Bosquejo vs. esbozo vs. croquis
Spanish language contains a number of words that can translate to 'sketch' in English, including 'bosquejo', 'esbozo', and 'croquis'. Understanding the subtle differences between these terms requires looking at each one individually.
Bosquejo
'Bosquejo' refers to a preliminary or initial draft of a work. This could be a drawing, but it could also refer to other creative works like writings or plans.
Hice un bosquejo de mi novela antes de comenzar.
(I sketched out my novel before beginning.)
El arquitecto presentó un bosquejo del diseño del edificio.
(The architect presented a sketch of the building’s design.)
Esbozo
'Esbozo' also implies a preliminary depiction of something but tends to refer more to the hint or essence of the subject rather than being a rough draft. It's mostly used when referring to artistic activities.
El pintor dibujó un esbozo antes de pintar.
(The painter drew a sketch before painting.)
Creó un esbozo de su personaje antes de desarrollar su personalidad completa.
(He created an outline of his character before developing his full personality.)
Croquis
'Croquis' refers to a rough drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It can also refer to a map or plan.
Hizo un croquis del camino para que no me perdiera.
(He made a rough sketch of the road so I wouldn't get lost.)
El diseñador propuso un croquis de la moda futura.
(The designer proposed a sketch for future fashion design.)
Summary
While 'bosquejo', 'esbozo', and 'croquis' can all be used to mean 'sketch' in English, there are differences. The word 'bosquejo' usually signifies an early draft of artwork or writing. 'Esbozo' leans towards capturing the essence or outline of the subject, mostly in artistic terms. Meanwhile, 'croquis' indicates a quick, undetailed drawing, often used for maps or plans.