Please Full-View!

This is without a doubt the most difficult artistic project I’ve ever completed. It took eleven months from concept to finish (mostly because of Sesshomaru’s evil, evil sleeve). So for those of you who ask why I don’t do original poses more often, this is why. But hopefully it was worth the wait!

Special thanks to ~tarkheki for all her encouragement, and to everyone who gave me such wonderful, amazing comments on the WIP. I would have given up on this long ago if it weren’t for you guys.


Q: "Why does Sesshomaru look so sad?"

A: While I prefer that the viewer come up with his or her own interpretation of what’s going on in this picture, I have been asked this question so many times that I feel compelled to address it here.

Let me start off by saying that there is no narrative story that goes along with this. I don’t know what happened before this moment and I have no idea what will happen after it has passed. I drew it long before the “Rin and Sesshomaru’s Adventures in Hell” manga story arc came along so it doesn’t relate to that, although it can if you want it to. Rin is not meant to be dead, ill, or dying in this picture (but again, if it means more to you that way then feel free to interpret it as such). Basically, I wanted to show a moment where Sesshomaru lets his stoic mask slip and we’re allowed to see how he really feels about Rin. I wanted it to look like he loves her so much that it’s killing him. Add to that fear of losing her, guilt over the various kidnappings she’s been subjected to because of him, etc. So, hopefully this answers the question. I am always open to discussing it further in case it doesn’t.






*Image updated on 11-27-06
Original drawing done in pencil (10 months)
Coloring done in Photoshop 7 with a Wacom tablet (50+ hours)

Click to see detail close-up
Click to see concept and WIP sketches


Inuyasha is © to Rumiko Takahashi
Artwork is © to me. Do not use or repost. If you see this anywhere other than right here, please notify me.