1. a reddish-brown earth pigment used in painting and drawing, especially for preliminary sketches
Usage: art terminology
2. a preliminary drawing or sketch made with sinopia pigment, especially on a wall before applying fresco
Usage: art terminology; historical

Examples

• The artist used sinopia to create the initial sketch on the wall.
• Renaissance painters often employed sinopia for their preliminary drawings.
• The restorers discovered beautiful sinopia beneath the damaged fresco.
• Sinopia was a popular pigment among medieval and Renaissance artists.
• The museum displayed examples of sinopia drawings from the 14th century.
• Art students learned to work with traditional pigments like sinopia.