Picture vs. Drawing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 22, 2024
Picture captures a moment via photographic or digital means, emphasizing realism; drawing is an artistic representation using tools like pencils, emphasizing creativity.
Difference Between Picture and Drawing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A picture is primarily a visual representation captured through photographic processes or digital imagery, focusing on capturing real-life scenes as they are. Whereas a drawing is a depiction created from an artist's imagination or observation, typically using instruments like pencils, pens, or charcoal.
Pictures can instantaneously capture the complexity of the real world, including colors, textures, and details with minimal effort once the equipment is set. On the other hand, drawings require a skill set that includes understanding of form, shading, and perspective, often requiring extensive time to develop even a single piece.
While pictures strive for accuracy and realism, often used in journalism and personal memorabilia, drawings are more about expression and interpretation, commonly utilized in art and illustration.
In terms of usage, pictures are often more straightforward and can be used for evidence or documentation. In contrast, drawings can convey moods, emotions, or abstract concepts that are not bound by the literal appearance of subjects.
Despite both being visual arts, the tools and skills involved in creating pictures and drawings differ significantly, with photography relying heavily on camera technology and settings, while drawing depends on manual dexterity and artistic technique.
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Comparison Chart
Medium
Photographic film or digital sensors
Pencils, pens, ink, charcoal, etc.
Representation
Realistic and precise
Stylized or abstract
Skill Required
Photography skills, technical knowledge
Artistic skills, manual dexterity
Time to Create
Can be instantaneous
Can take hours to days
Primary Use
Documentation, journalism, personal memories
Art, illustration, conceptual designs
Compare with Definitions
Picture
A photograph or digital image captured through a camera.
She took a picture of the sunset with her phone.
Drawing
Artwork created from freehand or technical drawing techniques.
His drawing won first place in the school contest.
Picture
An image used in various media like newspapers and websites.
The news article featured a picture of the event.
Drawing
A depiction that emphasizes personal style over realism.
Her drawings are known for their expressive lines.
Picture
A visual depiction intended to be realistic and accurate.
The picture on the ID must clearly show your face.
Drawing
An illustration made using tools such as pencils or charcoal.
She completed a drawing of the old city hall.
Picture
An image captured to preserve a moment in time.
They displayed pictures of their trip on the wall.
Drawing
A method of portraying visual ideas on paper or other surfaces.
Drawing classes help students improve their artistic skills.
Picture
Something depicted in a photographically realistic style.
His new camera takes incredibly clear pictures.
Drawing
A preliminary form of visual expression used in larger artworks.
The artist showed us a series of preliminary drawings.
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Drawing
Drawing is a form of visual art in which an artist uses instruments to mark paper or other two-dimensional surface. Drawing instruments include graphite pencils, pen and ink, various kinds of paints, inked brushes, colored pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, erasers, markers, styluses, and metals (such as silverpoint).
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Drawing
The act or an instance of drawing.
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Drawing
The art of representing objects or forms on a surface chiefly by means of lines.
Picture
A vivid mental image.
Drawing
A work produced by this art.
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
Drawing
Present participle of draw
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
Drawing
A picture, likeness, diagram or representation, usually drawn on paper.
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
Drawing
The act of producing such a picture.
Picture
A movie.
Drawing
Such acts practiced as a graphic art form.
Picture
A tableau vivant.
Drawing
The process of drawing or pulling something.
Proverb: An official is great in his office as a well is rich in drawings of water.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
Drawing
An act or event in which the outcome (e.g., designating a winner) is selected by chance in the form of a blind draw, notably of lots; especially such a contest in which a winning name or number is selected randomly by removing (or drawing) it from a container, popularly a hat.
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
Drawing
A small portion of tea for steeping.
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
Drawing
The act of pulling, or attracting.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
Drawing
The act or the art of representing any object by means of lines and shades; especially, such a representation when in one color, or in tints used not to represent the colors of natural objects, but for effect only, and produced with hard material such as pencil, chalk, etc.; delineation; also, the figure or representation drawn.
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
Drawing
The process of stretching or spreading metals as by hammering, or, as in forming wire from rods or tubes and cups from sheet metal, by pulling them through dies.
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
Drawing
The process of pulling out and elongating the sliver from the carding machine, by revolving rollers, to prepare it for spinning.
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
Drawing
The distribution of prizes and blanks in a lottery.
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
Drawing
An illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book or magazine;
It is shown by the drawing in Fig. 7
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
Drawing
A representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines;
Drawings of abstract forms
He did complicated pen-and-ink drawings like medieval miniatures
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
Drawing
The creation of artistic drawings;
He learned drawing from his father
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
Drawing
Players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed according to the drawing of lots
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Drawing
Act of getting or draining something such as electricity or a liquid from a source;
The drawing of water from the well
Picture
A figure; a model.
Drawing
The act of moving a load by drawing or pulling
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Common Curiosities
What tools are used to create a drawing?
Common tools include pencils, pens, ink, and charcoal.
Can drawings be considered less realistic than pictures?
Drawings can range from highly realistic to abstract, depending on the artist's intentions, unlike pictures which typically aim for realism.
Are pictures always taken with a camera?
Yes, pictures are generally taken with cameras, either film or digital.
What is a picture?
A picture is a visual representation captured through cameras, emphasizing accurate and realistic portrayal.
How is a drawing different from a picture?
A drawing is an artistic depiction created by hand, focusing on interpretation rather than exact replication.
How do the purposes of pictures and drawings differ?
Pictures often serve as documentation or memories, while drawings are frequently used in art and design.
Is one more artistic than the other?
Drawing is often viewed as more artistic due to the personal expression involved, whereas photography is sometimes seen as more technical.
What are the educational requirements for each?
Photography and drawing both can require formal education or self-taught skills, but artistic techniques in drawing might need more practice to master.
Can a picture be artistic?
Yes, pictures can also be artistic, especially in fields like fine art photography.
Do pictures or drawings take longer to create?
Generally, drawings take longer to create, requiring more involvement, whereas pictures can be captured almost instantaneously.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
