I envisioned Tanjiro at the zenith of a battle, not just with an opponent, but with his innermost fears and doubts. This piece is a snapshot of that decisive moment where he gathers his courage, represented by the vibrant aura that emanates from his being and sword. I wanted to capture the essence of his spirit — the quiet strength and the raw energy ready to be unleashed in defense of what he holds dear.

The colors were chosen to reflect the intensity of this moment; the oranges and yellows are not merely shades but are visual representations of the energy within Tanjiro. The warmth of the palette is intentional, drawing the eye to the heart of his determination — his gaze, which is the true window into his resolve.

My focus was on the character, hence the decision to keep the background to a minimum. It serves as a stage that does not distract but rather amplifies the drama of the subject. The choice to position Tanjiro slightly off-center was to give the piece a sense of impending motion, a prelude to the action that follows.

The textures and lighting effects were carefully crafted using digital tools, aiming to add depth and a tangible feel to the image. I allowed some brushstrokes to remain visible, embracing the rawness they bring to the digital canvas — a reflection of the unrefined energy in the scene.