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

[DriveWayBuilt]

Get people that are willing to let you practice on. I know lots of people that do them if you need any pointers let me know. Ill post some pics of my work

[Sean88gt]

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.

I'm with you. I think the ability to take a suggestion or an idea and turn it into a tattoo is amazing, that being said, I think a lot of "artists" and merely transfer specialist.

[DON SVO]

I'm with you. I think the ability to take a suggestion or an idea and turn it into a tattoo is amazing, that being said, I think a lot of "artists" and merely transfer specialist.

Anybody can trace.

[03trubluGT]

The first thing you will need is one of these to stand on:

[DON SVO]

The first thing you will need is one of these to stand on:

I refuse to touch up the pink and purple in your ladybug montage.

[Blackout]

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?

first thing you will need to do is make a portfolio of your art. then start hitting up shops and asking if any of the artist are looking to take on a apprentice. next is your a shop bitch for the next year or two and you pay the artist money sometimes not and he will throw you a bone every now and then. other than that i hate to tell ya their is no way to really learn that trade. good luck man.

[samuel642000]

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.

I need a cover up finished

[DON SVO]

I need a cover up finished

You can send me a pic of the tattoo and an idea of the cover. If you're so inclined.

[Nash B.]

The Tooter Rose you designed looked pretty rad. Good luck, dude! sic!

[DON SVO]

The Tooter Rose you designed looked pretty rad. Good luck, dude! sic!

LOL thanks man

[BradM]

Haha, I was going to post a unicorn skull drawing in this thread but came across this link. Kind of a neat idea, different skulls with sugar skull motifs.

http://www.digitalbusstop.com/sugar-skull-prints/

[blownaltered]

first thing you will need to do is make a portfolio of your art. then start hitting up shops and asking if any of the artist are looking to take on a apprentice. next is your a shop bitch for the next year or two and you pay the artist money sometimes not and he will throw you a bone every now and then. other than that i hate to tell ya their is no way to really learn that trade. good luck man.

That's how it works. One of my friends owns his own shop and that is how he get his apprentices

[rz5.0]

Prison...get a short sentence..

[talisman]

Anybody can trace.

[Chopped54]

first thing you will need to do is make a portfolio of your art. then start hitting up shops and asking if any of the artist are looking to take on a apprentice. next is your a shop bitch for the next year or two and you pay the artist money sometimes not and he will throw you a bone every now and then. other than that i hate to tell ya their is no way to really learn that trade. good luck man.

Summed it up right here.

I know quite a few people that own or have owned their own shop. If you want to be a successful and respected artist there is no other way than to get an apprenticeship. If you do not know anyone, are not heavily tattooed, or have some insanely ridiculous talent good luck in finding anyone to take you under their wing. You can buy your own shit and learn on your own tattooing chicken breast, but is VERY looked down on if you ever plan on being successful at it.