My recent (and sudden) interest in manga has given way to trying my hand at something I’d always wished to be good at: drawing. I have zero skills when it comes to drawing by hand but I try not to let an empty tool chest stop me from starting something. While I am a long way from being able to draw something from scratch, I’ve found it very relaxing to re-create some of my favourite images from the manga I’m reading (or at least: the ones I think I can draw).

I started with Bleach and my favourite character so far: Rukia Kuchiki. The below sketch represents about seven hours of gradual work, and it was within those seven hours that I discovered how calming and therapeutic drawing can be. I’ve taken to putting on some comfort television (lately: another rewatch of The Office) and going about my work-in-progress. It’s become a really nice way to end a day and wind down for sleep.