Did you know that almost half of people looking to get a tattoo say the number one factor they consider is the skill level and reputation of the tattoo artist? Mastery should therefore be your goal if you want to be a tattoo artist that stands out from the competition.
Read on for more information on how to improve your tattoo skills and get started in the industry.
Immerse yourself in the art form
In your quest to become a master tattoo artist, it is essential that you surround yourself with all things tattooing. See how you can do this:
- Listen to podcasts from the big names that came before you
- Subscribe to one (or more) of the many tattoo magazines
- Follow your favorite designers on social networks
- Buy art books featuring tattoo artists
This will not only inspire, but also open the door to potential opportunities.
Master your understanding of line and form
One of the key tattoo skills you need to master is based on the classics: drawing. So the first thing to work on is your ability to split images into a series of lines.
A common exercise taught in drawing classes is choosing an object or person to draw. Then, without taking your pencil from the paper or your eyes from the subject, create a line that captures all aspects of your study. If you are drawing a person, this should include facial features, hair, etc.
After doing this a few times, you’ll start to create easily recognizable line art of what you’re trying to capture. Then you do the same thing, except you break your subject into geometric shapes.
To continue practicing these techniques, you should also look into tattoo drawing exercises.
Consult the training programs
There’s no better way to learn than working directly with a professionally trained artist. This can take the form of a school or an apprenticeship. Taking the apprenticeship route often involves learning safety, hygiene, and other manual skills before tattooing human skin.
Check out this article for more information on tattoo learning opportunities and alternatives for getting the skills you need to get started.
Capture your environment to inspire you
Every great tattoo artist needs inspiration. Fortunately, inspiration is all around you; it’s in the everyday objects you interact with, the people in your home, and the media you consume. If you feel stuck, try changing your environment for creative stimulation.
Practice time: start with yourself
The human body, and all its contours, is a very different medium from the paper or objects on which you have practiced so far. So when you’re finally ready to practice tattooing, you shouldn’t practice on another human yet. Instead, your first customer should be yourself.
This will give you the hands-on experience you need to start working on skin. There’s a reason this is considered a rite of passage by many tattoo artists.
Improve your tattoo skills as you get to work
The amount of work you put into developing your tattoo skills is directly proportional to your level of improvement. So remember to have some patience as you work on mastery and practice, practice, practice.
For more answers to your pressing questions, check out the other informative articles in our Education section.
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