References

1. ↑ 1988, 国語大辞典（新装版） (Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan
2. 1 2 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, ISBN 4-385-13905-9