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I'm reading through a book on how to draw in a classic Japanese manga style.
Specifically, the book is about the basics of `デッサン`, "sketching".

They use the term `アタリ` a lot. For example, this typical sentence:

> アタリ線{せん}は残{のこ}っている。下描{したが}きのりんかく線{せん}がはっきりわかるように、アタリはごく薄{うす}い線{せん}で描{か}こう。

The context is that in the example drawing, they have more or less finished
the drawing by having laid down the bolder lines that emphasize the final
image, while leaving some of the sketchy lines underneath so one can see the
original contours used to create it.

`アタリ線{せん}` clearly refers to the "final" lines, so I guess that could work as
a translation. But obviously "final" is far from a literal translation of
`アタリ`.

Looking up `アタリ` specifically in katakana, I see that it is defined as
"collision, overlapping". Overlapping makes sense, but it still feels off to
use it directly. When one is drawing, one doesn't merely sketch and sketch
until overlapping lines become the ones you keep (at least, that's not the
default assumption. I guess some people might draw like that). Instead, one
deliberately lays down the lines one intends to keep.

Translating `アタリ線{せん}` as "overlapping lines" seems to convey too much
serendipity.

"Bold" lines? "Clean" lines? "True" lines?

What would be the best translation for `アタリ` in this context?

* * *

**Bonus question:** Does the katakana `アタリ` come from `当{あ}たる`, `中{あた}る`, or
maybe a different origin? I ask because I notice that when I look it up using
katakana, I get different definitions than when I look it up using kanji.
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2012-01-04T07:17:45.463
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2012-01-04T15:25:39.653
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question
word-choice translation
What's the best translation of アタリ in the context of drawing?
Maybe it comes from '[辺]{あた}り'?

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=y2vWL5KS9Sg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=y2vWL5KS9Sg)

アタリ線 is not the final line at least, because:
<http://www17.oekakibbs.com/bbs/poo_middle/45300/45181.png>

It's also referred to as '[補助]{ほじょ}[線]{せん}'(auxiliary line?).
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2012-01-04T08:43:46.883
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2012-01-04T15:25:39.653
2012-01-04T15:25:39.653
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answer
アタリ線 refers to the lines that are laid down to delineate the rough shape and
position of limbs, elements, etc; usually in the later stages of sketching.

[辺り]{あたり} is the likely source of the term; meaning "around; in the vicinity".
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2012-01-04T13:05:52.790
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2012-01-04T13:05:52.790
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answer