What is Drawing Versus Painting? Explained and Definition

In the world of contemporary art, two forms stand out as dominant: painting and drawing. Both are visual practices exhibited on a two-dimensional surface and have been popular forms of expression for thousands of years. However, drawings appear to be the first works of art, which is best noted by the Chauvet Cave in southern France, where wall drawings date back over 30,000 years.

Regardless of which came first, there are still some who consider the differences between the categories, having some comparing painting vs drawing. Questions concerning which is better, which to learn first, and what type is most valuable come up in art circles. We’ll delve into these topics and more here.

Drawing vs Sketch vs Painting Works of Art

Sketching, drawing and painting are visual representations of art on some form of two-dimensional surface. Yet, they do have their differences but can work together to create a finished piece of art depending on the artist’s preference and skill level. So, what are the critical differences between the three mediums?

Concerning works consisting of painting vs sketch pieces, sketches are largely considered to be a looser and less refined type of drawing, and they are often utilized as preliminary drawings to outline a draft for a detailed drawing or painting. Created with rapid marks typically free of some details a completed drawing may have, sketches are commonly used in illustrations and comics.

Comparing drawing versus painting is somewhat simple, yet it can be complex depending on the artist. In general, most people determine their preferred term of use based on the selected surface and medium.

Drawings are predominantly created with dry media such as charcoal, pencil or chalk on a paper surface, while paintings are commonly implemented with a wet medium like oil or acrylic paint on a canvas, copper glass or wood surface.

That being said, there are no hard and fast rules in the art world. For example, wet media such as ink, bister or watercolor are often seen as drawings commonly placed on paper. However, not all art on paper are drawings, as artists can paint on paper and sketches and drawings can be put on canvas and still remain a drawing.

Is Drawing or Painting a Better Choice?

Many entering into the art scene wonder whether drawings or painting is a ‘better’ choice to attempt to dip their hand in or the smarter investment. Historically, both painting and drawing have been viewed as some form of art.

Drawings were often seen in two ways: as a standalone art form or a way to outline paintings or lead the way into the craft with less pressure and more control over where the piece was going. For quite a while, sketches and drawings were considered studies for sculptures and paintings but were not viewed as much as an art form.

Looking at it from a historical perspective, painting has been seen as a higher form of art than drawing. Nevertheless, in the contemporary art world, both media are considered equal, even though paintings today are the more dominant and pertinent medium in the industry.

Some reason for drawings being more common in the past is that painting was costly, and time-consuming had a few potential hazards. Painting pigments was expensive and crushed manually, and the best and most wealthy artists would often have studios accessible to them. Only the elites could afford to invest in paintings and only top artists were able to create desirable finished works.

Meanwhile, anyone could pick up a pencil and paper to create a sketch. Another reason that painting was somewhat limited to individuals of means is that it took a bit of education to know how to properly prepare and dispose of paint materials. Paint, pigments cleaners, and solvents often contained heavy metal compounds and toxic materials that required special handling.

Are Paintings or Drawings More Valuable?

As mentioned before, historically, paintings are more valuable than sketches or drawings. The higher cost, limited access and exclusivity were appealing. Today, prints and reproductions make painting accessible to all, save for one-of-a-kind originals. These advancements have given drawings an opportunity to become just as valuable in many circumstances, depending on the artist, quality of work and current trends in art.

Of course, when it comes to old master drawings and paintings, there is no true value that can be placed upon them. Many who can afford to spend hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars on the most coveted pieces. For example, DaVinvi’s Mona Lisa last sold at auction in the $500-600 million range, but it is highly unlikely to ever leave its home at the Louver. While beautiful and unique, many don’t see what makes the painting so ‘special,’ while others view it as priceless. As you can see, the value of artwork is not based on the formal qualities of the medium, as all are considered equal in today’s world, and beauty and value are subjective.

Should Aspiring Artists Learn to Draw Before Painting?

This is actually a practical and frequent question, but there is no definitive answer applicable to all aspiring artists. Those who want to paint in a figurative or representational manner are often advised to learn some drawing skills to learn fundamentals before tackling painting. However, those aspiring to become abstract painters can likely skip the drawing lessons.

Abstract art tends to focus on the shapes, colors, textures and quality of the paints used. It’s a more experimental practice rather than a precise art form. Those aspiring for realism are often advised to try drawing or sketching out complex pieces to allow for a bit of wiggle room in the creation and error-making process that is a part of being an artist.

Painting vs Drawing: Is There a True Comparison?

As many aficionados would say, there is no true definition of what art is or can be, much less whether there is one medium better than another. Some people love abstract while others see ‘messy.’ Some view fine art as the best of the best, while others may find it standard and somewhat mundane. Beauty along with value is perceived only in the eye of the beholder, so the choice is up to those who appreciate art.