illustrator / draftsman
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illustrator / artist
A person who creates drawings professionally or as a hobby, for example for comics, caricatures, or illustrations.
Der Zeichner der berühmten Comic-Serie gab eine Autogrammstunde.
The illustrator of the famous comic series held an autograph session.
The word is derived directly from the verb 'zeichnen' (to draw). The ending '-er' refers to a male person who performs this activity. So a 'Zeichner' is someone who draws.
Schon als Kind wollte er Zeichner werden.
Even as a child, he wanted to become an illustrator.
To distinguish between the artist and the technical specialist, pay attention to the context. Words like 'Comic' (comic), 'Karikatur' (caricature), or 'Kunst' (art) point to the artist, while 'technisch' (technical), 'Bauplan' (construction plan), or 'Architektur' (architecture) refer to the specialist.
Der Zeichner entwarf die Figuren für einen neuen Animationsfilm.
The illustrator designed the characters for a new animated film.
In the technical field, the combination 'technischer Zeichner' (technical draftsman) is often used to clearly distinguish the job title from the artistic activity.
Sie macht eine Ausbildung zur technischen Zeichnerin im Bereich Maschinenbau.
She is training to become a technical draftsman in the field of mechanical engineering.
The meaning in finance is purely technical language. It is used only in the context of shares, bonds, or other securities.
Die Bank agierte als Zeichner für die neu ausgegebenen Aktien.
The bank acted as a subscriber for the newly issued shares.
artist
'der Künstler' and 'der Zeichner' can both refer to people who do creative work. 'Künstler' is the broader term and can mean many art forms, for example painting, music, or sculpture. 'Zeichner' is more specific: this person makes drawings, such as illustrations, comics, or technical plans. The words can be confused when someone draws beautiful pictures. In that case, he can be a 'Zeichner' and also a 'Künstler'. But if only the activity of drawing is important, 'Zeichner' is more precise. For art in general, 'Künstler' is more natural.
Mein Nachbar ist Zeichner und erstellt Pläne für ein Architekturbüro.
My neighbor is a draftsman and creates plans for an architecture firm.
Sie ist Künstlerin und arbeitet in der Pause an einer neuen Skulptur.
She is an artist and is working on a new sculpture during the break.