desene

Desene is the Romanian plural noun for drawings or pictures created by marks on a surface. It is the plural form of desen. The term covers a wide range of drawn works, from quick studies and sketches to finished works of art, including pen-and-ink, pencil, charcoal, or graphite on paper and other supports.

In education and art practice, desene are often used as preparatory studies for paintings or sculptures, and they can reveal composition, gesture, light, and proportion before a final work is undertaken. They also appear in common phrases such as 'desenul' for the act of drawing, and 'desene animate' means animated cartoons, underscoring the word's broader use beyond static drawings.

In museums and art history, desene are valued for technique, versatility, and historical context. They can be studies, drafts, or complete works appreciated for line quality, shading, and spontaneity. The study of desene helps illustrate artists’ processes and the evolution of ideas from concept to finished piece.

Etymology: the word comes from the Romanian verb a desena (to draw), from Latin designare. Related terms include desen (singular drawing) and design (in Romanian sense of plan or layout). In everyday language, the term remains widely used in Romania and Moldova, where Romanian is spoken, and in Romanian-language contexts elsewhere.