Unlock the mystery: The essential sketch for a completed work

As a detective, when I see a crossword clue like ‘Sketch done in preparation for a finished piece,‘ my first instinct is to consider what kind of artistic process might involve such a step. The word ‘sketch‘ suggests that it could be related to drawing or painting. Another word that comes to mind is ‘study,‘ which refers to a preliminary drawing or painting created to prepare for a more detailed finished work. As I delve deeper, I recall that many famous artists, such as Da Vinci or Michelangelo, devoted much of their time to creating studies before diving into a finished work. This insight solidifies my conclusion that ‘study‘ is the answer to this crossword clue. The use of ‘finished piece‘ in the clue suggests that the artist is creating with a final result in mind, and the choice of the word ‘sketch‘ over ‘finished drawing‘ emphasizes that the preliminary step is much less detailed and quick than the final product. Overall, this thought process helps me to accurately solve the mystery of the crossword clue, bringing me one step closer to cracking the case.