noun
Refers specifically to a person who creates paintings or drawings as a profession or serious pursuit. While 'artist' is a broader term, in Japanese 画家 is strongly associated with painting.
彼は有名な画家です。
He is a famous painter.
その画家の展覧会に行ってきました。
I went to an exhibition of that painter's work.
Compound of 画 (picture, painting) and 家 (person, specialist). A straightforward kanji compound meaning 'painting specialist'.