These words refer to the vivid presentation of material in the graphic arts or some other medium of communication. Portray , most specifically, suggests capturing a likeness, usually of a single person: a painting that portrayed the actress in her most famous role. It is frequently used, however, to refer to the detailed discussion of any subject, concrete or abstract: an article that attempted to portray the habits of the typical Australian family. Even in its most abstract uses, the word still suggests catching something in its most characteristic aspect. Depict is similar to portray but more general in suggesting the artistic re-creation of any scene: depicting the landscape just at the moment of its greatest autumnal ripeness. Where portray suggests catching the most revealing aspect of something, depict suggests a choice between equally valid possibilities: depicting the 19th century in light of the Industrial Revolution. The word may also suggest a deliberate departure from reality: actually depicting me, without a shred of evidence, as a scheming charlatan.

Delineate , in the graphic arts, usually refers to a line drawing, but one that is subtle and careful about accuracy and detail. In other media the word suggests the same fullness and vividness: delineating in a magazine article the many undercurrents of dissent that affected the election; The actress delineated with remarkable versatility the many-faceted character of Catherine the Great.

Sketch is used in application to a quick usually undetailed, rendering of a subject, but one that is nonetheless readily recognizable; while the word may imply haste, it does not necessarily indicate carelessness or inaccuracy: quickly sketching a dress that was being modelled in a fashion show; sketching out the main points of the subject matter which he would cover exhaustively later in the term.

Represent and describe are less dependent on the context of the visual arts for their implications. Of the two, only represent can be used in this context at all, in which case it is more like depict than portray : a woodcut representing the harbour as it appeared to the first settlers. In any context, represent can imply a symbolic or typical rather than a literal rendering: a classic statue that represents the human body as devoid of individuality; representing nuclear proliferation as the greatest threat to world peace. It can also suggest the arbitrary choosing of one thing to stand for something else, even when there is no resemblance between the two things: In describing the bombing mission at dinner, he used water glasses to represent enemy targets. Describe , most specifically, suggests the citing of details that will create a visual image in the mind of an audience; it thus suggests a context of discussion or the verbal arts: a novelist who can vividly describe a landscape; a patient able to describe his symptoms accurately to the doctor. Unlike represent and depict , describe necessarily suggests a literal, realistic rendering.