esipiirtää

Esipiirtää is a Finnish verb that translates to "to sketch" or "to outline" in English. It refers to the act of creating a preliminary drawing or plan, often as a basis for a more detailed or finished work. This can apply to various forms of visual art, such as drawing, painting, or even sculpture. The term implies a degree of imprecision or incompleteness, suggesting that the esipiirros is a first draft rather than a final product.

In a broader sense, esipiirtää can also be used metaphorically to describe the initial conceptualization or planning stages of any project. For instance, one might esipiirtää a business plan, a story, or a technical design. In this context, it signifies laying down the fundamental structure and key elements before delving into the finer details and execution. The core idea remains the creation of an initial framework that guides subsequent development.