Today I finally found some time to complete this task that was pending for over a fortnight. It feels incredibly rewarding to return to the sketchbook and dedicate focused energy to a single piece—in this case, a study of Inosuke Hashibira from Demon Slayer.
This wasn’t just a casual exercise; it was a seven-hour commitment to technical detail. I spent the vast majority of that time—roughly 4.5 hours—on the initial sketch, as I wanted to ensure the anatomy and the wild, kinetic energy of the character were structurally sound. After a quick 10-minute outline to lock in the forms, I moved into the most significant part of the journey: the shading.
This project marked my very first attempt at pencil shading. I spent about 90 minutes experimenting with graphite to create depth and volume, specifically focusing on the textures of Inosuke’s boar mask and his muscular definition. Seeing the character transform from a flat sketch into a three-dimensional form was a revelation.
Beyond the finished drawing, I’ve gained a profound sense of technical confidence. I learned more about light and form in these few hours than I expected, and I’m already eager to carry this momentum into even larger, more ambitious projects.
I made a lot of mistake along the way, yet once they are on paper they become permament in some case, but errors can become feature with the right mindset.
