刻画 kèhuà to portray
How to remember 刻画: 刻 quarter (hour) + 画 drawing = to portray.
Characters
How it is used
- To depict/portray a character or image in detail, esp. in writing or art - 小说刻画了一个悲剧人物 (xiǎoshuō kèhuàle yí gè bēijù rénwù) the novel portrays a tragic figure.
- Usual object is 人物、形象、性格 (character, image, personality); collocation 刻画得很生动 vividly drawn.
- Literary/critical register; not for physical drawing (that's 画) but for characterization.