#portfolio preparation program

[littleartistsblog]

Portfolio Preparation for SOTA , DSA and Art Institutes in Singapore and Across the Globe

Little Artists Portfolio Preparation Program nurtures creativity and excellence in visual arts and design, catering to all skill levels. With 25 years of experience, our program guides students to success in top institutes globally. Led by qualified instructors, students develop unique portfolios, gaining confidence in painting, sketching, and sculpting. Our tailored curriculum emphasizes individuality and artistic expression, preparing students for SOTA, LASALLE, NAFA, and renowned universities worldwide. The IGCSE Preparation & Support Portfolio Program, curated by our Studio Director, fosters conceptual thinking and technical skills development. Whether beginner or experienced, students explore materials and methodologies to achieve exceptional outcomes. More at- https://little-artists.com/our-programs/portfolio-preparation/#

[sinister-sunray]

my artstyle really has been through a character arc and a half

[ashcan-studio]

Learn Digital Character Design! - Expression, Proportion, Gesture, Anatomy, Personality and more!

The Character Design program leads you step-by-step through the process of creating great characters. This includes learning about character expression and proportion, as well as the fundamentals of gesture drawing, anatomy, character personality, clothing and character angles and perspectives. Ashcan Digital Academy Based on this learning, you will develop and complete a series of dynamic…

[bulkhummus]

if you are young and impressionable and are planning to go to art school because you love art and want it to be your life. please PLEASE P L E A S E ask what the program is going to do to prepare you for a job in your field and for a life as a self employed artist. if they can't give you a good answer that includes how to network amongst artists and galleries, how to interview well and build a portfolio, access to internships, apprenticeships or assistant positions, and how to essentially create your own business (because you are your own business if you are s self employed artist) then find a different school and program. im so for real and so serious. school is too expensive for them NOT to help you make a profession out of what you're going for

[terrorcamp]

Terror Camp is hiring!

We are looking to expand our volunteer staff for this year’s conference.

We have two job listings based on our current needs, but if we receive a lot of great applicants there is the possibility we’ll split up these responsibilities into 3 or even 4 separate positions.

Terror Camp is a fully volunteer, remote, asynchronous workplace (with occasional sync meetings as schedules permit). We communicate over Discord and organize our documentation over Notion and Google Drive.

We are looking for people who can devote up to a few hours a week, depending on the time of year. Commitment increases around the times of Submission Opening (June 1), Submission Closing/Acceptances (September 1-Oct 1) and the conference itself (early December).

Terror Camp looks great on your resume. You can say that you volunteer for a successful community-led online history & heritage conference with an audience in the thousands!

You don’t need to match the job descriptions perfectly in order to apply. If your experience doesn’t match up but you think you’d still be good at the job, please apply anyway!

Here are the positions we're looking to fill:

🎨 Designer 🎨

Terror Camp is seeking a dedicated Designer who will:

Ideate and deliver a new evergreen brand identity for TC that can be revamped and reused each year

Including logo, logotype, color scheme, font families, and other brand assets for use on web, social media, and printed merch

Be an proactive team member with strong communication skills, able to quickly and regularly deliver new graphics for promotional use on social media and in email marketing

Help design an evergreen/permanent collection of merchandise as well as a limited-edition collection for this year’s conference

Assist our Webmaster in revising our website & email marketing templates to fully match new brand identity and meet best practices for UX

Potentially work on print layout for a Terror Camp book or zine (TBD)

This job would be a good fit if you:

Work or have worked professionally or semi-professionally as a graphic designer; or are a hobbyist designer with a standout portfolio

Have experience working with both digital and print assets

Have a working knowledge of web design best practices and HTML/CSS

Have experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva (but not ONLY Canva, sorry) and Wix or similar WYSIWYG ESP/site builder

The Designer will report to our Assistant Director/Webmaster, & will also collaborate closely with our Marketing Lead on graphic assets for social media and with our Merch Lead on preparing designs for print.

To apply, please fill out this form.

💬 Communications Coordinator 💬

Terror Camp is seeking an enthusiastic Communications Coordinator who will:

Own Terror Camp’s main email inbox and oversee all direct communication with attendees and interested parties

Respond promptly to inquiries including:

Requests for past recordings

Requests to join the Discord

Questions about schedule, programming, submissions, guests, and other conference topics

Catch inbounds to social media inboxes (Tumblr, X, Bluesky, Insta) & answer or redirect to email as appropriate

Act as coordinator/assistant for Marketing Lead, with responsibilities including:

Scheduling pre-written content

Assisting with ideating and drafting content, proposing content ideas

Cross-posting content to multiple platforms

Consistently and frequently engaging with social audiences (finding content to repost, replying to people, etc)

This job would be a good fit if you:

Work or have worked in any digital customer-facing environment; have experience with support tickets and/or ongoing user communications; have run social media for brands or institutions; are an efficient and clear writer able to work creatively within brand voice guidelines

Have successfully and sustainably moderated Discord servers, Tumblr communities, social media for other fandom projects like fests, zines, and charity events

Can spare the time and attention to respond to inquiries and turn around new social media posts in a timely manner

Are prepared to represent the Terror Camp brand professionally and maturely in digital public spaces

The Communications Coordinator will report directly to our Marketing Lead.

To apply, please fill out this form.

If you have any questions about these positions, please email us at command [at] terror [dot] camp!

[thehanalia]

THE SUBTLE ART OF BECOMING FINANCIALLY FREE IN 2024 💸 🎀 ྀིྀི

Hey girlies, Hanalia is back, ready to dive into some real talk about achieving financial freedom. No fluff, just hardcore truths to help you grow and secure your future like the badass queens you are.

1. Know Your Worth: Ladies, let's talk real. Your value isn't about how many likes you get or what brand you wear. It's about your talents, your skills, and your drive to succeed. Invest in yourself—learn, grow, and never underestimate what you bring to the table.

˖⁺‧₊ It's not just about earning money; it's about how you invest it. Our aim is growth, and often, you need income to invest in yourself. ˖⁺‧₊

2. Budget Like a Boss: Financial freedom starts with knowing where your money goes, okay. Time to get real with those finances. Budgeting isn't about restrictions; it's about empowerment. I used to think it was all about penny-pinching, but it's really about knowing where every dollar goes and making intentional choices.

3. Crush Debt: Debt can feel overwhelming, trust me, I've been there. But facing it head-on is how you break free. Start with the high-interest stuff, make a plan, and stick to it like your future depends on it—because it does.

˖⁺‧₊ Debt can feel like quicksand, but you're no damsel in distress. The sooner you free yourself from debt, the sooner you'll have more money to build your empire.˖⁺‧₊

4. Invest Wisely: Investing isn't just for the rich. Start small, educate yourself, and build your portfolio. I've learned that the sooner you start, the more your money can grow over time. It's about making your money work for you, not the other way around.

˖⁺‧₊ PS. Forget the lottery mentality. Real wealth is built through smart investing. Educate yourself on stocks, bonds, real estate—whatever piques your interest. Start small, diversify, and let your money work for you.˖⁺‧₊

5. Build Multiple Streams of Income: Oh my osh! I cannot stress enough the importance of this! Your 9-to-5 isn't your only option. I've hustled with side gigs, freelancing—you name it. Multiple streams of income give you security and freedom. Don't limit yourself—explore what lights you up and brings in the cash.

6. Protect Yourself: Life's unpredictable, but you can be prepared. Having health insurance and an emergency fund can be lifesavers. It's about peace of mind and knowing you're covered, no matter what.

˖⁺‧₊ Get health insurance, build an emergency fund, and consider long-term savings like retirement plans.˖⁺‧₊

7. Own Your Future: Financial freedom isn't an end goal; it's a mindset. It's about having choices and the power to live life on your terms. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and never settle for less than you deserve.

Your money is your shield. Make it stronger, fairly. I completely understand that nowadays there are countless ways to earn income, but always choose the ones that align with your values.

You can click here to get your own goodnotes planner at my store GlowInGrow at 75% DISCOUNT.

However, if you're into making some extra cash while you hustle towards your goals, I've got this cool affiliate program, click here to JOIN US 30% COMMISSION. It's all about empowering each other to glow and grow. Let's support each other on this journey, because together, we're unstoppable. 💪💸

Last but not least, at the end of your journey of becoming that girl awaits the future who is The Girl!

Stay safe and stay hot...

With Love, Hanalia

[wheeloffortune-design]

I'm so happy for your new job opportunity man!!!!! I've been following your journey for a while and your updates have started feeling like the ones from a neighbour :) go kick ass!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you! :D Yeah, it's been a whole journey since I lost my job last september.... if i recall correctly, in the last four months, I-

crammed all the dentist appointments i could get in two weeks before my insurance ran out = 5h total of getting cavities filled

spent so much time applying to jobs, first in the artistic domain i wanted, then for management/desk jobs, then retail. i made a dozen CVs, a bunch of portfolios, countless cover letters. it took two months, and only the art store called me back.

went to two small conventions and gave presentations in both

had an artist table at the rpg convention so i had to prepare prints and stuff

drew a whole pinup calendar in a couple of weeks

built an online store and set the print on demand system to sell prints and said calendars

somewhere around that was halloween. i was a sexy pirate.

wrote a short-story in three days to meet a deadline

drew a lot of commissions, one of them with cars, it was hard

got a retail job at the art store

turned 40! my friends brought face makeup at the party, i was a pink spiderman.

worked full time at the art store, was physically exhausting

completely reorganized the framing department

a friend told me about a storyboarding opportunity that would open in january, showed me how to use the program

christmas rush

lost my grandma, was a very hard time for the family

awkward holidays

between christmas and new year i learned how to use storyboard pro and made a animatic as a portfolio piece (while working 40h)

new year. my resolution is fame and fortune.

had to prepare the kickstarter plan for the upcoming novel

grandma's funeral

online cover reveal party for the book

corrected the line edits of Mrs. Victoria, reread the whole book in three days

the studio liked the animatic i send, they made me take a storyboarding test, which took two days

reminder that i'm still working a 40h/week job and coming back home most days at 9pm. it's winter, in canada.

the test was accepted, i negotiated the contract

and today i told the art store i was leaving

i'm startig the new job on monday.

so yeah, i haven't stopped for a moment in the last four months. i still have some commissions to draw, and then i'll start writing and drawing stuff for the kickstarter, but i'll have a lot more time, money, and energy to tackle all this.

(i'm very lucky that i was finally medicated for adhd just before all of this, i couldn't have made it without my friend concerta.)

so this is gonna be me for the next couple of days, lots of sleep, maybe play a video game. make the puzzle i received at christmas.

[ppyopulii]

maestro’s muse 💿 applications open!

PREVIEW. The show’s about to start… are you ready to be in charge of the music? Apply now to become an organizer for HYBE University’s 10th annual hackathon! 🎶

FEATURING. lee jihoon x gn!reader, various non-idol!hybe groups & reader GENRE(S). coming of age, fluff, some angst EXPLICITS. none!

JAY’S MUSINGS. prologue (part one) for maestro’s muse, the series. this one is relatively short (think of it as a teaser, almost), but part two should be up in a few days! enjoy :)

www.hybehax.tech/apply

⏳ Loading Application…

HYBEHAX is a 24-hour collegiate level hackathon where hackers come together at HYBE University to compete and bring innovation to life. This year, our theme specializes in music and creating a festival everyone can enjoy. Interested in working the event? Fill out the questionnaire below and our team will reach out to you once the application period has ended.

SECTION ONE — General Application

* Indicates a required field.

What year of college are you going to be for the upcoming school year?*

◻️ Freshman/First-Year

☑️ Sophomore/Second-Year

◻️ Junior/Third-Year

◻️ Senior/Fourth-Year

◻️ Other (please specify):

What teams would you be interested in applying for?*

Note: You are allowed to pick more than one team, but should you be asked to interview with us, you will only end up placed on one team.

◻️ Marketing Team (handles social media content and outreach)

◻️ Sponsorship Team (specializes in securing and managing POCs with sponsoring companies)

◻️ Tech Team (manages the digital infrastructure of our hackathon, such as the websites/forms/app)

☑️ Design Team (works on merchandise and various designs for social media, sponsors and digital platforms)

Would you be interested in a leadership position, i.e. Team Lead?*

Team Leads delegate specific tasks to members and collaborate with other Leads/E-board to ensure preparations are properly managed in a timely manner.

☑️ Yes, I’d be interested!

◻️ No, I’d like to only contribute as a HYBEHAX organizer.

Tell us a little about yourself!*

What’s your story? What drew you to want to become an organizer for HYBEHAX? 200 words max.

Hello! As a rising sophomore and current freshman, I could only be a volunteer for this past hackathon season. However, the energy I was met with was like no other; I had never before seen so many wonderful people bond together in a space to share, create, and be known for their accomplishments. I found myself inspired by the passion the hackers embodied and want to work towards creating a similar space this year, especially in light of it being the 10th year anniversary. I hope to bring that same energy and creativity to the table as an organizer! Thank you for this opportunity!

-> Next Section

SECTION TWO — Design Team Application

* Indicates a required field.

Which of the following design programs do you have experience with?*

Check all that apply.

☑️ Adobe Illustrator

☑️ Adobe Photoshop

☑️ Canva

☑️ Figma

☑️ Others (fill out as you see fit): also have experience in procreate, as well as designing stickers with brandmaker & t-shirts/hoodies specifically with custom-ink!

What made you apply for Design Team?*

200 words max.

As a computer science major who has a hobby for all things artistic, I’ve always been interested in the intersection of the two. I believe that integrating technology and the arts is crucial for navigating our ever-changing world. I love using what I know about computer science to further my passion for art, such as messing around with designing UI/UX interfaces for applications and then coding them up. I think it’s fun :)

(OPTIONAL) Portfolio Upload

📎 www.lyrart.com/home

(OPTIONAL) Resume Upload

📎 resume20XX.pdf

-> Submit Application

⏳ Submitting…

Thank you for applying to be a HYBEHAX organizer! Our team will reach out to you soon after the application period ends with results.

[mariacallous]

The Education Department is moving to lay off half of its more than 4,000 employees Tuesday evening, according to four sources inside the agency who were told about the plans.

It's not yet clear what specific department positions were affected, though officials planned to tell affected employees this evening, sources told Inside Higher Ed. The department previously offered employees buyouts to cut down on the workforce. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the department told staff that DC offices would be closed Wednesday and reopen Thursday for “security reasons,” according to an email obtained by Inside Higher Ed. One staffer said they were told by department officials that the closure was due to the reduction in force. 

The email instructed department staff to take their laptops home with them on Tuesday in order to telework Wednesday, and that they would “not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason.”

Some department staff were notified of the impending layoffs during meetings with top department officials—including an acting deputy secretary—on Tuesday afternoon, according to sources inside the department who spoke with Inside Higher Ed on background.

The expected cuts are part of a government-wide strategy to reduce the federal workforce. All federal agency officials were told last month to start preparing for a “large scale reduction in force” and eliminate all “non-statutorily mandated functions.”

While the government layoffs are wide-reaching, President Trump has frequently targeted the Education Department for cuts, even vowing to shut down the agency. That would require Congressional action, but Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon can make deep cuts to the agency even if they don't abolish it all together.

Trump is reportedly planning to sign an executive order directing McMahon to “take all necessary steps” to return authority over education to the states and facilitate closure of the Department of Education “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law,” according to draft text reviewed by Inside Higher Ed.

Higher education groups and advocates have warned that cutting staff and programs at the department would be catastrophic for institutions and students, though critics say the agency is in need of a serious overhaul. State higher education officials, university administrators, non profit advocacy groups and students depend on the Education Department to oversee federal student aid, manage the student loan portfolio, investigate civil rights complaints and allocate billions of dollars in institutional aid, among other operations. The department, which has an $80 billion discretionary budget, issues about $100 billion in student loans and more than $30 billion in Pell Grants.

The Education Department did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.

The massive personnel cuts—the largest in the department’s history—will likely impact most agencies and offices in the department, including the Office of Federal Student Aid, sources say. Within FSA, the cuts will be most severe among teams that work directly on policy and higher education oversight, including the Ombudsman Office, which investigates student complaints into student loan practices and financial aid.

Staffers at the Education Department have been anticipating the reduction in force for the past week. Last Tuesday, department leaders called a meeting to discuss the impending layoffs but canceled at the last minute. Meanwhile, staff have been awaiting the executive order from Trump to close down the department since last Wednesday.

“Everyone’s ready,” one exhausted staffer told Inside Higher Ed.

Other federal agencies have started to lay off thousands of employees via a planned reduction in force, a process that should give them 60 days notice. At the Environmental Protection Agency, Trump expects 65 percent of the workforce to go, according to Government Executive, a trade publication tracking the layoffs. Last week, the Veterans Affairs Department said it was laying off 80,000 people.

[ppumeonae-bigvibe]

for you, i'll wait

↖ navigation: seventeen masterlist || main masterlist

pairing: bf! wonwoo x gn! reader

↬ tags: 6 months abroad thats crazy!, talks about landing an overseas placement , wonwoo being a supportive bf! but wonu missing you loads, sappy sappy, very indulgent fanfic, small segment on the waiting part is so surreal for me, not mentioned but i want the readers to imagine that you and wonu are in a newly founded relationship!

summary: just like this, everyday he will wait for you, always (inspired from plave's wait for you)

word count: 882 words

"wonwoo! wonwoo!"

he puts down the phone in his hands, watching as you clumsily toed off your shoes at the doorway before rushing to him by the sofa.

"easy does it, baby."

"you know the interview i was preparing for? i got accepted."

a sense of pride surged through wonwoo’s veins and his lips curved into that beautiful smirk you liked.

"congrats, my love. i knew you could do it." he softly praised you. letting you lean against him, your head rested comfortably on his left shoulder as you snuggled closer to his side. you held up the confirmation mail and wonwoo immediately spots the salutations from the of the letter addressed to you.

his blood then runs cold then hot a second later.

"the…overseas one?" silence blanketed the two of you and he averted his gaze, afraid his eyes might tell too much.

“yeah and...the program will start next month, based on this letter." wonwoo knew how much you've been trying for a work-study program overseas with this particular company you really looked up to.

"but 6 months overseas—" he tried to not his disappointment show and chose to zip his mouth. leaning back, wonwoo exhales through his nose. he wrestles with his inner desires versus yours.

“they are waiting for my reply…i need to get back by tomorrow latest or they will pass the opportunity to someone else.”

he should be happy that you got accepted: you worked hard for it and he was rooting for you every step of the way. he'd been really supportive too, accompanying you to the multiple rounds of interviews and even going to the extent of preparing your portfolio together.

wonwoo begrudgingly accepts the situation at hand. he opens up his arms and you immediately move into his embrace. "if you’re asking me for an opinion, you know i’m gonna tell you to chase your dreams…but damn i’m going to miss you lot... like incredibly." a sigh uncontrollably leaves his lips and he hides his face in the juncture of your neck to calm his racing heart.

he hugs you tight like he doesn’t want you to go and your heart wrenched at his sudden display of affection. “i’m gonna miss you just as much too.” you soothed him, carding your hands through his hair, matching your breathing with his.

“i’m already missing you.”

—————

it was tough, really tough, trying to cope without you around. wonwoo didn't think he'd be that lovesick fool, but alas, he was just someone who terribly missed their lover.

while you were overseas, he catches himself preparing two cups of tea, only to remember (rather sadly) that you weren't around. he puts on your favorite show, and sits on the right side of the couch because for some reason you preferred the left side. he buys your favorite snacks and tries them for the first time (it was too sweet for his liking): he sees why you like them so much and misses the way you would light up whenever he got them from the mart.

—————

"wonwoo!"

in that moment, it was as if time had stopped. realization hit him like a ton of bricks and he feels his entire self awaken. he immediately puts down the drink in his hand, body reacting faster than his mind did. wonwoo stands up from his seat, eyes scanning the semi-crowded café for you.

he couldn't care less about how multiple pair of eyes were staring at him in the café: you were finally here. the instant his gaze connects with yours, he breaks out into an uncontrollable smile. (a smile couldn't even capture the extend of excited he was to see you.)

heart pounding loudly, he greets you with barely open arms as you sprint to him full force, luggage bag rattling loudly behind you. A bright beam on your face and sparkling eyes

"i'm back!" wonwoo easily catches you with a short chuckle, instantly pulling you into his embrace.

he holds you just a little tighter, for just a little longer. hands coming behind you to cup your lower back and your neck, wonwoo draws you in impossibly close, tucking his head in the juncture of your neck. it felt as if it was a fever dream: you two were just calling despite the time difference the day before, and today you were right in front of him.

"i thought you were going to be there for one more week..." he mumbles into your hair, inhaling your scent. who could blame him for being sappy and misty eyed? he really did miss you.

you giggle in his hold, explaining, "well.. it was a surprise! i know how much you're dying to see me, so i made some arrangements and i'm really back for good this time round." you glanced up at him, eyes sparkling and he stares at you, re-memorizing your every feature, the ones that he dearly loved. leaning forwards, he presses a kiss square on your lips, earning him a surprised gasp from you.

"you've gotten a lot bolder since last time, kissing me in public like that jeon wonwoo..." you hid your blushing face in his firm chest and he laughed, insanely happy that you were back.

"i'm so glad you're here with me now."

@ppumeonae-bigvibe 's work ; likes and reblogs are appreciated <3

[redstrawbluestraw]

Hey guys!!

Quick announcement, but part 2 might take a little longer since I’m in the process of applying for the entertainment program for my school, so a lot of my time is focused on preparing my portfolio.

But!! Still passionate and excited to work on this project, I’m planning for part 2 to be colored !! Thank you guys again for your patience !!

[littleartistsblog]

We offer The Best Art Classes in Singapore, Online & Offline

Little Artists Art Studio is a premier  Fine Art Studio with 25 years of reputation in nurturing and enhancing creativity in children and adults. The art studio enhances and integrates excellence in its students resulting in a long history of budding artists reaching the top universities, institutes, and art colleges globally and in Singapore.

Our student artists go on to build careers at leading institutions including SOTA, LASALLE, NUS, NAFA, NYU, UPenn, Parsons, SCAD, California College Of The Arts, Carnegie Mellon, UChicago, Pratt Institute, Berkeley, Purdue, Northeastern, Syracuse, San Francisco, Royal College Of Art (UK), RMIT (Australia), and beyond.

[kabillieu]

I have the orals defense of my comprehensive portfolios scheduled for next Monday. And then the first draft of my entire dissertation is due on May 1st.

We've been at our bay house since Friday celebrating Dominic's 50th birthday, which was yesterday. This afternoon he and the boys are going back to Alabama and I'm staying put until I finish a draft of my critical introduction for my dissertation. I'll also prepare for my orals defense.

I don't want to do any of this! I want to be done and never think about my decision to get a PhD ever again. But I'm very close, and by this time next week I should be a PhD candidate with a finished draft of my entire dissertation. The only thing that will be left to do after that is to make any changes my committee wants to my dissertation (which should--fingers crossed--take one round of minimal edits) and then schedule my defense. I'll apply for graduation, and get my ass out of this program.

I also have to finish up the work for the two classes I'm teaching.

I'm also still working two part-time freelance jobs.

(Also still homeschooling my big kid.)

On the other side of this I want to spend more time being thoughtful about my kid's curriculum and taking him out to have more learning experiences in the world. I want to go to the movies because I love going to the movies. I want to exercise more. I want to try some new recipes. I want to read books for fun. I want to write poems again. I want to do something art-related that isn't writing. I want to make one in-person friend in the city in which I live. Eventually, I want to add one more freelance job to try to get a little closer to bridging the financial gap that comes with losing my GTA stipend.

ANYWAY. Big challenges are going and big changes are coming, so full speed ahead, I guess.

[passiveechobox]

Under Your Skin CH.1

You kept staring at the email like it might vanish.

Read it once, then again, and again. Still there.

“Congratulations! You’ve been selected for the Central City Tattoo Apprenticeship Program…”

Your breath caught somewhere in your chest. It didn’t matter that the rest of the message sounded like a government form - boring fonts, weird formatting, language like “randomized placement” and “orientation details attached.” It was real, you were in!

All the hours hunched over practice skins, doodling until your fingers cramped, begging friends to let you ruin them permanently... it paid off.

So obviously, you celebrated the only way that made sense, a new tattoo.

Crow’s Nest Ink had a reputation-one of those places everyone’s heard of but no one can describe, your best friend described it as haunted - in a cool way. Like, "somewhere a hot vampire might work." As she had told you dreamily.

Outside, it was all matte-black brick and smoky windows with a crow-shaped wrought iron sign hung overhead, creaking softly in the wind.

Inside was clean, sparklingly so. Minimalistic, all polished metal and exposed beams. The air smelled like antiseptic, ink, and - ever so faintly - citrus soap. Machines buzzed quietly, each artist lost in their own little bubble.

That’s when you saw him.

Levi.

He looked like he belonged there, his hair neatly undercut, eyes sharp, an expression that didn't waver when he called your name. Just a nod, short and precise, and a gesture to follow him.

He didn’t talk much, just asked what you wanted, glanced at your sketch and raised one eyebrow at your placement.

“You want it here?” His gaze dropped to your sternum. Not judging, just curious.

You shrugged. “Go big or go home, right?”

He didn’t answer, curiosity not so much sated as it was ignored, and just handed you a clipboard and a pen.

Before you knew it, you were lying back in his booth, shirt off, the cold table to your back. His hands moved with careful efficiency - no hesitation, no fumbling, exactly how you hoped to be after your apprenticeship. You watched him prepare the inks and finish setting up with watchful eyes, drinking in his movement as if you would be able to mimic it immediately.

And then the needle started, pain bloomed fast, sharp, but manageable. Your cheek twitches, drawing your lips wider for a moment before you adjust.

“Don’t hold your breath,” he said quietly. “It’ll hurt more.”

You exhaled, not having realised you were holding it in the first place.

The session passed in a blur of buzzing, tingling skin, and steady breathing. He didn’t say much, just worked - calm, focused, completely in his element.

Somewhere near the end, when your body had fully adjusted to the pain and your brain felt floaty from the adrenaline, you couldn’t help yourself.

“Guess I can say I’ve finally got art in my heart now.”

Silence. You almot start to feel embarrassed then, so faint you almost missed it, a smile. Just the smallest twitch at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re an idiot,” he muttered.

But he was still smiling. Barely.

That was the moment everything shifted, even if you didn’t know it yet.

Two days later, you showed up groggy and under-caffeinated to your orientation, half-convinced the email had been a prank.

Everyone sat in clusters, some excited, some nervous. You got your envelope, plain white and heavy then, you opened it.

Read the line once - blinked and read it again.

Studio Placement: Crow’s Nest Ink Assigned Mentor: Levi Ackerman

You laughed. Actually laughed, right there in the middle of the room.

Fate, apparently, had a sense of humor.

The bell over the studio door jingled as you walked in again, portfolio tucked under your arm. You didn’t see Levi at first, then he appeared behind the counter, arms crossed, watching you.

“Took you long enough,” he said.

You tried to play it cool, despite the fluttering of your heart threatening to betray you. “Miss me already?” 

He didn’t answer. Just turned and walked toward the back of the shop, pausing long enough to look over his shoulder.

“Well? Let’s go. I’m not here to babysit.”

You followed, heart pounding.

And maybe it was your imagination, but there was that same almost-smile tugging at his mouth again.

You were screwed.

You didn’t expect a warm welcome, but you’d sort of assumed—based on horror stories from other apprentices—that your mentor would mostly sit in the back and let you flounder, offering the occasional grunt of disapproval, but Levi didn’t flounder.

He pointed at a station and told you to set it up, watched you as you did. Said nothing until you stepped back, thinking you were done.

Then he handed you a fresh pair of gloves.

“Again.”

You blinked. “Was something—?”

“Everything.” He crouched beside the station, pointing. “Cord’s in the way. Tape’s sloppy. Where’s your backup ink cap? Your water’s too far - you think you’ll grab that mid-session without twisting your wrist?”

He didn’t sound angry, just matter-of-fact, almost bored.

You did it again.

This time, he showed you—without commentary—how he did it. Every movement smooth, efficient, everything within reach. You watched like it was surgery.

“Always assume you’re working on someone who might pass out, bleed or panic. If your setup slows you down, it screws you both.”

You nodded, filing the information away.

The next surprise was how hands-on he actually was, no disappearing to the back to scroll on his phone. He hovered, offered corrections, even complimented your stencil placement with a noncommittal nod. You caught the twitch of his brow when you prepped your fake skin without being told. Recognition, the kind that meant more than words would have. But it wasn’t all progress, by the time you’d made it to cleaning the station, you were feeling a little proud. You’d remembered everything he said about positioning, equipment order, cross-contamination, or so you thought.

“You missed the base of the arm.” His voice was sharp for the first time all day. Not angry, just sharp. “Corners too.”

You turned back, squinted. “I thought I—”

“You thought wrong.” He tossed you a spray bottle and fresh towel. “Again.”

You wiped it down again and he investigated it like a military inspection.

“Still missed the gap under the tray lip.”

You stared at it, then at him. “How did you—?”

“That’s where grime and dirt hide. Fluids pool. You want to risk someone’s healing for a shortcut?”

“…No.”

“Didn’t think so. Again.”

You cleaned that station five times before he said “good.”

The rest of the afternoon was fake skin. Linework drills. Whip shading. Fill techniques. All while he worked a small tattoo three stations down—a simple forearm piece, something floral and clean. He didn’t say anything, but once or twice, you caught him watching you between passes of the needle, just for a second each time.

At the end of the day, your hand was cramped, your back hurt, and you could still smell disinfectant under your nails.

But Levi gave you a nod. That was it.

It meant everything.

You left the studio exhausted and floating.

Still not sure what exactly you’d proven, but knowing—somehow—you were a little less screwed than you thought.

[doctorsiren]

Is there going to be any more Astro boy AU? Is the story done? No pressure if you need time or just don’t have motivation for the project anymore, I totally get it

I’m totally busy right now preparing my portfolio for my application to my uni’s animation program (which is due in the middle of June) and so I’ll be able to work on it and also the other art stuff I haven’t had the time to do after I submit my application ^^

[gemrocknerd]

I'm an animation student now in a limited program. 90 whole humans, all tight knit and bright eyed and excited to be doing what we worked our asses off to do. And while that's awesome, and I'm super grateful to have had passed portfolio and been accepted into this program, I don't think there's any real art classes or warnings that can prepare you for what really comes with this whole thing. And I don't just mean in like the... typical young "holy shit this is the real world" way, I just mean the way things are now alone. I knew that the real world will be a culture shock, but this isn't a culture shock. It's something else.

Your classmates and yourself are surrounded by this perpetual knowledge that things are weirder now. All of you want to do different things, and all of you have the same dream of creating a story that consumes and inspires others as much as the stories you grew up with consumed and inspired you. Every single person in that room has an OC, or a grandiose story in their mind they've had since they were a kid; even the professors. But there's this understanding that, even with all the absolute, complete and utter passion you may have for this concept; there is no promise under the current environment of late stage capitalism that promises any of it.

We talk about it all the time. Generative AI slop, theft of animators time and work, the impossibility of being hired as companies push out want ads without ever having the intention of actually hiring them. Hell, Disney just a few weeks ago sent out to hundreds, if not thousands of applicants, that they just weren't doing any hiring. No one got hired, not one, out of everyone who applied; and they just closed it off saying "sorry, yeah, no one got hired. haha!" And call it potential industry nepotism, because there's a high chance if there was a hiring, it was inside the company. But this happens everywhere and with everything, and if there's not that failure, then there's always some clause in the fine print telling you that all your work now gets to be chugged into a soulless machine so that they can keep making money off your work after they've laid you off. It's like watching this whole thing crumble and you, a lowly college student who hasn't even learned how to use goddamn Maya without wanting to die, are paying witness to the already pipe dream you worked years toward just be... permanently disfigured.

And yeah, the Animation Guild is on strike; that's an extreme bout of hope. But where even does art come into any of this now? We don't have the same freedom and capability to create that we had before. People consume slop because they just want to consume something, anything, just to forget how fucking miserable everything is. And you're sitting here knowing just how much potential is missed, knowing that streaming services gut what could be incredible series and cartoons just for the sake of it; limit them to a handful of episodes and throw them to the gutter the moment they have to pay too many residuals. You know everything that you could create, no matter how incredible, could be reduced to absolute garbage and there would be nothing you can do about it; because the people who have the money, don't want to spend that money on a dream. Your life's dream and work could become reduced to a couple thousand view YouTube essay on mediocre writing and a lazy concept.

And I'm so tired of being aware of this. I can tell we all are because we all are just... throwing ourselves into this work. We've already had the comments; "you guys are one of the most respectful bunch we've had," or "i'm really excited about this cohort," or subtly telling us that we're almost too aware of where the industry is now and how little we really stand out. We're realistic.

It's harrowing. And it sucks.

I know there's way worse world issues going on right now and most of them tie into why art is on the decline as a whole. But part of me keeps this constant hope that, maybe, the student sitting behind me will get to make their story into a reality someday; or the student sitting beside me will be able to make a living doing what she loves. And maybe the environment will change the more I learn.

Everything is sink or swim and I really pray to god this current generation of animation students brings buoys.