How Can I Become A Tattoo Artist?
Just because you want to be a Tattoo artist does not mean you will be one! It is a highly competitive field. Read the book “What makes a good Tattoo artist" and if you are still keen then read “How to become a successful Tattoo artist".
If you want to be a Tattoo artist here are a few things you need to know...
Not all Tattooists are created equal; you will never make it with and against them if you don’t have the right skills and attitude. The following context is straight forward with very in your face facts. If someone has told you that anyone can make it as a Tattoo artist if they have the desire and passion then I’m afraid you have been fooled. The following is what it really takes.
Big money is out there. Tattooing is a huge business and a lot of popular artists are making a huge profit. Some have such a dedicated clientele and reputation that they have to put people on a waiting list of weeks, months even years in advance! Some customers are so dedicated to an artist’s work that they are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a few hours work. So you’re probably thinking Wooohooooooooo big money fast..well sorry reality check, that’s just a tiny part of the whole picture. Firstly the artists making huge profits versus artists working just as hard and only making ends meet is a very high ratio. Secondly it is very costly to run a successful, clean, safe, professional and sterile shop.
Customers go back to an artist if they trust them for their cleanliness and work quality. An Autoclave sterilizer can cost up to thousands of dollars. Top quality Tattoo machines, power supplies, sanitation and medical equipment also add up. Don’t forget there’s insurance, licenses and many more legalities that can empty your bank account before you even get started. If you’re just in this for the money then forget it. You’re going to be disappointed. Anyone who starts up a new business venture must also be prepared for it to fail. If you do not have the passion and love for tattooing…I mean really love and would not be willing to do it for free then sorry but don’t even waste your time trying to get into it.
Fame…well it’s just as pathetic as the motivation for money is! Yes there are some artists who are considered famous and most people would indulge getting tattooed by them. These artists didn’t get into Tattooing to be famous, it is something that was simply earned by working insane hours and dedicating every drop of sweat to the art and this is how the dedication of clientele came about. If it’s just an ego boost then this is not for you.
So you like to draw, your mates tell you that your amazing, possibly your teachers tell you that you have great potential. Maybe that makes you a candidate for a Tattoo artist; don’t get your hopes up. If you think you have skills..well read on. At present there are so many people Tattooing. Many cities have a Tattoo studio on every corner and some of the artists are putting out masterpieces. If you don’t have what it takes to match or exceed the quality of competition then forget it…move along. Tattooing isn’t about stencils it’s about art, not just any art –there is a big difference between drawing and putting out a work of art under pressure.
If you are looking for an apprenticeship then you better be able to “Oh my God..wow” them with your portfolio or forget it.
Look at the art of Tattooists such as Pat Fish, Tom Renshaw, Keely Tackett, Paul Booth, Kat Von D, Randy Adams and Matthew Amey. Not amazed yet?? Then check out Aaron Bell, Henning Jorgeson, Juli Moon or Trevor Marshall. This is just a glimpse of the Tattoo world’s most talented artists and their phenomenal standard of work they provide. Are you ready to work your way up as one of their peers? If you’re not ready and you’re not willing to put in the hours and hard work to get there then forget Tattooing, it’s not for you. If all you want to do is draw and make fast cash then you have nothing to offer the world of Tattooing.
“Anything worth doing is worth doing well” This is so true in the art of Tattooing. Drawing on paper is one thing being an artist on skin is another. Before you can be a Tattoo artist you must learn all other areas of working in a Tattoo studio. The most important thing, more so than drawing, tattooing or making money, is knowing how to keep your customers safe. You need to know how to clean, prevent cross contamination, sterilize equipment, what has to be sterilized and what gets thrown away. You need to know how to protect your equipment, how to dispose of contaminated materials. All of this is so important, if you don’t give a damn then forget about being a Tattooist or you will have someone’s blood on your hands faster than you can say “lawsuit” Safety is the main and top priority of any artist and studio owner. The best way to learn is to practice under someone that has been doing and living it for years.
When you have the basics only then will they teach you the art. Learning how to apply a Tattoo to hundreds of different skin types without “damaging” your client can take months even years. Prepare yourself in how to customize particular designs to meet the individual wants and desires of your customers. After many, many hours you will learn how to increase your speed, improve your consistency and effectively go from one customer to the next.
You need to learn customer relations, how to run and manage a Tattoo studio. This will be all under the direction of an experienced Tattoo artist. They will be there to answer your questions, correct your mistakes and give you constant and continual guidance. This is truly the only way to learn how to Tattoo. Ask any Tattoo artist who was self taught and they will strongly advise against it to anyone. If you want to make an impact don’t be lazy and stupid and take the easy road.
Desire alone will not be enough to make it in the tattoo world. Desire is wanting, but not doing. What you need is dedication that will inspire you into action. You need enough dedication to stick with it for the long haul. Remember this is not a get rich quick scheme, it is an art. Some painters will become famous and get rich but most don’t. All of them though do it for the love. The same stands for tattoo artists. If you love it that much you will do absolutely anything to become a competitive artist.
Being a Tattooist seems to give the idea of glamour and a high income, thus making people want to become a Tattoo artist. Many of them make the mistake of buying a basic kit and Tattooing their family and friends, which is very dangerous. Most of these people will never become successful at Tattooing and will certainly not acquire the skills needed to compete in this highly competitive business. If you are truly serious about becoming a skilled, talented and competent artist this is what you need to do.
- Have raw talent, be able to draw not copy.
- Hone your talent into a skill, skill can come from a Fine Arts class, working with a fellow artist, learning techniques from books or all of the above. The biggest thing is practice...you can never do enough of this. When you are a competent artist on paper you need to make yourself up a portfolio. This is a case or folder filled with your own artwork which shows your different drawing skills.
- Next step is an apprenticeship. This is where you will learn skills from someone already skilled in the trade. In some cases an apprenticeship can be free-but mostly they cost many thousands of dollars. So start saving!
- You then need to find an apprenticeship, don’t take the first one offered to you. Find one right for you. One with an artist you feel you can learn from, not just someone offering an apprenticeship to make money. Actually getting an apprenticeship can be difficult.
- Unless you’re rich you will need to have a regular job as well as doing your apprenticeship. You will not be getting paid for your apprenticeship.
- When you are an apprentice you will learn an abundance of skills from your teacher, most of which will have nothing to do with drawing. You will learn how to clean equipment, operate a Tattoo machine; adjust your power supply and how to protect yourself and your clients from disease and lastly how to apply a Tattoo. This in itself is an art form.
- During your apprenticeship you will continue to practice and master your drawing skills. Getting yourself Tattooed is also another way to watch and learn techniques of other master Tattoo artists.
- There is no big graduation from an apprenticeship. The teacher decides when you are ready to go off alone. In some cases a contract may be signed at the beginning of an apprenticeship and terms may vary. Check your contract when your apprenticeship is finished. You may choose to stay in the shop where you did your apprenticeship or spread your wings once you feel you have learnt all you can from you teacher.
No matter how long your apprenticeship or how long you have been tattooing you will never ever know it all. You will continue to learn, adopt new techniques and ways to enhance what has been done. Never be satisfied with normality and never allow yourself to be egotistical.
You need:
Talent and Skill
A Portfolio
Humility and Passion,
Money
A regular Job
Drive and Determination
Persistence and Perseverance.
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