#i'm an artist not an analyzer but i'll try <3'< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[spiderb00]

Painting love - Lara Raj

Lara Raj X Reader 

Synopsis - You and your girlfriend have a cute date where you two paint canvases. 

Genre – Fluff             Warnings – none  (Request)

Now playing - 1950, by King Princess 

"Are you close to ending?" Lara asked, her canvas still in hand, you could see that her brush smeared with blue paint.  

The day was beautiful, sunny, perfect to do anything. The wind was pleasant and the heat of Los Angeles was surprisingly good, warming your bodies, but not enough to make you very hot. Sitting on a towel, you and Lara painted small pictures, the perfect date.   

With Lara finally taking a break from her busy schedule, and you finally having a day off from your studio, you and your girlfriend have caught up to spend quality time together. As it was your turn to choose what you were going to do today, you decided on just a short walk, followed by a picnic with painting.   

You and Lara were artists, and even with your art coming from different areas, nothing stopped you two from falling in love with each other's talents. Lara constantly gave you singing lessons and production lessons, it was more like her dragging you home and making you listen to whatever she was producing at that moment. And you, whenever you could, encouraged the girl to paint, make sculptures and draw, trying to exercise her creativity in other areas.   

Lara loved each of your works, just as you loved each of hers. Before you started dating, you didn't pay much attention to human anatomy, your favorite things to paint would be landscapes, your favorite things to sculpt would be animals or some interestingly shaped object. But after meeting Lara, it was all about her. In your paintings, it started with a woman, in the distance, in the middle of the landscape, until time passed and all you could paint was Lara. In your sculptures, all you could do was the curves of Lara's body, which you knew as the back of your hand. And when it came to crafts, like bracelets and necklaces, everything you made, was like a gift for your girlfriend. 

Lara loved everything, and she wasn't much different from you. She began writing romantic songs, the melodies in her productions becoming increasingly sweet, light, and melancholic. It was as if the two of you had connected your arts and were walking in sync toward the same path.   

"Maybe, why? Are you finishing?" You asked, your eyes dividing attention between the painting and your girlfriend's beautiful face.   

"Actually, I'm done." Lara says, dropping the brush into one of the dirty containers you used to clean the brushes.   

"Alright, give me one more minute and I'll be done." You said, seeing your girlfriend's face try to peek at your painting.   

"No peeking, baby." You said, moving away slightly from Lara, hearing a giggle come from her lips.   

Your brush danced beautifully over the canvas, each of the details of Lara's face being represented perfectly in each stroke, you felt like you could explode with happiness and love. Having Lara as your muse was incredible, you felt that you could give her part of your love, represented in your art, and that made your heart beat faster in your chest.   

Lara, waiting for you to finish, seemed to analyze your every detail. How beautiful your hair looked when the wind hit slightly harder, how your button-down shirt seemed to fit perfectly on your body and how beautiful it looked by squeezing the muscles of your arms. Your furrowed brows let Lara know how dedicated and focused you were, and the girl swore she could look at you for the rest of her life.   

"Alright, are you ready?" You asked, dropping your brush, holding your painting with both hands. 

"Are you going to count to three?" Lara asked, looking at you with an accomplice look.   

“1, 2... 3!” You counted, coming up to three, making the two of you quickly turn the paintings to each other.  

Lara was surprised when she saw her face in the painting. But not as surprised as you when you saw yours.   

"Did you paint me?" You said, surprise evident in your voice.  

"You painted me too! Baby, this looks amazing." Lara said, you two exchanging paintings.   

As she watched your painting, you carefully held hers in your hands, looking at the painting lovingly, holding it so gently that it seemed as if you made the wrong move, it would dissolve. Lara's painting was a bit messy, but still very beautiful, you could see the effort that the Indian girl had put into her work. You were exactly as you were seconds ago, with the painting in your hand, furrowed brows and a beautiful landscape behind.   

"Lara, this is so beautiful." You said, looking at your girlfriend.  

"Well, I tried, it's not so bad." She replied, shrugging.  

"No, that's perfect. Thank you, baby." You said, moving close to your girlfriend, putting a hand on the back of her neck and pulling her in for a kiss.  

The love involved in every single thing you shared made everything around you look like a fairy tale. It was as if you lived alone in the world for a few hours, and you loved every second of it.   

"I love you, my little artist." You said, looking into Lara's eyes as she smiled happily at you.  

"I love you, my great artist." She said, making you laugh, the two of you exchanging passionate looks. 

they are SO cute, thanks to the anon who requested this! Sorry for take so long, but like I said, I always respond <3

[forgettable-au]

Omg! I absolutely love the idea of Papyrus being smarter than he looks! The plot is so interesting and I can't wait to analyse the intense lore that's gonna be in this! Papyrus is so cute and lovely and him and flowey are one of my favourite pairs. The art is so comfy and cute I'm so glad I found this!! Keep it up!!

Thank you so much<3

OF COURSE HE'S SMARTER THAN HE LOOKS

He builds so much stuff!! He's artistic!! He reads a lot!! Knows so much stuff about the underground!! I hate how people made him seem stupid in a lot of fanworks😭

He's very smart, just not in the typical ways!

There's definitely going to be stuff to analyze on this AU akahaishwk but I'll try to not make it confusing

[dontbelasagnax]

Ok fine! You’ve convinced me! I’ll learn how to draw specifically so I can draw codywan kissing, you’ve spread your gospel successfully

…

How do you draw tho fr cuz I can doodle like, funky lookin birds but people is fully out of my depth send help

AAAA HELL YEAHHHH!!!!! LET'S GOOOO!!!!!

You've opened a can of worms asking me for art advice so *cracks knuckles* buckle up.

I sort of (only a little bit) use the Loomis method for easy head drawing. Here is a playlist of YouTube videos by Proko. Highly, highly recommend that channel for your art tutorial needs!

I start with a circle. For side profiles, I draw a line down the side of the circle to determine where the features will sit upon. I draw a triangular shape to mark where the orbital socket is. Around the middle point of the circle is where the jawline ends and the ear begins so draw a line there. There are proportion rules which are good guidelines when starting out in art but since I've been doing this my entire life, I have a feel for things and just wing it. That's to say, I put in a line implying the jaw based on vibes.

Next, I draw the eyebrows and brow ridge. Then the nose. I find I majorly base my proportions on this area so if anything is off, it throws the rest of the face off.

Then I draw the lips and chin... or in Obi-Wan's case, his beard. I will mark in his sideburns and hairline as well. Now, about ears: generally the top of the ear begins right around the top of the eyebrow and stops at the base of the nose. At this point I like to draw his eye, define the cheekbone, and refine the eyebrow. I'll finish scribbling in hair and that's it!

(Cody is much the same but I forgot to take useful progress pics 😂)

Extended Art Advice 👇

Tip #1: Draw lightly. Do not ever grip your pencil tight. This only leads to pain. You will notice I didn't erase at all. This is partly because I know what marks to make because I've done it a million times before and also because my lines are soft enough I can make lots of them and choose to deepen the ones that work.

Tip #2: Practice, practice, practice. Artistic skill is just loads and loads of accumulated knowledge and muscle memory from practice. This sounds boring but, in reality, you should make it fun.

Tip #3: Draw from observation/USE REFERENCE! The only reason I can get away without using reference when I'm feeling lazy is because I've drawn the same things over and over enough times it stuck. Aka I did lots of practice.

Now, to combine all these tips together, let's talk about how to use reference and how to make practice fun.

Reference is a huge aid when drawing at any point in your art journey. But I've found that in order to learn from what you're looking at, you need to think critically.

You obviously have something you want to draw. Reference helps you with that. You'll start out trying to draw what you see. Eventually you will run into an obstacle where you've messed up and things aren't looking good. This is to be expected. Every time this happens, think about what isn't working and find solutions with your reference. Analyze your subject to find your answers. Draw it again. Do not be afraid of failure. Each time you fail, you must look for a solution and this will lead you closer to your goal. This is how you grow as an artist.

I know, it sounds dreadfully boring and like a shit ton of work. It is a lot of work but you can make it fun! You love Obi-Wan and Cody so make Pinterest boards of Ewan McGregor and Temuera Morrison. Whatever you want to practice (may that be eyes, mouths, hands, hair, the face as a whole, etc) draw them. Ever hear tracing is bad? Fuck that. It's a perfectly valid tool to help you learn. If you're drawing digitally, pull up your reference in the art program of your choice, lower the opacity a little, make a new layer and trace what you see. I honestly find tracing to be very hard so when I've done this, I prefer to try to find shapes that will aid me when I'm actually drawing. If you're drawing traditionally, you can print out the photo and trace over it with a tracing paper or use a lightbox. You can also up the brightness on your computer screen and tape a piece of paper and trace that way.

Photos aren't the only references you can use! You can always look to your favorite artists' work and try to figure out how they do it. Often artists will break things down into more easily digestible shapes that will help you better understand how things work. Remember, if you ever copy or trace someone's art, it is for learning purposes only and you shouldn't post it. Feel free to take elements of people's art that you like and put your own spin on it though. For instance: I really love how this one artist draws men's tits so I studied a bunch of their art and now I'm much better at drawing them.

Oh and did you think you only get practice in while studying? Wrong! There's no reason you should shy away from trying to make the art you really want just because your skills aren't the most refined. Spoiler alert: you will grow the most when you push yourself out of your comfort zone. Draw codywan kissing. Draw it really enthusiastically and through profuse swearing and gritted teeth... but never a clenched hand. Don't hold back from the fun stuff just because it's hard. Aim high, land low, and shoot even higher next time.

In the beginning it will be especially frustrating. You'll feel like everything you make is a failure and nothing works out. You'll feel like you're not making any progress. Trust me, you are making progress and I believe in you.

If something really isn't working out and you find yourself growing distressed, take a break. It might last an hour or a week. Just take the break. Don't push it. Come back with fresh eyes and less stress. We all have days where nothing comes out right. Sometimes I can't even draw anything resembling a human face. It's okay. Whisper-yell expletives at your artwork and take the break. It will be okay.

With all that said, happy drawing and even happier codywan kissing!! 🧡💋🩵

[tadc-harlequin-au]

What artists have inspired you? I love your style and want to implement this on my own!

A lot! These are going to be in order, so it's not hard to discern which art belongs to whom. There's a lot of rambling below the cut, so warning for long ass post. Also, they're all on twitter.

Thanshuhai, Papyuuno, Terry Grimm, _Kunaru and TFiddlerart for the way they render characters and general (stylized) anatomy,

Then Neytirix, Kuroblood, Nomax and Alcxome for the cinematic illustration-esque shots,

Rinotuna and just.... Arknights Elite illustrations in general for their creative character and outfit designs

And during my time as a fnaf artist on twitter before I left it (I think a year ago at this point)? Snartles, Soul.82, AlpinePing and Ewademar were TOP of my list.

A bit of a ramble starting from this point, but....

I have studied these specific pieces DOWN TO THE VERY DETAILS OF THE BRUSHSTROKES, in order to learn HOW they do their art. This includes mimicking their artstyles for a while, and once I'm comfortable and have added it to my vast visual vocabulary, I switch back to my actual artstyle in order to apply it to the way I draw.

The results are these womp womps I shit out in half a day so in case it wasn't obvious, I don't really see myself as a good artist because I have such high as fuck, unrealistic expectations for myself but. I do try to keep it in check... mostly.

But something I'll confidently say? I'm always learning. All the time. All the pieces I see everywhere, I am constantly analyzing the way artists draw from the way they do clothing, to the shape language used in designs, actively or subconsciously. Sometimes I'll ask how the rendering is achieved or what brushes have been used if I can reach the artists, and see if it works for me or not.

I carry art with such a passion, in such high regard, and dare I say I do it so aggressively and passionately behind the scenes. I'm not talented like people think, I'm just always wanting to learn, and improve, and learn another thing again once the previous lesson has been learned. And this has been my journey for the last 4 years I've been doing digital art, and another 3 years being a traditional one prior to my switch to digital, so.

I'm not a skilled artist like my art inspirations, but I am an artist nonetheless. And you know what...? I think I'm fine with being just that.

[emytellsrandomstories]

This is not an update to the Comic, but it still has something to do with it !!!

(call it a little gift for the Wish Rewrite and KoW fandom)

Hello my little stars! How are you?

I mentioned in the last post in the series that I would be traveling for a week or two and that's why I wouldn't be working. Well I'm still traveling Lmao.

It's been a lot of fun, I'm visiting my Prince Charming and family, both of whom I haven't been to in a long time. Still, I couldn't stop thinking about KoW and Wish's Concept Arts. Disney sealed the fate of its fan artists by discarding so much good material, now they are embedded in our minds and we will not be able to rest until we see them realized. This is crazy but it's beautiful to see how much these discarded concepts generated creative potential in the fandom.

Because of all this I couldn't help but make some small sketches! And well, I came to show them here. They are not sketches of Comic panels, but they have something to do with it and I will show the photos and explain how.

This first one, very faded, are Magnificent and Amable's clothes (designed by @uva124, for the characters in @annymation's rewrite of Wish "The Kingdom of Wishes"). The drawings that Aled did are very complex, I don't judge her for that, in fact I thank her, she gave beautiful clothes to the centuries-old Disney villains and they are perfect. I really wish I could draw them with all the details, but I will do everything by hand, alone and seeking a minimally professional quality (I want to be a comic artist/book illustrator one day. This comic is my first step Lmao, and I want to do something that conveys the best I can give at the moment), so I need to make some things easier for myself. The costumes are one of those things.

" Better something simple and well done than complex and poorly done." — This is my motto for this Comic and for my life.

The next sketches are related to aesthetics. I've been watching a lot of "Analyzing the Art" videos of some Disney films and I was inspired to adopt some "Disney Style" features in my arts for this comic (not everything obviously, because I don't want to be sued by Disney lmao).

What you'll see next is me trying to mix this influence with my own style in some KoW character sketches.

(this last art specifically references a meme in which @rascalentertainments tagged me, Thanks for that, by the way! <3 )

(credits to the artist, I don't know who it is because I was just tagged in this meme and I was busy So I didn't look for more information, but I'll leave the post link and you can check the official credits)

Speaking of aesthetics. Anny received Chiara's aesthetic from someone — the north star, "daughter of Aster", created by his magic at the very end of Anny's fanfic. This Aesthetic inspired me to create an aesthetic for Asha and Aster too and these were the results:

What's your favorite?

Lmao, It took a lot of work to make Aster's. There are almost no things for "starboys" on Pinterest.

I'm leaving this up to you to share as you wish, consider it a gift to the fandom!

Lastly, I want to say that the artistic analysis videos They also inspired me to put together a moodboard for KoW and I'll be leaving it here. Not even Anny and Aled know about this and I can't wait to see their reactions! I wish I could print this painting and leave it on the wall, but unfortunately I don't have a printer T-T.

This moodboard is helping me with the artistic direction of colors, style and is a visual motivation to stay active at work.

I hope you like it too!

That's it for today, it's already midnight in Brazil and I should be sleeping instead of posting crazy things on the internet. I'm going to tag my friends and go to sleep, Lmao.

Kisses full of light and stars!

~ Emy

@wings-of-sapphire @flicklikesstuff @frogcoven88 @chillwildwave @gracebethartacc @gracebethartacc @kstarsarts @oh-shtars Come and get your therapies after the anguish caused by certain publications by Anny!

[velvet-cupcake-games]

Hey there I just wanted to check, with another writing delay does that mean to release is postponed/delayed again? I noticed you didn't actually mention that this could be a factor that would delay the game, but so far it seems to be the biggest factor delaying its release. I'm not sure why you haven't mentioning that when you speak about delays and have been focusing on the art as the thing delaying the release. But it's clear from your weekly updates that the writing for the first route is still not done.

I'm a backer of the KS and it's clear from previous questions you've answered here that I'm not the only one concerned about the lack of writing progress being made for Made Marion. But my biggest concern is your lack of acknowledgment that that is the biggest delaying factor at this point. I really didn't want to write this message, but it's been almost 2 and half years since the KS and I think your backers and pre-order buyers deserve some clarity around the actual delivery time of this game.

Hiya! Nope, there is no further delay to Robin's route due to writing at this point. (Bolded for TL:DR, the rest is ramblings.) Robin's route is still on schedule to release in early November. I'm being more granular with my exact writing progress in our Tuesday updates precisely so that I can provide the transparency that was requested. So you'll hear about my good weeks and my bad weeks, but please don't worry too much if I have a bad one.

The project's writing and coding are the things I can personally control. I had a rough week last week and ending 4a isn't quite done yet, but it's close enough that I know I can still deliver on time. I have re-chunked out my time so that I will complete ending 4a in smaller writing chunks alongside coding Chapter 3, which is actually how I do my most productive work.

When I didn't include writing as a possible delay factor for Robin's early November release, it wasn't because I'm not acknowledging that writing has been a major delay factor (I dedicated an entire KS update to that this summer). It's because I was personally pledging that my chunk of the project will be done in time for the November release.

For the project overall, the writing and art completion are about equal in terms of delay factors right now. I am still waiting on the full completion of three vital sprites needed for Robin's route and several character sprites that have smaller parts in Robin's route but are important on later routes still need to be done. Our cut-in art is behind schedule as well. Once the sprite art is fully finished and our lead artist only has to worry about CGs (and doing the KS wallpapers), the writing will indeed be the biggest factor in terms of when things come out (cut-ins are more flexible since only a few are vital). But right now, all of us except the fabulous Sandra (background artist) are in the same boat.

The year I lost to long Covid brain fog aside, I will say I regret setting what I now realize was a far too optimistic completion time for the project. I didn't know what I didn't know and didn't have access to a lot of knowledge about how long these projects take.

Now that I have a lot more data points to analyze, I realize that assuming it happens close to the start of development, 4-5 years post-Kickstarter is much more realistic for games of this scope. Because I underestimated so severely and because of my lost year, I'm trying to deliver as much as I can as quickly as possible, which is why I'm putting things out route by route with Early Access.

In the future, I'll be doing things very differently. After Made Marion and its DLC is completed, I'll be taking a good long time to finish most of the writing for my next game before I worry about commissioning art or doing any crowdfunding, if I decide to do crowdfunding. I'll have the cushion to do that after having put out our first game.

In the meantime, what I can pledge is that Made Marion is our top priority; I'm not doing jams or smaller games in the meantime, I'm just making this game.

This will probably be the last ask like this that I answer for a while, as it does ratchet up my anxiety. I will continue to report our progress on a weekly basis in preparation for our November Robin launch!

Edit: For clarity on underestimating completion time.

[genericpuff]

Same anon as before talking about writing stuff and worrying about if people will find it (but not the same anon as the other asks before that) - I think many people who are budding writers and artists have these concerns and bring them to you because you A). Are a creator yourself so you know what you're talking about in a verified sense and B). Idk about other anons but some of us (like me) take your reasoning (and critique) in regard to writing seriously because of your experience and how you analyze stuff such as LO.

I think at least some of us (again I can't speak for everyone nor can I or should I) wants to make sure they're not making mistakes such as the ones RS does in writing.

Also I might just take you up on your offer of Zelda fanfic - I do so love LoZ 😅.

ugh god, am I y'all's role model now or smthing? why would you do that to yourself (ㆆ_ㆆ)

okay but jokes aside, obviously people can't help who they look up to and I'm not gonna be a dick if y'all look up to my work and what I do here, just remember also that you're not obligated to agree with everything I say or take it to heart, you also shouldn't take my analysis of LO and how it's written/drawn personally because so much of that analysis is within the VERY specific definitions in which LO exists, definitions that don't really apply to many other webtoons on the platform. If there's anything I say or criticize LO for that speaks to you and your own work on a certain level, try not to take it as a direct personal attack towards you and more just like... if the things I'm saying about LO feel like they apply to your work, take it as advice for improving your own craft.

Or don't! You can literally ignore me and do what you were gonna do anyways. I literally cannot take that away from you and you absolutely shouldn't let me. I have no real power over anyone here, that's what I mean when I say I'm just a guy participating in their hyperfixation so don't feel like you gotta take me too seriously lmao

Also, yeah, okay, I'm a webcomic creator myself, but to put myself on the cross for once - I've never succeeded at this gig. Rekindled is the most consistent audience I've had in years, I think the last time my work was in a banner rotation was in 2015 (and it wasn't on WT), and I somehow make something like $20/month off Patreon. I've had small victories along the way, it hasn't been all bad, but this isn't my living and chances are low I'll ever find mass success with it. Everything I said about not taking my opinion too seriously because I'm just a random Internet guy applies to people like Rachel as well, while I criticize her work on the basis of it being a commercial product that should know better and I DEFINITELY harp on her for a lot of shit, at the end of the day she's in no way obligated to pay even a second of attention to me because she's made way more money in webcomics in the last 2-3 years than I could ever dream of making in the 10 years I've been doing this, that's something I can't take away from her and that was never the goal when it came to discussing her work. All I have to show for my own efforts is experience and rhetoric, and a few odd readers who have been around so long I wonder why they even still follow me LOL I am your typical "can never live up to the success of those who they criticize" chronically online shitposter. I don't think I should have to be on Rachel's level to be able to discuss her work, mind you, that's half the function of an audience to begin with, but it's not like I have any real legitimacy in this industry that you should worry about what I have to say. It's not like I'm capable of robbing Rachel of her awards or the money she's made lol

And by all means, go ahead and look for my fanfiction stuff, but I'm not providing any eye bleach because I wrote it when I was like, 13 years old, so search at your own risk lmao

(and if you do find it, no you didn't （︶^︶）/hj)

[revenantghost]

[20 Question Fic Writer Game]

Tagged by @faindri and @pancake-breakfast!

How many works do you have on AO3?

18! Most are poetry collections, so a lot of smaller stories in one anthology.

What is your AO3 word count?

75,144

What fandoms do you write for?

Trigun is my main squeeze atm (and biggest in general, I have four projects for it which is double anything else--and the highest wordcount, too), but I've written for KinnPorsche, Sabikui Bisco, Danny Phantom, Vampire In The Garden, Sasaki to Miyano, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Goncharov (yeah... yeah), The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window, Signalis, Omori, Lycoris Recoil, and The Executioner and Her Way of Life

What are your top five fics by kudos?

No idea and I ain't looking! Trad publishing has me extremely scarred from some nasty comparison wars, so I have kudo and view counts blocked on ALL fics, including mine. From my kudos emails, though, Hallowboned has to be my top fic for sure. Last time I was paying attention most of my other fics didn't pass into triple digits by a long shot

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do!!! I adore comments, and I love chatting with folks, it really keeps me motivated and chugging along. I am... very behind on replying to the comments on my last chapter rn because I feel so awful and guilty about having to quit writing

What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Uh... I don't write a ton of narrative fics, and I do love me some tragic poetry, but I guess the angstiest collection might be my Signalis one, Observable System Transcendence? But my Omori poem and the Trined Soul collection might be contenders, too

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I mean, Trembling Hands is a Trimax fix-it fic, so? Though the Sasaki and Miyano collection, Effortless Dreams, is definitely the most tooth-rotting fluff I've ever slapped onto the page

Do you get hate on fics?

Oh yeah, I've had my poetry called pretentious and also not good enough to be poetry lol. It's been a hot minute since that's happened, people are just jerks sometimes

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I used to! Porn with plot, my beloved. It would be interesting to explore in poetry format, but we'll see if I have the time who wants to commission some poetry porn from me lmao

Do you write crossovers?

Nah, not my cuppa

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Yeah, many moons ago

Have you ever had a fic translated?

No, but that is one of the coolest things fandom does. Loving a thing so much you spend the time to painstakingly transform that art into something you can read and share in another language, bro??? Translators are amazing

Have you ever cowritten a fic before?

I've worked pretty closely with artists a loooong time ago, but I've only written fics where I'm the sole writer. I have used other writers' ideas and outlines (with their permission, of course), but that's the closest

What's your all-time favourite ship?

I DON'T KNOW?!?! Shipping has never really been my main focus of media typically, but when one digs its teeth into me I go rabid in a completely feral but different way each time.

What's a WIP you'd like to finish but doubt you ever will?

))): All of them

Life feels kinda... really dire atm, it's hard to see ever writing again. However! God I want to finish Hallowboned SO BADLY!!! I have so many chapters written for it that I haven't even posted!!!!! Y'all haven't met Livio yet!!!!!! GAH 3:

What are your writing strengths?

Uh... ??? I'll be real, I've got no idea. I feel like I write so weirdly atm, it's hard for me to analyze in that kinda way

What are your writing weaknesses?

I tend to get really excited/into things and flit around and forget to explain or describe things sometimes. Thank god for having been well-trained to edit my own work. Not that I catch it all, but I try!!!

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I think it'd really cool, but I'd need a native speaker on hand to make sure I don't fuck it up in my own fic

First fandom you wrote for?

I think my first piece of written fanwork was a Danny Phantom Quizilla thing lmao, I'm old. I don't remember what it was about, just that it was ANGSTY

Favourite fic you've ever written?

Ah?!?! Honestly, each project is so different and written from such a different place, I've got no idea. I'm proudest of Observable System Transcendence being my longest, most consistent project (outside of my Smaugust collection, which isn't a fan project), Hallowboned being the first thing that really inspired me in ages--and the most indulgent one lol. But each collection and fic and poem comes from such a different place, and it's hard to pull them apart and pick???

Tagging:

Whoever wants to hop in! :3

[shinjurogaiden]

Masterlist - Shinjuro Gaiden

Welcome to "Shinjuro Gaiden", a Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba prequel comic focusing on Shinjuro's life. On this post you'll find tags/warnings, index, FAQ and other info. Please feel free to send asks about anything!

Tags/warnings: Mostly canon compliant. Canon like gore and violence. No canon character death. No smut. Very slight romance at one point, except for canon established romance in the epilogue. Very much tragedy and sadness tho. If you don't cry at least once I have failed. For teens and up. Will have an extra warnings for implied SA for one scene, but I'll make sure it gets proper warnings and tags when we get there.

Index

Chapter 1 - Intro

Pages: 1-9, 10-13

Chapter 2 - Yasuyama

Coming soon

Chapter 3 - Miko

Coming soon

Chapter 4 - Anjuro

Coming soon

Chapter 5 - Sei

Coming soon

Epilogue - Shinjuro

Coming soon

FAQ

What up with the name?

It's called "Shinjuro Gaiden" because I couldn't come up with any better lol. I think it's quite on point tho.

How did this comic come to be?

I was planning to make another KnY comic that was shoehorned in between the gang leaving Butterfly mansion and the Mugen Train. It included some OC's tho and I got questions about them that couldn't really be answered without telling the background they have with Shinjuro (and the Rengoku family in general) so things spiraled and here we are.

What is it about?

It's about Shinjuro Rengoku and what happened with his family when growing up (trying to answer the question about "Why aren't there any more Rengoku relatives around in KnY?") We will follow his point of view, from being a little kid to growing up to be the Flame Hashira and how it was living in his family.

When will it update?

Whenever I have time. I'm struggling with health and sometimes motivation loss, as well as having a fulltime job and a family to take care of. So I don't dare to set deadline, but I'll work on it when I can. I'm planning to post complete scenes rather than one page at a time, so the update might be slower but there will also be more story with each update.

How long will it be?

If I counted correctly from the script it should be about 230-240 pages long (this is gonna take me years lol)

Why is the style/things inconsistent? Why is this plothole here? Why was this left so vague?

Yeah it'll be like that lol. I'm a very noob comic artist and I struggle with keeping a consistent style, especially as I get more practice and development. This is nothing professional, I'm just doing this for fun and to get some practice, and to get the story out. I'm also a sucker for analyzing stories and characters, as well as metaphors, symbolism and whatnot, so some things are deliberately left quite vague for people like me who like to figure out some background stuff by themselves lol (feel free to ask me for clarification about it however). Somethings seem to be established and then dropped, and that's because it's something that probably would come up in the "original fancomic" I've had in plans, that takes place later.

Who's making this?

It's me! @artbyerry A very noob and nerdy comic artist.

Feel free to send me messages or asks either here or on my main blog for whatever is on your mind :) I love to discuss my stories and anything in the fandoms I'm in with people!

[mom0ny]

tense dinner

Halina finds herself in front of a rather gloomy mansion, reminiscent of the haunted houses in her horror books. When forced to enter, she looked and analyzed everything in that place, family paintings, artistic paintings and extremely nauseating photos.

Olivia: It's a really beautiful place when we're not outside.

Halina: yes, it's very beautiful.

Guy pushes Halina: walk and stop talking.

Halina was irritated, but when she looked at Olivia she calmed down, she needed to execute the plan perfectly. The two entered a very chic dining room, a table full of food and a lit fireplace.

Boss: how rude, gentlemen, why did you chain these ladies up?

Guy 2: but sir.

Boss: Please release them.

Halina became suspicious. Being released did not mean freedom, any suspicious movement she made would lead to her death.

Boss: welcome, ladies.

Halina was prepared to give an answer when Olivia buried her.

Olivia: I see you like the color pink.

Halina looked surprised, she somehow noticed that the walls were salmon colored, but she didn't care.

Boss: what?!.. eeh it's not pink.

Olivia: It looks pink to me.

Boss: but it's not pink, it's salmon.

Olivia: I'm not blind, I see pink everywhere in this room.

boss: it's not pink! Do you think it's pink?

guy 1: i'll be honest... i hate pink.

Guy 2: me too.

guy 3: i see pink too.

Guy 4: yeah, pink.

Halina: are you blind? Salmon has a more orange tone of color than regular pink.

Olivia: I see the color pink more than orange.

Boss: but it's not pink!

Olivia: I see pink.

boss: oh my god, it's salmon- SIT DOWN FOR DINNER!

Halina and Olivia sat down quickly as a reflex to scream, but Olivia still wasn't convinced.

Olivia: it's still pink.

The boss gives an irritated sigh and sits at the table very angry, he didn't know whether to discuss important matters or whether to try to convince Olivia that he was salmon colored.

Chef:... feel free, the food is all yours.

Halina: I'm not hungry.

lie, Halina was very hungry, but she couldn't risk swallowing an unwanted seasoning present in the food... perhaps poison. The boss ate and savored while looking at them.

Olivia: so why are we still alive?

Boss:...I've never seen you in this area, and I don't know if you are a certain danger to business.

Olivia: what do you mean?

Boss: I want to say that maybe if I like you, you could get out alive *drinks wine*

Halina: were you the one who ordered the man to kill us in our village?

boss:... maybe yes, maybe no... do you think you deserved to die?

Olivia: you're making a lot of jokes, get straight to the point.

the chef eats his meal calmly, it doesn't even seem like two lives could die at any moment.

Boss: what do you want in this part of the city?

Halina: I don't think it's very important... or it's none of your business.

Boss: Maybe I can help depending on the occasion.

Olivia: did you... have a threesome?

The boss stops eating and looks at Olivia for a while: it depends.... are you looking for a threesome?

Halina looked at the cutlery on the table, anything would be a good option to take the fancy knife: they are from our group... 2 men and 1 woman.

Boss: hm... (clatter of cutlery) be more specific.

Halina: good...

Before Halina can complete it, she sees one of the men approaching holding a bag. By reflex, she ends up taking one of the cutlery and putting it in his hand, making him let go of the bag.

Olivia: A FORK!

Halina looks and realizes that instead of taking the knife, she took a fork.

(to be continued)

@wpk12art

[usamamoweek]

Meet the Creators - Kaito Scarlett

What username(s) and platform(s) can folx find you on? (Please include links!)

Kaito Scarlett on FFnet, Ao3 and Tumblr (@kaitoscarlett) :)

(Fun Fact) What is your favorite kind of potato?

Tough question! I can't live without potatoes <3 Hm...I'd say the usual ones as fries or chips. Preferably spicy and crispy. I could write an essay, but I'll just leave it like that.

How long have you been creating works in fandom spaces? How long have you been active in the SM fandom?

Hm... When I was younger I drew pictures of my favorite characters, but just for myself. Does that count? But I posted my first (still unfinished) Sailor Moon fic in July 2021. It's actually the first fan fiction I have ever written and I never thought I would write one myself. But here I am :)

What type(s) of creative works do you usually make? (fanfics, digital art, cosplay)

Fanfics, but I do occasionally draw.

What do you enjoy about creating for the SM fandom?

Another tough question! Maybe because I still love the characters and while I re-read and re-watched the manga and anime as a grown-up, I kind of felt a connection to especially Usagi, that was very different from when I was a kid. And Sailor Moon will always a have a special place in my heart. It's so cool to see so many other creators who feel the same and get inspired to create wonderful stories and art.

Are you strictly UsaMamo or do you create for other pairings as well?

For now, yes I am. And I don't think it's going to change. I'm a sucker for their relationship (:

What inspires you to create works for Usagi and Mamoru?

It all started, because I dove back into fan fiction after rewatching the anime and I just couldn't get enough. So I scrolled through fan fiction and became a little bit obsessed with so many great stories. Especially the ones in which the characters are grown-up. I've often thought about writing myself, but starting to write is kind of hard. I get inspired when I read other stories or an idea suddenly enters my mind.

But lately life has been quite stressful and I lost my writing groove. We'll see when I get it back.

Do you tend to work on multiple projects (WIPs) simultaneously or try to finish one at a time?

Since I have three unfinished fics at the moment, I'd say I work on multiple projects simultaneously. But I try to concentrate on one at a time. That's why I haven't updated my first fic for over a year.

Do you prefer large projects (chaptered fics, webtoons/zines, highly detailed art) or small projects (one-shots or simple art)?

Hm...I do like to read multi-chapter fics or a long one-shot. I enjoy the excitement of waiting for a new chapter. As for writing myself. I haven't written a one-shot, yet. So I'd say I prefer larger projects. That way I can write a shorter chapter and publish it instead of writing one long story, that I would probably never see the light of day, because I'm a lazy writer.

Are there any common themes, situations, tropes, or mediums in your work?

Maybe a bit of angst? Self-worth is a big topic, I would say. Struggles with adulthood? But I havent't analyzed my fics enough to say there are common themes. Though I'd say the start situation of our beloved couple in my fics is mostly the same/ very similar.

Is there anything you haven’t explored artistically and would like to try?

I want to draw more. And write a fake-dating-trope-story. Nothing else comes to my mind right now :)

[vodid]

MORE QUESTIONSSSS

Sooo, first one is, what advice do you have for aspiring writers and artists that follow you? Follow your passion, practice a lot, don’t get distracted, etc?

What’s the best part about being an author and a writer? The satisfaction when you finally finish a piece, or when a lot of people like and share your artwork and book?

Do you read any fanfictions? I’m wondering because I’ve almost ran out of good Prowl/Jazz fanfictions and I want more to cure my need for cuteness and angst with those two 🤲

Do you listen to music when you write/draw? If so, what kind of music, or does it depend on the scene when your writing/drawing. It definitely depends on what I’m writing at the moment to determine the music lmao

Will you ever make your Obsidian King fanfiction into a little series? Like after you’re done the first one with Prowl and Jazz whenever, will you plan on doing one with like Bluestreak and a love interest and how that would all play out? Or is the Obsidian King just a standalone?

Have you ever cried when you were writing your books? The Obsidian King, Vulnerability or otherwise? I cried during Vulnerability :( poor Bumblebee man and I relate to it so much too! Like, I absolutely love your writing in both because it feels as if I’m actually there, y’know?

Do you plan on continuing to learn German despite when you finish your Vulnerability fanfiction one day and only need a bit of German for it? I find it cool to learn German! I’m learning French at the moment, but I’m thinking about learning German after.

ANYWAYS, too many questions, I have more though. I was planning to send this before you woke up at some point, but then I had to go to a doctors appointment and I ran out of data unfortunately. Can’t wait to hear your answers if you respond to this!

hello anon <3

advice for aspiring artists/writers? you hit the nail on the head lol gonna preach the three P's i told myself and others years ago: practice, patience and passion. when you're a growing artist (which you always will be) you need to have patience with yourself as you navigate through the mistakes and learning curves as you practice. the passion keeps you motivated. if you don't have that passion and patience, you might have a hard time with the practice and growth

best part of being a writer? short answer: i love getting comments that analyze my work. long answer: i have been trying my best to focus less on the end product and its reception when it comes to writing, much like my art. this can even lead back to the first question: i personally believe you should not focus most on those things, but the process more. the things you learned, the steps you took, the parts that felt therapeutic for you. that's what should be the best part. (but ofc, i do love the comments i get on my writing and it certainly makes it feel even more worth it. analyses on my writing? THE best.)

j/p fanfic recs most of my favorites come from beloved rizobact. winner takes all and crystal ghosts are my favs from her. it's been a long time since i read this one, but domino milkshake was a fun one as far as i remember. if you've already exhausted those, the j/p zine just published some fics ',:)

do you listen to music when you draw/write? lot of times, i focus best with no music or a single song on repeat. tho i don't like the silence as much, it's quite boring. i like to have something so i'll either listen to music or put on a youtube video, usually mark or jack, sometimes reaction videos from other youtubers. i don't usually switch up what i'm listening to based on what i'm writing bc most times, it's the music that determines the art but it's not the biggest influence. i tend to listen to whatever my neurodivergent brain decided to attach to that week ...or month. rn, i'm still working through exhausting a german playlist and "rising kingdom" (yes, the minecraft song lol)

will obsidian king be a series? this is the plan as i realize i may not be able to juggle the various stories all in one fic (i'm sure i could but the way i had started the obsidian king wasn't the right setup for it) the next one i want to tackle after j/p is megoplita's story. from when they all first fell in love to the beginning of the autobot-decepticon war. bluestreak and the twins may not get their own story for a long while, if at all, since i do not have anything figured out post-war.

have you ever cried while writing a fic? not any of my current ones, no. but i have cried writing you are my flower iirc and infinity (i took prowl's death HARD, man.) vulnerability does hit home with me since it's just pure projection with bumblebee, a lot of it was actual sensations and thoughts i've experienced, but it was more therapeutic than upsetting for me. take care of urself anon <:)!

do you plan to continue learning german after you finish vulnerability? hell yeah, i hope to! i don't have a solid end goal going into this, because i highly doubt i will reach any sort of fluency, but it will always be a fun and interesting thing to learn. if i did have to give myself a goal, it would be to write a fic in german to test my knowledge! but for now, it's mostly just keeping my brain busy and engaged with something new

u can always drop more questions if u want <3

[urban-hart]

Perspective hopping can be v useful. I like third-person limited, I think it's called (note: writer sister confirmed, am right :3 vindication).

i like leaving visual cues rather than stating outright a thought or sentiment if I can-- which is why the anime style of storytelling does not vibe (cannot stand anime, i gnash my teeth at it).

i don't know what my point is here. it wasn't to trash on anime-- which I recognize has much artistic value, it's just not for me.

oh, perspectives. that's the advantage of writing, I guess. You can delve into things such as character thoughts too, acknowledge the poetry of certain themes within the text/narrative. *thumbsup* words do good.

But! Sometimes I'll have to describe a thing, and I always go, "BUt wHy! When I could! Just draw it for u!!"

I don't know, I need to just. try stuff for the enjoyment of it. hence the vague plan for mixed media experience. in which I also want sound effects and music and things, but that's. Gosh, maybe this is why I don't start anything, I'm easily frightened by the scale of certain visions. But why am I? Shall I now psycho analyze myself as a form of procrastination from actually doing the things?

[ninelivesart]

About Me (Kind of)

Doing this Drawing My Reads challenge this last year, made me realize there's a lot people don't know about me. You don't have to know anything about me, of course. But since I've had an uptick in followers, I thought I'd share a few things anyway. For context.

I'm a librarian! Technically a Library Clerk because I don't have my Master's. But this last year I got promoted to Programming Clerk. And I specifically run my library's Makerspace. Which means I get to play with cool, creative machines all day. This also means that I sometimes get to just vibe to audiobooks and draw stupid stuff (it's ideal). My primary focus at the moment is our laser printer. So I will 1000% be adding those creations into my rotation soon. Expect to see some SVG files and wooden bookmarks and things on my Etsy shop soon.

2. That being said, it's important to note that I hardly ever pay for books. I have access to a full library 40 hours a week. So please don't think I'm out here spending hundreds of dollars on these books. I very rarely pay for them.

3. My education is in books. I have a degree in English and Literature. I minored in Journalism. I didn't get to go to art school because there just weren't a lot of options for me back then. So I am a self-taught artist. And I'm lucky to have found a job that combines both of my passions.

4. I am a fully adult woman. I read a lot of very adult books. I'm closer to 40 than 20 and I have a teenage son. Please keep that in mind when interacting with me.

5. My reading tastes can sometimes seem contradictory. I love romances but I tend to stick to fantasy and scifi. I don't do contemporaries very often. And I don't read classics because chances are, I've already read it, analyzed it, wrote an essay on it, and read it again. I did my time and now I'm in debt for classic literature. I'm just trying to have fun. So sometimes I might diss a popular book and be very critical about it. And then turn around and wax poetic about alien smut. I don't expect much from the alien smut. I do expect more from serious books.

6. I pick my reads with a randomizer! This is why I sometimes take a long time getting to a sequel. I have made exceptions for a series I wanted to continue right away. And sometimes I roll again if I'm not in the mood for the book I got. I'm going to try to be a little stricter on this in 2024 though. With the exception of the audio books I listen to at work. I always search Libby for what's available now so I'm not wasting my work time, searching every book on my TBR to see if it's in.

7. You are more than welcome to send me suggestions! I'll probably just stick them on my TBR so I can't guarantee I'll read it quickly. But if you think I'll like it, feel free to recommend it. I'm also happy to talk books with you if you need someone to vent to about a book you know I've read.

8. You are also welcome to add me on Storygraph (beautawn) or TikTok (NineLivesArt). I'm stepping away from Goodreads, so you probably won't see a lot of updates on there. But I post drawing videos on TikTok and I update my Storygraph pretty regularly.

9. However, I don't do reviews! Why? They make me uncomfy! Sometimes I really need to marinate with a book before I decide if I like it or not. Rating systems make me anxious. And my mood alters my decisions. I also don't like being mean. I'm fine talking about my feelings with other readers, but I don't like leaving reviews. Especially if I plan to make art for it. Don't want to draw a lovely portrait and then bash the book.

10. I do plan to continue this project into the new year. But I am planning on doing it a little different. I have some other (non book related) projects I want to work on, and I want to push myself to focus more on the things I need to improve. I really want to focus on environments this year, so I'll be drawing scenes from the book instead. Which means I may not draw a book even if I loved it.

Thank you for following my reading/art journey! I didn't expect this silly little project to have such a positive response. I love when people talk books with me and I actually made friends with a few authors this year! So overall, it's been a very positive experience and I'm ready to jump into the New Year and see what it brings!

[elllteo]

I want to add onto this now that I'm actually awake and not barely running on 3 hours of sleep;

Survivors of SA or any other type of trauma are not monoliths. We each can have wildly different needs or ways we process or break down or engage with the traumas we have endured.

Similar to how one persons disability needs or accommodations can at times be incompatible with another's, Trauma and Recovery can also at times be at odds with another victims needs. Therapy isn't one size fits all, after all, and that rule can and does apply here.

I believe that people can engage with media in whatever way they need - if that is through escapism, or analysis, or venting through art etc. People should be free to engage with these topics in a way that allows them to better understand what has happened to them or the subject in general.

This can be done in healthy or unhealthy ways, yes, but it isn't up to me (or you!) to police/enforce rules around a strangers media consumption/coping.

The conversations surrounding Media, Trauma, Fiction and Fandom are farrrr farrrrr too nuanced for me to break down here. There is no absolute black/white to be found, and trying to boil it down that way doesn't do justice to the topics at hand, or the victims thereof.

Someone should not have to disclose their personal and intimate traumas to justify the reasons they draw or engage with a character one way vs another.

Sometimes it simply isn't our business to have answers like that. Sometimes we need to recognize this is not a person we need to be exposing ourselves to.

The modern internet is a very, very public space.

If you recognize a dissonance or discomfort surrounding a topic or media you enjoy, it is genuinely in your best interest to simply avoid that person or group of people. Re-exposing yourself to triggering content to try and change the way other people behave is a form of self-harm in its own right, and is one I myself have fallen victim to many times over. It is not a healthy endeavor.

(Not that these anons were doing so! I just want to point that out, bc it took me a very long time to realize that. I feel these anons were good-faith attempts to discuss this, but again it is nigh impossible to have that conversation on a platform like this.)

I just want to clarify that, and emphasize that You are in no way flawed, bad, or even overreacting for having a negative association with Jimmy from Mouthwashing, or any other character, and/or the ways fandom engages with him and the cruelty he manifests in his narrative.

The woobifying of genuinely terrible characters has a long and sordid history. Being disgusted or apprehensive of art that can be portrayed or engaged with that way is completely valid!

I just want people to recognize that their personal needs surrounding how to handle his themes/actions/narrative is not the only valid way to analyze or break him down as a character. Sometimes art that reads that way to you may not actually be intended that way by the artist, or they may be working through their own stuff. That's their right as much as it is yours to avoid it.

Your needs are simply at odds with someone else's, and that is a natural and normal part of both fandom and the human experience in general. We are all shades of grey, not simple black/whites with labels we can easily adhere to.

I'll try to make this the last on this matter, fwiw!

gonna be real seeing you boil down someone else's concerns abt making light of a rapist in media as fandom drama really hurts as someone who's experienced that kind of violence first hand. the character is fictional and obviously doesnt exist. but rape victims do exist and we see when people sexualize or joke about predators. idk. i don't intend to tell you what to do, but i hope this helps maybe explain why someone else could've been startled or upset to see that on your blog. its your space you can do what you want with it. i think some media doesn't need to be fandomized or treated as yaoi fodder. maybe it can just be taken seriously and discussed with respect. i think its pretty reasonable for victims of particular types of violence to express discomfort or concern when people joke about or make light of those who perpetrate it.

I genuinely get where you are coming from, I do. But what that ask was getting at did not convey to me what you seem to have taken from it.

There's a difference between making light of/mocking/making jokes about sexual assault/rape vs drawing a character who does those things in a narrative in an unserious way. Likewise, I feel that boiling down the narrative to just be about that One Act in many, many ways does a disservice to the narrative and characters as a whole.

I'm also not understanding where exactly this is coming from, to be entirely honest.

A person can be fully capable of breaking down and analyzing Jimmy in a way that is entirely respectful while still, also, making light of other aspects or enjoying him removed from that context. Drawing a character in a goofy way doesn't mean the person is making light of Anya's SA, or even excusing it. You can ship two characters while still finding the canon actions of one absolutely despicable. These things are not mutually exclusive!

Just as you're not telling me what to do, I'm not saying you, or that other anon, or anyone else has to put up with seeing that character or engaging with media that portrays him that way, to be clear. I'm not trying to tell you that your feelings or hurt or experiences aren't valid, they clearly and very much are.

But it's not my job, or even obligation, to protect you from it. Or any other trigger, for that matter. I do what I can with tags, but that's a courtesy I try to apply when and where I can.

That's what I'm getting at here. I tagged for him and that ship so others could avoid it if they found it upsetting. The anon did not do that, so I explained my stance.

People will engage with media in ways that are upsetting to you, or ways that even disgust you. I can't stop them, I make no plans to, and if my opinions or behaviors around this are upsetting or disappointing to you, if I endanger you or anyone by behaving this way, it is in your best interest to block me and have a safer and less stressful experience online. Those tools are readily available for that very reason.

I know far too many others who have also experienced that kind of violence, family included. I know the frustration and hurt of making light of that kind of thing, and how it can and does impact others.

But this is not that.

If, however, you feel it is, that's your right! I can't tell you how to engage with anything, nor do I intend to. I cannot change my space to fit your needs, and I'm genuinely sorry if that makes you feel unsafe or upset. I'm not trying to make light SA or the victims thereof.

I'm trying to, as best as I can, explain that policing how others engage with a fandom and its characters simply does not and cannot work. That isn't "fandom drama" - it's the psychology of humans and the media they connect with. Humans are complicated creatures, and our needs and interests vary wildly.

There is no monolithic way to demand others engage with a source material, and attempting to do so does more harm to you than that effort is worth. I hope you and that other anon can have a less upsetting day/night/etc - again, I'm sorry if this is frustrating to hear, but I fear this is an impasse we simply won't agree on in this way.

[umichenginabroad]

Some crazy new things I do and see (ft Stockholm)

Vítej zpět!

I've always been one to try new things, like I never have a set Starbucks order and decided to learn diving and wood burning on a whim. This hasn't been much different in Prague tbh; I feel like I'm only here for 3 months, so why wouldn't I keep looking for new experiences. And that's basically how I started rock climbing and aerial silks... I've wanted to do both for a while and Prague gave me the perfect opportunity.

If you're keeping up with other IPE bloggers, you've probably seen the climbing mentions on Janice's blogs. She's essentially the one that roped me into climbing <3 I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I do though! I think it's something about the problem solving of how to get up the path combined with the feeling of getting stronger the more I climb. A group of us has been going every week, and it's been a lot of fun helping analyze other climbs and cheering each other on. The advantages of being tall are crazy; i just don't have the wingspan or height to reach some of the boulders like they do 😅

Aerial silks probably aligns more with what I'm better at, though I still have little arm strength lmao (I'm pretty flexible, so contorting my body is much easier than finding ways to grip boulders). The instructor was super sweet and didn't speak great English, but she'd motion to help me understand and that was honestly good enough. It was a bit intimidating at first, especially with some of the more advanced students watching, but I was really proud of what I was able to accomplish. Like look at that almost scorpion thing I'm doing, ngl I told the instructor I don't bend that way but hey I did it! + I'll definitely be back

Speaking of new things I did, my trip to Stockholm was without my roommates. Traveling with a new group always has a different dynamic, and the theme of this weekend was definitely teasing and doing random stupid things 😂

Church, shoreside, and parliament building

Stockholm was unfortunately a little dreary (one of our teachers is Swedish and confirmed its much better in the summer), so we split our time visiting museums, exploring the streets, and underground (!!). Highlights as follows:

Vasamusset - museum dedicated to just the Vasa ship. Actually, the story is a little sad, she sank before making it out of the harbor on her first voyage... basically the engineers didn't engineer well

Gamla Stan (old town) - cobblestone roads and various warm toned buildings, tons of tourist shops but we stopped for some yummy pastries. Cinnamon rolls and vanilla cream buns are Stockholm classics

Ikea - good ol ikea is the same in Sweden as everywhere else, but we were really excited to see it

Fotografiska - contemporary photography exhibition with some cool art like this aurora borealis video and mirror room with projections

And finally our 3 hour metro art gallery tour! These were so cool. I can't believe everyone in Stockholm just gets to enjoy all this art on their commutes. There was so much variation with some being purely artistic and others having historical elements. I happened to be wearing the same colors as one of the walls, so I decided to camouflage into it for fun lol

I would definitely recommend a trip to Stockholm, but maybe try when there's warmer weather or at least no rain...

I'm honestly really excited to relax and not travel one of these weekends. I don't think I thought out how tiring traveling would make me, but I guess it's part of the adventure!

Tak čau,

Catherine Jiang Computer Science Tech Career Accelerator in Prague

Czech Words

Vítej zpět - welcome back

Tak čau - literally "so bye", by a common informal goodbye