Joonistus

Joonistus is the Estonian term for drawing, used to describe both the act of drawing and the resulting image. It encompasses a range of practices, from freehand sketches and studies in the visual arts to technical diagrams such as architectural plans and mechanical drawings. The word appears in everyday language as well as in professional contexts.

Originating from the verb joonistama “to draw,” the noun form joonistus denotes the action or result of drawing. It is a standard item in Estonian dictionaries and is used across art, education, and industry.

In fine arts, joonistus refers to drawings made as studies for larger works or as finished pieces, including figure drawing, landscape studies, and conceptual sketches. In architecture and engineering, it denotes technical drawings produced to scale, with standardized lines and symbols, and often reproduced as blueprints or prints. With the advent of digital tools, joonistus now also includes computer-generated drawings and digital illustrations.

Joonistus is a core subject in Estonian art and design education, teaching line, perspective, shading, and composition. Museums and archives preserve historical joonistused, offering insight into artistic processes and technical drafting.

See also: drawing, technical drawing, blueprint, sketch.