Becoming a Tattoo artist: what's the "in"?

[DON SVO]

I've designed a bunch of tattoos for people (a couple on this board and a couple more coming) and I've looked at trying my hand at doing the artwork on the permanent end. How does one go about the apprenticeship and learning process?

[bonnie&clyde]

there is a guy in my academy selling a tattoo gun if u are interested

[Sleeper]

Good luck. Its a awesome skill to know, even if ill never have a tat in my life. I really appreciate the art. Not the stupid shit the real art.

[Trip McNeely]

I imagine drawing artwork on paper is probably a lot easier than on a human being. Good luck with that.

[talisman]

Hope you like drawing butterflies and stars.

[DON SVO]

Good luck. Its a awesome skill to know, even if ill never have a tat in my life. I really appreciate the art. Not the stupid shit the real art.

Well that's the thing. I know I'd start out doing to the stupid stencil easy shit. But I love black/white work (pen and pencil art) and I am good with shading and perspective. I'd like to do traditional work and intricate pieces that tie in old work and/or cover ups.

[BradM]

Are you good at unicorns and skulls, cause I really want a unicorn skull on my chest.

[Sleeper]

If you really want to do it you basically have to work full time for free.

Thats all ive ever seen out of the people i knew who worked in tat shops.

[DON SVO]

If you really want to do it you basically have to work full time for free.

Thats all ive ever seen out of the people i knew who worked in tat shops.

What's the purpose of working for free? Is it the experience and networking? Do they have a 'program' where you work and then become promoted to a paid artist?

[Sleeper]

Thats just the two people i know. They worked basically for free, but in turn where taught how to tat.

[Trip McNeely]

Call up Ami James and tell him you're gonna ink him out of town.

[Geor!]

Let me see some of your other designs and maybe I'll hire you to design mine.

[slow55]

Most people I know that do it all started by getting the equipment and practicing on watermelons and pumpkins.

[jasone]

You basically have to be a shop bitch for several years while the artist who takes you under his wing teaches you how to tattoo. There may be other ways than this but I have had about 6 or 7 different tattoo artists and this was how they learned.

[Pro88LX]

You basically have to be a shop bitch for several years while the artist who takes you under his wing teaches you how to tattoo. There may be other ways than this but I have had about 6 or 7 different tattoo artists and this was how they learned.

THIS. My budy runs a good shop out here and thats how they do it.