tekenaar

Tekenaar is a Dutch noun meaning a person who makes drawings. In Dutch usage it covers both artists who draw for artistic purposes and professionals who prepare technical drawings. The term is broader than kunstenaar, which more narrowly denotes a visual artist active in the fine arts, while tekenaar can refer to draftsmen, illustrators, or storyboard artists as well.

Etymology and sense

The word is formed from tekenen, to draw, with the agent suffix -aar. This yields a generic designation for someone whose primary activity is drawing, whether by hand or with digital tools.

Context and occupations

In artistic contexts, a tekenaar may be an illustrator or cartoonist who creates drawings for books, magazines, or comics. The role can overlap with other crafts such as design and graphic storytelling, and the exact title varies by specialization and medium.

Technical drawing and design

In technical and architectural settings, tekenaar is commonly translated as draftsman or draughtsman. Such professionals produce technical drawings, blueprints, schematics, and plans for construction, manufacturing, or engineering. Bouwkundig tekenaar (architectural draftsman) and technisch tekenaar (technical draftsman) are typical Dutch job titles. CAD (computer-aided design) has transformed workflows, but the occupation remains centered on precision, standards, and documentation.

Other uses

Some tekenaars work in animation, film, or game development as storyboard or concept artists. Across contexts, the term emphasizes drawing as a primary craft, with application ranging from artistic illustration to technical communication.