Hi

First of all you should take your best drawings and get them mounted in a proper artist portfolio with plastic coverings to preserve the quality of them.

It is always better to have quality over quantity – there is no sense in having hundreds of drawings you want to maybe focus between 15-25.

It also helps if you have some examples of the same drawing but done from different angles so you can show that you would be able to do a tattoo that may wrap around the arm or leg etc.

You definitely need examples of work from the main tattoo genres;

Traditional (anchors, hearts, swallows etc)

Japanese/Chinese

Bio-Mech

Portrait

Animalistic

Tribal

Fantasy

Floral

I would also advise doing them in a mixture of black and shade, colour, and light colouring/highlights.

Many artists are interested in seeing what your overall ability is and whether you can push the limits of your comfort zone.

They also want to see some passion and determination – many will have you drawing/tracing those same flowers until you puke at the sight of them. 😉

I was recently offered an apprenticeship even though my drawing skills are basic – he said with enough practice I could make it but we were talking 5 years of solid work and training.

I declined based the fact that although I love the subject enough to write about it I realised that I simply was not dedicated enough to start a new career ( I am bored with my present one but hell I am settled).

Yes I know – most ppl called me an idiot and perhaps I am.

I hope the above helps.

Take Care
Matthew