1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 4

by working with people you love, looking how you like, and creating art that people love enough to wear forever. If you're really good, you might even become famous, work at conventions, be published in magazines, or write books.

It's a serious job and carries a lot of responsibility. It involves the trust of every person that you will tattoo-that you know how to keep them safe, and how to do the tattoo correctly.

Tattoo artists are unwilling to apprentice people who are not interested in tattooing as a career. The amount of work and time it takes to properly train someone to tattoo safely just isn't worth it. Learning on your own will not allow you the ability to use modern techniques and equipment, since most retailers will not sell professional-grade equipment to amateurs. Despite what you may have read on the internet, there are NO books that will teach you everything you need to know to be a tattoo artist. These will only give you bits of information, and without good, working equipment and true, complete information, you just can't tattoo all that well.

If you're planning on doing this for fun, don't bother. It is an actual, honest-to-god, real-life career, and should be approached as one.

If you decide that you do want to make a career of tattooing, you're halfway there. Making the commitment to learn is the same as any other skilled occupation-it will take a few years to become proficient, and it will take initiative to learn. Most tattoo artists eventually have one or more apprentices, so if you are dedicated and persistent your chances are good.

Start by making a resume. List your work experience, and your art background, if you have any. As your cover page, write a brief synopsis of the reasons you'd like to become a tattoo artist, and what it means to you. Seeing a professional resume instead of being asked verbally to teach makes a great deal of difference, and puts you ahead of the dabblers. It gives you a professional appearance, and allows the artist you want to learn from to take you seriously.

Assemble a small portfolio of drawings, photographs, and paintings you've done, and make several bound copies of it at kinko's on the color copier. If you don't draw, consider taking an art class or two before you start trying to learn tattooing. Despite events on recent television shows, it's much easier to learn one skillset at a time. You can ask a tattoo artist for guidance about which classes might apply or be useful, but a basic drawing, color theory,

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Steps to becoming a tattoo artist?
We want to hear your view. Write now!