also: がし
noun
Traditional term for a painter or artist, especially in historical or classical contexts. Can refer to ukiyo-e artists or court painters.
江戸時代の絵師、葛飾北斎は世界的に有名だ。
The Edo-period painter Katsushika Hokusai is world-famous.
この屏風絵は無名の絵師によって描かれた。
This folding screen painting was done by an unknown artist.
noun
Only with reading えし
Internet slang for an illustrator, especially one who draws digital art, manga-style illustrations, or fan art. Often used in online communities.
Twitterで人気の絵師にアイコンを描いてもらった。
I had a popular illustrator on Twitter draw my icon.
あの絵師の同人誌はいつもすぐに売り切れる
That illustrator's doujinshi always sells out quickly.
Rare variant reading; Restricted がし to this form. Not commonly used.
Rare variant spelling for えし; no priority is specified.
Compound of 絵 (e, 'picture') and 師 (shi, 'master' or 'specialist'). The reading がし for 画師 is a rare Sino-Japanese variant.