Translation guide
A drawing made with lines, without shading or color. In Japanese, the most common term is 線画 (senga), but other words like 線描 (senbyou) or 線描画 (senbyouga) are also used depending on context. For simple line art or outlines, 線画 is the best default.
A drawing consisting of lines, often without shading or color, used in art, design, or technical contexts.
The most common and general term for a line drawing. It refers to any drawing made primarily of lines, such as outlines or sketches.
この線画はとても細かい。
This line drawing is very detailed.
線画を描くのが好きです。
I like drawing line art.
Refers to line drawing as a technique or style, often used in fine arts. It emphasizes the act of drawing with lines.
彼の線描は独特の美しさがある。
His line drawings have a unique beauty.
A more formal or technical term for a line drawing, combining 線描 (line drawing technique) and 画 (picture). Less common in everyday speech.
この展覧会では線描画が展示されている。
Line drawings are exhibited at this exhibition.
A drawing that shows only the outlines or contours of a subject, without internal details or shading.
Specifically refers to a drawing made of contour lines, emphasizing the outline. Useful when distinguishing from shaded drawings.
輪郭線画だけでも形がわかる。
Even just the outline drawing, you can tell the shape.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a picture drawn only with lines'. It's natural and easy to understand, though not a single technical term.
線だけで描いた絵はシンプルでいいね。
A picture drawn only with lines is simple and nice, isn't it?
Line drawing used in digital art, comics, or printing, often referring to clean, black-and-white line work.
Also used for digital line art or manga line work. In creative contexts, it's the standard term.
デジタル線画を描くときはペンタブレットを使います。
When drawing digital line art, I use a pen tablet.
Specifically 'line art illustration', often used for simple, clean illustrations without color.
この本には線画イラストがたくさんある。
This book has many line art illustrations.
線画 (senga) is the most common and versatile term for line drawing. 線描 (senbyou) emphasizes the technique or style, often used in art criticism. 線描画 (senbyouga) is a more formal compound, less frequent in daily conversation. For most purposes, 線画 is the best choice.
In casual conversation, you can simply say 線だけで描いた絵 (a picture drawn only with lines) or 線の絵 (line picture). These are not technical terms but are easily understood.
線だけで描いた絵
a picture drawn only with lines
猫の線画を描きました。
I made a line drawing of a cat.
この線画はとてもシンプルです。
This line drawing is very simple.