絵

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 絵, read え, means a drawn or painted picture.
• Basic usage: Use it for a drawing someone makes or artwork displayed on a wall.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The verb for drawing
  • Use 描く, as in the example 絵を描きました. Distinguish it from 書く, used for writing characters.
• Compared with a photograph
  • 写真 is a photograph, while 絵 refers to a drawing or painting.