Freehand: meaning, definitions and examples

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freehand

 

[ ˈfriːhænd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

drawing style

Freehand refers to a style of drawing or sketching that is done without the use of any tools or instruments for guidance, such as rulers or compasses. Artists who work in this manner rely solely on their skill, hand-eye coordination, and creativity to produce their artwork. This technique can result in more spontaneous and expressive forms of art, as it allows for greater freedom in movement and expression. Freehand drawing is often associated with sketching, illustration, and drafting.

Synonyms

draw, render, sketch.

Examples of usage

  • She prefers to create freehand sketches for her illustrations.
  • The architect produced freehand drawings of the building designs.
  • He demonstrated his freehand technique during the art class.

Translations

Translations of the word "freehand" in other languages:

🇵🇹 à mão

🇮🇳 हाथ से

🇩🇪 freihändig

🇮🇩 bebas tangan

🇺🇦 від руки

🇵🇱 odręczny

🇯🇵 フリーハンド

🇫🇷 à main levée

🇪🇸 a mano alzada

🇹🇷 serbest el

🇰🇷 자유 손

🇸🇦 يدوي

🇨🇿 volnou rukou

🇸🇰 voľnou rukou

🇨🇳 自由手

🇸🇮 prosto ročno

🇮🇸 frjálst hönd

🇰🇿 еркін қолмен

🇬🇪 თავისუფალი ხელი

🇦🇿 özəl əl

🇲🇽 a mano alzada

Etymology

The term 'freehand' dates back to the early 19th century and is derived from the combination of 'free,' meaning unrestricted or unbound, and 'hand,' referring to the human hand as the instrument of creation. The origin of 'free' in this context emphasizes the lack of mechanical aids in the drawing process. As art evolved, the importance of hand-drawn illustrations became more pronounced, prompting artists and educators to emphasize the skill of drawing freehand. This method became particularly significant in artistic education, where developing dexterity and confidence in one's hand movements were seen as essential skills. 'Freehand' is now widely used not only in art but also in various forms of design and drafting, where intuitive and unrestrained designs are valued for their originality.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,763, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.