Tattoo Artist

Becoming a tattoo artist takes much hard work, time, patience and even just plain old raw talent. It takes between one and five years of difficult training to become a competent tattoo artist. This is not a job where you buy a do-it-yourself kit and practice on your friends, a very dangerous proposition. You need to be able to draw and color properly and do it inside the lines.

The first thing you need to do is just practice drawing and hone that talent into a skill. You could take fine art classes, study books and even learn the ropes from a professional artist. On top of that, keep practicing until it becomes second nature. Make sure, however, you are doing all this on paper and NOT on someone’s body!

As your artistic abilities grow, start building a portfolio, or a collection of the best samples of your work, that showcase what you are able to do as an artist. You will need to this as you will have to find an apprenticeship, which is working under a professional tattoo artist who will show how to become a professional yourself.

Sometimes you can get an apprenticeship for free – you don’t get paid, but you also don’t have to pay your professional. However, sometimes you have to pay thousands of dollars for being under the tutelage of the professional. So, make sure you are in the best situation for your finances.

You also need to find that person who will take you under your wing. This is someone with whom you feel comfortable working and learning. Not every professional tattoo artist makes a good teacher, so make sure you interview a small number of professional tattoo artists before you make a decision for whom you are going to work.

Something that is often forgotten is this apprenticeship can be time consuming, and unless you are rich, you will also need another job to pay your bills. Make sure you allow enough time in your day to earn enough money, have enough time for work, study and also rest.

Once you have that coveted apprenticeship, make sure you make the most of it and learn all you can from your professional. Ask lots of questions. If a professional does not like answering questions, that he is not a good teacher. And many of your questions with have nothing to do with actual drawing.

Things you will need to know include how to safely clean your equipment, how to operate a tattoo machine, how to adjust your power supply, how to protect yourself and your clients from disease, and last but not least, how to correctly apply a tattoo. This can take many months to learn completely. And make sure you take time to talk to other artists about the profession. Everyone you meet with has a potential to teach you something.

Once you and your professional feel you are ready, it is time to become a professional tattoo artist. You can possibly work for your professional, work for another shop or start your own shop (highly discouraged until you have professional experience under your belt).

No matter how long you apprentice or how long you tattoo, you never know it all. There is always more to learn, new techniques to adopt, new ways to enhance what has already been done. Never be satisfied with mediocrity and never allow yourself to become egotistical.

This can be a long, rewarding career and the financial aspects of it can make it very attractive. Just make sure you are becoming a tattoo artist for the right reasons and that you are willing to dedicate the time and effort required in becoming a master yourself.