An apprenticeship pays you in knowledge. College isn’t free. Why should someone just give away all that they’ve learned without something in return.

You’ll progress so much faster learning under someone rather than going at it by yourself. I started my apprenticeship at 32 years old. Sometimes it sucked being critiqued by a 24 year old. I had to…[Read more]

By not going through an apprenticeship, you lose credibility in the eyes of other tattoo artists. If you’ve got tattoos and artistic ability, you’ll be able to gauge whether the artist is any good, states and counties have basic guidelines on sterilization and the prevention of cross contamination in tattoo and piercing shops. If you get licensed,…[Read more]

Thanks, couldn’t agree more. I have such a hard time putting black in. By that, I mean before I add color, my shading looks sooo dark. When I’m done with my color, sometimes the images look flat. Maybe I’ll have to break up sittings and have them come back after the shading is healed.

I lurk every now and again. I get so caught up with work that I don’t have time for anything else.

Thanks! All critiques welcome. I’m trying to get my work to the next level.

Peterpoose, do I have a shot at making your list?

This one is obviously a work in progress.

The third sitting for this one is tomorrow!

Yeah, I’m a tattoo artist. Just thought I’d leave my thoughts on your tattoo. I’m not sure most people are familiar with the movie it’s from. The special effects weren’t that great. Great movie though.

Thanks dude! I’m always flattered by your comments.

The second one is repairable. You just need to find a good artist that is good at realism and familiar with the movie Dead Alive. Although it might never be perfect, I could make it way better than it is in just one sitting.

Here’s some more stuff. Some are just linework/first sittings. Just passed my one year anniversary of tattooing full time.

Here’s my first portrait. Still needs one more sitting

It’s almost never as bad as you expect it to be. The first ten minutes are the hardest, then you get used to it.

I know the subject matter is different, but this is what I gave a client for $100.

metalmancpa;117459 wrote:
Aside from “cash is king” for tipping (and I’m a good tipper), if I also wanted to bring something noncash, would you somehow find out what the artist likes or just wing it with something you think is cool? I’ve searched the forum and seen suggestions like booze or weed, but I have no idea if Gunnar smokes or what he…[Read more]

It’s not just $850. It’s the fact that she was kind enough to get me a tool that will help me every day in my job. I tattoo lots of other people for money every day. That’s the nice thing about money; you can always make more. I can afford to give away a few tattoos for her.

I’ve been tattooing this retired middle school teacher for about 9 months now. She was my first repeat client that wasn’t a friend before I began tattooing. I gave her her first tattoo. She’s got ten of them now. Anyway, yesterday she was complaining about how uncomfortable her chair was while I was tattooing her. I told her I was saving up for…[Read more]

Also, keep in mind that this is a fresh tattoo and the grey washes aren’t yet softened by healing.

This is the image he brought to me. He wanted it to be halfway between a line drawing and a portrait. I had to move the hand a bit to make it fit the area better.

Time for a trip!

I don’t know where you’re located, but I met an artist from New York City that is right up your alley. Her name is Jes Ashby at White Rabbit Tattoo.

http://whiterabbittattoostudio.com/artwork/1981418_Jes_Ashby.html