It seems you have an affinity for Japanese tattoo themes. I would say to check out the works of Horiyoshi III, Shige, and Jack Mosher. Study their styles and how each form is laid out. Pay attention to lines and line weight. Which lines are thicker and thinner and why. Also read up on people like Bert Grimm, Sailor Jerry, and Lyle Tuttle. Understand where tattooing has been and where it’s going. Learn how to paint with watercolors and liquid acrylics.

Start drawing flash. Flash sheets consist of five or so smallish drawings in full color on and 11 x 17 paper. Each flash sheet should have a corresponding sheet of just line drawings. The designs could be hearts, roses, skulls, raccoons, who cares. Just demonstrate your ability to draw similar designs in different ways.

Use references when you draw. Pay special attention to light and shadow.

Get tattooed. I wouldn’t take a person seriously for an apprenticeship if they hadn’t atleast dedicated a bunch of hours getting tattooed. It also helps you get your foot in the door. Show your drawings around. Ask for criticism. Don’t take it to heart. Use it and apply it to your next drawing/painting. Be humble.

Go to conventions. Ask for advise from the pros there. Don’t ask things like “How do I get an apprenticeship?” Ask things like “How did you get into tattooing?” people are more willing to talk when you follow the 80/20 rule. 80% about them 20% about you.

Draw, Draw, Draw. Draw everything and anything you can think of.

It took me 12 years to get an apprenticeship at one of the best shops in my area. I asked countless artist at countless shops. I was offered a few chances but none of them ever felt right until I found this one. You’ll have to work really really hard but totally worth it if you’re the right person.

I can’t really give you any advice, being that I can’t draw and I’m not a tattooist, but I wanted to wish you luck with your endeavor. Your Japanese stuff looks really bad ass.

Thing I hate the most about my industry is people who just “have” to get a apprenticeship. Just to let you know there is already an abundance of tattooers, so many that in todays economy its getting more and more difficult to make a living. 80% of those tattooers couldn’t draw to save there lives. When it comes down to brass tacs your art is not to par. I have seen numerous artists asked if they were interested in learning to tattoo without asking for an apprenticeship prior. Because there focus was art in the beginning , not after the fact of wanting to become a tattooer. Skin is just another medium, a very difficult one to master. Master other mediums before seeking out an apprenticeship. Don’t want to sound like an ass, just offering advice based on 22 years of experience.

As you said in your original post the college course was a good start, but not the best. Its going to teach you a few fundamentals but i find at a college you tend to get the “we’re more interested in your cash than your talent” level of instruction. In most major US cities with large NFP museums these museums offer outreach programs. Here in Houston the MFAH has the Glassell school of art. Its places like this that art instruction reaches an entirely new level, very small classes and realworld theory. Something like that would be an awesome place to start. Aside from further instruction all you can do is practice your art. Practice, practice, practice. Draw everything, then draw it again. Study the styles and genres of different artists. If you dont have any friends that are artists themselves, find some new friends. Influence and collaboration are some of the best things for you right now. Hope that helps at least a little, its not a step by step guide to get an apprenticeship but rather some ways of becoming a well rounded “artist”.

Your stuff is pretty good! In my experience one year courses don’t really teach that much so well done for being a natural!
I’d say practice your lines more than shading when you’re drawing, draw as if you’re tattooing someone just so you can perfect that delicacy and steady hand.
Don’t just put drawings in your portfolio either, do paintings too, prints, collages, all sorts of creative stuff that shows your ability, your style, influences and stuff like that. You want to start your portfolio strong and end strong too. My portfolio starts with my best tattoo designs, designs inspired by my favourite artists, pencil drawn portraits then ends with mixed media art works.
After I finished my art course I went around asking for an apprenticeship but to no avail. I’ve just been asked to join a tattoo parlor after my friend recommended me to his boss so I was so so lucky. It’s a hard industry to break into, sure you’re great artist and keen but it just depends whether the tattooist wants to honor you with the opportunity..
Good luck!

Cheers 🙂
I’ve just uploaded my portfolio, in reverse order like a douche bag D:
Let me know what you think!