abbozzo
n. C2 Proficiency ab·boz·zo
n. a rough sketch or a first draft of a painting or drawing. It is the early stage where an artist starts to plan the composition.
n. a preliminary sketch or a rough draft of a work of art. Often refers to a preparatory study for a larger painting or a quick charcoal sketch.
The artist spent hours on the abbozzo for the portrait.
The museum displayed the abbozzo alongside the finished painting to show the artist's initial ideas.
While the final oil painting is highly detailed, the abbozzo reveals a much looser, more spontaneous approach to the subject's proportions and lighting.
Borrowed from Italian abbozzo.