写生

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 写生 (しゃせい) combines depiction 写 and life 生 to denote sketching directly from a real subject.
• Basic usage: It describes drawing a pond on location and taking sketching supplies outdoors.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Drawing from observation
  • 写生する relies on a subject present before the artist rather than creating the entire image from memory or imagination.