Çizim

Çizim (drawing) is the act of producing marks on a surface to represent the physical world, ideas, or forms. As a foundational visual art practice, it encompasses both expressive, freehand drawing and precise, plan-oriented drafting. In Turkish usage the term Çizim covers a range of activities from sketching and life drawing to technical and architectural drafting.

Materials and techniques vary: pencils, charcoal, ink, markers, and increasingly digital tablets and software. Common methods include line drawing, contour studies, shading, and perspective construction. Technical drawing, or teknik çizim, emphasizes accuracy, scale, and standardized symbols to communicate measurements and specifications.

Applications span fine arts, education, design, architecture, and engineering. Freehand drawing supports research and ideation, while architectural and engineering drawings document structures and components. Drawing can be used for study, planning, or presentation, often serving as a bridge between observation and realization.

Historically, Çizim has a long tradition in Turkish art and education. In Ottoman and Turkish practice, drawing accompanied manuscript illumination, architectural planning, and craft design. Today, Çizim is taught as a core subject in schools, studios, and universities, and remains a fundamental skill for visual communication.