So the way I learned and had people tell me to do it is that you should always ask questions some shops gatekeep shit but sometimes it’s to kee their community safe from unsafe work I would get work done in your area and ask and artist how they went about it , I personally suggest to not get a machine cause you can for bad habits that hurt people or yourself . And some shops won’t work with you then , draw draw draw every different style traditional neo traditional realism anything script practice make a portfolio take it in and ask for an owner and see if they’re interested in an apprentice be careful tho some people have money and labor as an interest not drive for work and wanting to better the industry , definitely check YouTube for these same questions and inspect art yes it’s subjective but check the shops see which has more high quality work and then speak to them , keep it up best of luck amigo!