Visual Dictionary: Drawing

The drawing of lines to represent the three- dimensional; structure and geometry of a form, proceeding generally from the whole to the constituent parts.

Analytical drawing

An elevation drawing of a facade, surrounded by a decorative arrangement of drawings of important details and sometimes a plan or section of the facade.

Analytique

A plan showing the principal elements of a design project in the wider context of its surrounding environment.

Area plan

A paraline drawing of an axonometric projection, having all lines parallel to the three principal axes drawn to scale but diagonal and curved lines distorted.

Axonometric

The orthographic projection of a three-dimensional object inclined to the picture plane in such a way that its three principal exes are foreshortened.

Axonometric projection

A broken line consisting of relatively long segments joined by short zigzag strokes, used to cut off a portion of a drawing.

Break line

A paraline drawing of an oblique projection, having all lines parallel to the picture plane drawn to exact scale, and the receding lines perpendicular to the picture plane reduced to half scale.

Cabinet drawing

A full-scale drawing of a motif or design, to be transferred in preparation for a fresco, mosaic, or tapestry.

Cartoon

A paraline drawing of an oblique projection, having the receding lines perpendicular to the picture plane drawn to the same scale as the lines parallel to the picture plane.

Cavalier drawing

A broken line consisting of relatively long segments separated by single dashes or dots uses to represent the axis of a symmetrical element or composition.

Centerline

A drawing of something that does not yet exist.

Conception

The portion of the contract documents showing an accurate graphic or pictorial form of the design, location, dimension, and relationships of the elements of a project.

Construction drawings/contract drawings/working drawings

The outline of a two-dimensional shape or bounding edges of a three-dimensional form.

Contour

The technique of drawing lines to represent the contours of a subject, without shading or modeling of form.

Contour drawing

The difference in elevation represented by each contour line on a topographic map.

Contour interval

An imaginary line joining points of equal elevation on a surface, or its representation on a topographic plan or map.

Contour line

The technique of drawing lines to represent a series of cuts across the surface of a form rather than its edges.

Cross contour drawing

An orthographic projection of a section made by cutting transversely, esp. at right angles to the long axis of an object.

Cross section/transverse section

Shading composed of two or more series of intersecting parallel lines.

Crosshatching

A V-shaped mark the apex of which is a reference point.

Crowfoot

A drawing or model having an outer section removed to display the interior.

Cutaway

A broken line consisting of short, closely spaced strokes used esp. to represent object lines that are hidden or removed from view.

Dashed line

The theory of making projections of three-dimensional objects on a plane surface in order to deduce their geometric properties and relationships.

Descriptive geometry

Any of the drawings made to aid the visualization, exploration, evaluation and communication of a concept in the design process.

Design drawing

A line terminated by arrows, short slashes or dots indicating the extent or magnitude of a part or the whole, and along which measurements are scaled and indicated.

Dimension line

An axonometric projection of a three-dimensional object inclined to the picture plane in such a way that two of its principal axes are equally foreshortened and the third appears longer or shorter than the other two.

Dimetric projection

A broken line consisting of a series of closely spaced dots, sometimes used in place of a dashed line.

Dotted line

A preliminary sketch of a design or plan, esp. one subject to revision.

Draft

Drawing done with the aid of such instruments such as T-squares, triangles, compasses and scales esp. For the systematic representation an dimensional specification of architectural and engineering structures.

Drafting/mechanical drawing

The art, process, or technique of representing an object, scene, or idea by means of lines on a surface.

Drawing

An orthographic projection of an object or structure on a vertical picture plane parallel to one of its sides, usually drawn to scale.

Elevation

A full-scale, detailed drawing done on a wall, floor or other large surface, from which are traced the patterns for various building elements.

Epure

A sketch showing the general features of a design or plan.

Esquisse

A drawing that shows the individual parts of a structure or construction separately but indicates their proper relationships to each other and to whole.

Exploded view/expanded view

A line extending from an edge or feature of an object, to which a dimension line is drawn.

Extension line

A plan of a room, suite or entire floor of a building as seen from above after a horizontal section is cut and the upper portion removed, typically showing the form and arrangement of interior spaces and their enclosing walls, windows and doors.

Floor plan

A plan showing the pattern, elements and connections of the structural frame for a floor or roof of a building, using a system of symbols and drafting linework.

Framing plan

The art, process, or technique of drawing by hand without the aid of drafting instruments or mechanical devices, esp. for the representation of perceptions or the visualization of ideas.

Freehand drawing

A movement of the hand, arm, head, face, or body that expresses an idea, opinion, or emotion.

Gesture

The technique of drawing a single or multiple lines freely and quickly as a subject is scanned and perceptions of volume, mass, movement and significant details are projected onto the drawing surface. In contrast to contour drawing, gesture drawing generally proceeds from the whole to the parts.

Gesture drawing

A plan showing the proposed finish contours and elevations of the ground surface of a construction site.

Grading plan

A graduated line or bar indicating the proportion between a representation and that which it represents.

Graphic scale

A rectangular system of lines and coordinates serving as a reference for locating and regulating the elements of a plan.

Grid

Monochromatic painting in shades of gray to produce a three-dimensional effect.

Grisaille

Shading composed of fine lines drawn in close proximity.

Hatching

Having chiefly light tones with little contrast.

High-key

A brilliantly lighted area of a modeled drawing appearing as a luminous spot.

Highlight

A representation of the form or appearance of something, made visible in a sculpture, photograph, or drawing.

Image

A paraline drawing of an isometric projection, having all lines parallel to the principal axes drawn to true length at the same scale.

Isometric

An axonometric projection of a three dimensional object having its principal faces equally inclined to the picture planes so that its three principal axes are equally shortened.

Isometric projection

The dominant tonal value of a drawing or painting.

Key

A short line leading the eye from a note or dimension to a reference point, line, or area.

Leader

A thin, continuous mark made on a surface with a pencil, pen, or brush, as distinguished from shading or color.

Line

The natural color of a particular object as it would appear in white light.

Local color

An orthographic projection of a section made by cutting through the longest axis of an object.

Longitudinal section

Having chiefly dark tones with little contrast.

Low-key

A unified area of light, shade, or color that defines shape or form in general outline rather than in detail.

Mass

The technique of rendering the illusion of volume, depth, or solidity on a two-dimensional surface by shading.

Modeling

The effect or illusion of motion conveyed by the relationship of structural elements in a design or composition.

Movement

A graphic symbol used on plans and maps to indicate the direction of north.

North arrow

A solid line representing a contour of an object.

Object line

A paraline drawing of an oblique projection, having all lines and faces parallel to the picture plane drawn to exact scale, and all receding lines perpendicular to the picture plane shown at any convenient angle other than 90 degrees, sometimes at a reduced scale to offset the appearance of distortion.

Oblique

A method of projection in which a three-dimensional object, having one principal face parallel to the picture plane, is represented by projecting parallel lines at some angle other than 90 degrees to the picture plane.

Oblique projection

An orthographic projection of a section made by cutting with a plane that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the long axis of a subject.

Oblique section

A method of projection in which a three-dimensional object is represented by projecting lines perpendicular to a picture plane.

Orthographic projection/orthogonal projection

A line describing the outer boundary of a figure or object.

Outline

Any of various single-view drawings characterized by parallel lines in remaining parallel to each other rather than converging as in linear perspective.

Paraline drawing

An area, section, or detail of work, esp. with respect to is qualitites of execution.

Passage

Any of various techniques for representing three-dimensional objects and spatial relationships on a two-dimensional surface as they might appear to the eye; a drawing of the perspective projection of an object or scene, characterized chiefly by convergence and foreshortening.

Perspective

A part of drawing that is made transparent to permit representation of details otherwise hidden from view.

Phantom

A broken line consisting of relatively long segments separated by two short dashes or dots used to represent a property line, an alternative position of a part of an object, or the relative position of a phantom line.

Phantom line

The illusion of space or depth depicted on a two-dimensional surface by various graphic means, such as aerial perspective, continuity of outline or vertical location.

Pictorial space

An orthographic projection of the top or section of an object or structure on a horizontal plane, usually drawn to scale.

Plan/plan view

The walls, columns, or other solids of a building that are cut in a floor plan or section drawing, usually indicated in black or by hatching.

Poche

Any of a set of design drawings made to articulate and communicate a design concept or proposal, as for exhibition, review or publication.

Presentation drawing

An outline of a form or structure seen or represented from the side.

Profile

The process or technique of representing a three-dimensional object by projecting all its points by straight lines, either parallel or converging, to a picture plane.

Projection

A plan of a room as seen from above but having its ceiling surfaces and elements projected downward upon it so that would appear to the right when seen from below appears on the plan to the left.

Reflected plan/reflected ceiling plan

A line drawn to measure or express alignment, scale or proportion.

Regulating line

An apparent projection from a flat background due to contrast, creating the illusion of three dimensions.

Relief

A drawing, esp. a perspective of a building or interior space artistically delineating the materials, shades and shadows usually one for the purposes of presentation and persuasion.

Rendering

A plan showing the top view of a building esp. the form of its roof.

Roof plan

A proportion determining the relationship of a representation to that which it represents.

Scale

Shading by means of a network of random, multidirectional lines.

Scribbling

An embossing stamp used by a licensed architect, engineer, or other design professional on contract drawings and specifications to show evidence of registration in the state where teh work is to be performed.

Seal

An orthographic projection of an object or structure as it would appear if cut through by an intersecting plane to show its internal configuration, usually drawn to scale.

Section

A centerline terminating in a perpendicular segment with an arrow, used to indiccate where a section is cut in a plan or elevation view and the direction in which the section is to be viewed.

Section line

The parts of a solid that receive no light because they are tangent to or turned away from a theoretical light source.

Shade

The casting and rendering of shade and shadows esp. in orthographic views to convey light, surface, form and depth.

Shade and shadows

The rendering of light and dark values in a drawing to create illusion of three-dimensionality, represent light and shadow, or give the effect of color.

Shading

The dark figure cast upon a surface by an opaque body intercepting the rays from a theoretical light source.

Shadow

A plan showing the form, location and orientation of a building or group of buildings on a site, usually including the dimensions, contours, landscaping, and other significant features of the plot.

Site plan/plot plan

A simply or hastily executed drawing or painting representing the essential feature of an object or scene without the details, often made as a preliminary study.

Sketch

Shading by means of dots, small spots or short strokes.

Stippling

A drawing executed as an educational exercise, produced as a preliminary to a final work, or made to record observations.

Study/referential drawing

A method or procedure for accomplishing a desired aim or task, as that employed by an artist showing a high degree of skill or command of fundamentals.

Technique

A line lightly drawn to record alignment or measurement.

Trace

An axonometric projection of a three-dimensional object inclined to the picture plane in such a way that all three principal axes are foreshortened at a different rate.

Trimetric projection

A drawing or painting in which objects are rendered in extremely fine detail to emphasize the illusion of tacile and spatial qualities.

Trompe l'oeil

A drawing that is shaded off gradually into the surrounding paper so as to leave no definite line at the border.

Vignette