tyreepatrick

[tyreepatrick]

I just recently started bagging my machines but it seems like a hassle since I still clean the machines after every tattoo. Why do you say it contaminates them more, Nightliner?

[tyreepatrick]

I was told many times by many artists before I became a professional that the best way to learn tattoos is to get tattoos. Save some dough and get some cool work from a few professionals and keep working on your current mentor for an official apprenticeship. And don’t forget to draw. Always. Tattooing is not just tracinig like most wanna-be’s think. Tattooing is drawing. If your art sucks so will your tattoos. Good luck.

[tyreepatrick]

You can’t draw, you have no imagination, but you want to be a tattoo artist? Sounds like you probably think tattoos are cool and may be a little envious of artistic ability. Your family may be tight on money but if art is something important to you then find a way. You should be old enough to find a part time job or figure out a way to earn a few bucks for a non credit class or some art lessons somewhere. Ask your local art supply store if they know of any classes in your area. However, just because you pick up a few lessons and draw a little better you can’t teach imagination. Not all artists are cut out to be tattooists.

I run my own shop and I see young kids come in all the time looking for an apprentiship. Their sketchbooks are terrible and it’s always the same old stuff. Daggers, hearts, roses, skulls and crosses. All the stuff people get tattooed all the time. A successful artist will find their own style of their own vision. I tell them that unless they think they are going to bring something totally different to the industry then there is no use in trying to be a part of it. There are way too many shit artists as it is.

You have to be a good artist to be a good tattoo artist. And you have to be creative to work in a creative business. If this is what you want you have to fight for it. Your mom’s wallet isn’t going to get you there. Practice drawing every chance you get. Go to the library and pick up some books on how to draw. You obviously have the internet which has more information about how to do stuff than anywhere else. Educate yourself and work at it. Maybe in a few years you will have some ability. If all this sounds like too much effort than it’s not something you really want to do. Just don’t buy a tattoo machine and start infecting your friends as you try to achieve some kind of rock star status as a tattooist. That would make you a poser and very unwelcome to the tattoo community. Good luck.

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