How to get into tattooing........the right way
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- Always dreamed about being a tattoo artist? Struggling to find that apprenticeship and just need that big break? Fear not! Dan is here to tell you the do's and don't of getting an apprenticeship and most of all, doing it the right way.
Finally something helpful xD
When I started 13 years ago I found it so hard to get an apprenticeship, I was desperately trying to do it the right way, but eventually I found myself looking into it on my own, I now have a licensed studio on the side of my home and do not regret a thing, I agree it's harder to learn on your own and tattooists in shops will make it hard and do everything they can to get you to stop but on the flip side I've seen bad tattoos come out of studio's that have been around for years. I appreciate anyone that's gone into this industry with nothing but hard work dedication and a dream to be as good as they can.
Hi ink Tonk in NO WAY would I ever class you as a scratcher you should be proud of yourself it’s hard….I learned on my own for many years to so I know this ….LETS BE VERY CLEAR you are not a scratcher just because you learn by yourself….a scratcher is someone running a “business” from there or someone else’s house without the proper training, hygiene,license or insurance under cutting license shops as they don’t pay tax, license or insurance….
It’s possible to be a professional tattooist from a fully licensed and insured studio in your house and of course you can become a tattooist on your own but it’s much much harder and you may not reach your full potential
@@TattooTesters well I once was talking to an older person doing tattoos all his life, he operated out of mobile home in trailer park, his saddle bag on his Harley, or trunk of his car. he was an older Biker, he cleaned needles soaking in rubbing alcohol, yes this was long ago, but he died of AIDS, and big mess about how many people he infected, yes, he passed disease to customers, but he never had put any tats on me, yet, & I gave up, and not until this year 2022, have I decided to try to learn, he died around 30 years ago.
I want to eventually have my own shop, just a small shop, but want my own, & I havent wanted that in many decades, I once was great at drawing, I am trying to draw again, not bought any equipment yet, but plan to, preferably finding some vintage coil machines from a by-gone era, I love old school. but 1 step at a time, get back comfortable doing drawings, then probably take classes online, then myself or close friends, then see about apprenticeships, even if have to drive 100 miles each way, but not only am I concerned about shop, but their competence as well, I seen work from several of places near me, 1 I wouldnt apply if last place, and another 60 miles away, owner runs a shop, but has no ink? yeah, reminds me of a young kid I knew, he was a professional butcher, but he lived Vegan? nope, not dealing with people that cant accept their own job.
I dont see anything wrong with learning on your own as long as you do your homework and if your lucky enough like I was some cool fellas in a local shop will answer your questions and show you a few things on your journey. I feel the most important part of being or becoming a tattooist is loving the art. Loving to see your art realized in this medium on skin forever. If you truly love the art you'll do your best to be clean to take as much time as necessary to make the best tattoo you can. If you only view tattooing as a cash grab and dont care how shit comes out then you have no business putting a machine in your hand. I did tats free for a couple years when I was learning cuz I just loved it. It was like meditation for me and when u do a great job and see how happy people get when they look at your work....that's tattooing!!
I am self-taught. It's a hell of a lot easier these days to be self-taught compared to when I first started (2006). The only bit of advice that I'll give to someone that doesn't get an apprenticeship is that you had better be a social person. You're truly fighting an uphill battle trying to establish clientele without the benefits of being apprenticed. It's worth that alone to get a proper apprenticeship, especially a street shop with a large walk-in base.
Joshua M very true 👍
unfortunately the average street shop isn't going to teach you much, will probably screw you over, and is involved with a lot of bullshit you don't want to get caught up in.
No you better have good work!
When I first started to get interesting in tattooing it was for a challenge, to test myself as I was already from an art, design, illustration career. I visited over 25 tattoo studios to try get an apprenticeship, some were commercial walk ins and some private appointment based studios and not many were interested in taking on apprentices without fees being exchanged or being a glorified cleaner and tea maker for 3 years.
Tattoo artists always whinge and complain about scratchers yet many don't do anything at all to help people get into the industry because money have become their motivator, so all those that don't send the lift back down to help others after you have been trained up yourself then that is an industry problem isn't it? also the reason why so many people get shit tattoos and infections.
Lots of dickheads get over inspired from dogshit TV shows that YOU were once part of because you and other shows of similar content made it look easy, or street cool or an easy way to make a very good living - digest that one.
You can't have it both ways Dan, you get what you sow and you partly sowed the problem.
I trained myself because the industry was so introverted and bitchy and yes that made me a scratcher but it was the only way I could learn, yes it was the longest way to learn but learn I did.
That is literally my issue and as a female (a black one at that) it’s even harder for me to obtain an apprenticeship. So I will continue to teach myself. I found one and they wanted 13,000 dollars in two weeks. 😭😅 yea okay.
@@fairyqueen3892 You shouldn't have to pay for apprenticeships, you earn them but at the same time you don't become a general cleaner and studio maid, yes you will do cleaning and station set ups and stencils but at the same time you should be learning from the artist how to tattoo. Keep drawing, keep practicing and keep learning and NEVER EVER allow colour, race or gender to be used against you, I know lots of tattoo artists from all kinds of cultural backgrounds and none of that shit matters.
If you are dedicated and work hard you WILL get there. Good luck.
@@Thirdfish awesome advice. Thank you. I did the workshop first which cost me $500 for 4 hours of how to set up a station properly and a few other important things. At the end they said if we wanted the apprenticeship we’d have to pay 13,000 and the discount was 9,000 if we can have the money in hand in two weeks. This is the ONLY shop willing to apprentice in my city. I am so willing to do the cleaning. I don’t want to I mean realistically who wants too, but I am willing because I want to learn so. I will keep practicing and keep my faith. Thank you.
@@fairyqueen3892 You can't possibly learn to tattoo on these short time courses, it take much longer. I'll guess that $900 is just a starter fee and it can't possibly cover everything you need to know about tattooing, so much to learn. You will end up paying much more if they see people are willing to pay them.
$500 to set a station up? but a reduced rate $900 for an apprenticeship???
I drew tattoo flash art sheets daily and bought practice gear and worked on pig skin and fake skins for over 1 year, i built up a portfolio and went to find an apprenticeship which was terrible so i thought i would carry on learning from artists on RUclips until i found another studio - no working studio will take you on if you do not have a good portfolio of artwork, they'll just take your money and keep asking for more.
I had little money so I learned how to set up stations, machine set ups, needle depth and all the rest in a clean space over and over again by watching top tattoo artists on line until i got it right and all for free and the money i saved went on good quality tattoo supplies.
I know many tattooist disagree with what i did because i didn't pay my studio dues, but i did put the hours, months and years in because i really didn't have a choice and i found that when i did go meet other apprentices i was more advanced than them because they were too busy mopping floors and making tea all day and had no money.
Learn as much as you can for free, draw, practice before you even think about tattooing because it is not easy and it is a long process, anyone tells you you can learn in 1 year is lying to you.
Be careful of these paid studio tutorials schemes they are usually a cash grab from shops that just want your money and you can learn all that info on RUclips from top artists and practice station set ups, machine set ups in a clean space, so that you know all of this while saving your money for quality tattoo equipment which is expensive and if you can't get in a studio in your town, try another town and if that's impossible don't let your dream die.
And when i say top artists, i mean professional artists with a reputation not RUclips vloggers tattooing fruit in their bedrooms.
Do you have an art portfolio? website?
@@Thirdfish $9,000 for the apprenticeship not $900
I'm a scratcher and my wife is a medical professional so I have a nice studio in my basement that has the best barriers and medical grade cleaning supplies
Lmao isn't it great!? I'm a CNA as well as a nursing student and scratcher and I tell you what I've saved SOOOO much money in sterilization supplies.
Well then is not really you I’m addressing is it.....
Lol im in the medical field as well wanting to tattoo on the side, we do have THE BEST CLEANING supplies
99% of tattoo artist started like that.
It's hard to find a place to apprentice . So if you love to tattoo you have to start somewhere .🤭
There's no such thing as a scratcher...these are "words" ...like "RIGHT WAY" to control the market scratchers see shop owners as pimps...im good all my hard earned money's stays in my pocket I'm not scrubbing bathrooms or being verbally abused when most of the tattoos that I'm correcting or covering were all done in "tattoo shops" plus I'm not asking another grown man permission for a day off to spend time with my family ...apprentice....master....scratcher...first..last...all the same😁
INK TRAP series look I really don’t understand this obsession about getting ripped off
yes there are shops who rip off there artists and apprentices BUT there are more decent shops who only care about the art of tattooing
I DON’T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT “the market” and I definitely don’t want to control it,
but why should I teach someone all MY HARD EARNED KNOWLEDGE if that individual don’t want to clean the bathrooms ???
I DID IT, I still do it....
I give my apprentices a life skill that they can take away a make a fantastic living for them selfs and there family
Don’t call me a pimp!!!
@@TattooTesters yea that's soo 1800s my friend, now there are tutorials on RUclips where I won't have to scrub ur toilets (just scrub my own at home) and get the same information minus doing it free for a year ( a pimp takes a person with a special talent mentally controls them .takes a percentage of there money.how am I growing by paying you to sit in your shop and build your shop brand?i meet great people and have great experiences regardless...so you see...zero benefits
I'm not tryna push buttons bro but as long as the term scratcher exists so will pimp 😏
INK TRAP series hmmm Oh i see so I I’m the pimp then you must be the scratcher no?
Ok so how would this work in your world
let’s say you decided to teach some young talent
Sooooo you’re going to take time out of your busy schedule of tattooing to teach them but you’re NOT a pimp so they can keep ALL the money?
you also have to clean the bedrooms after them and there clients because if you’re not willing to clean someone bathroom then you can’t really ask someone else to clean yours,
Ok so when do YOU get time to tattoo and who pays the rent, the license, the business rates, the electric bills, the water bills, and the phone bill, the special treatment waist collection not to mention up the cleaning products you will be cleaning there shit up with????
SIGN UP HERE GUYS THIS DUDE WILL GIVE YOU HIS HARD EARNED KNOWLEDGE FOR FREE AND CLEAN YOU SHIT coz he ain’t no pimp
@@TattooTesters Lmaaaooo No you silly I'm saying in this day and age these young artist DON'T NEED YOUR INFORMATION or wisdom so it's doesn't seem fair to carry out degrading petty jobs like scrubbing a bowl or working for free in exchange for knowledge that's free to obtain on the internet it's like selling bottled water lmaoo it's free in the first place...if this were 1990 I could understand your point....its ok your just having a " well back in my day "moment 😚
Mf tru
I think a big big part of landing an apprenticeship is showing dedication, confidence, yet being humble and being open minded enough for a mentor to even want to put the time and energy into teaching. People can sense if you have what it takes
8 minute video to tell us to put together a portfolio (hard copy & online) and make sure our social media presence is presentable. Yay.
The fact that its such a difficult prossess to become a liscensed tattoo artist i think is one of the things that attracts me to it
Shylo exactly 👍 me too
No such thibg as scratches, how the hell did old school become a tatto artist? Back in the day there was no such thing as apprentices.
Truth Seeker that’s right. They forgot how it was when they were starting. And now they saying “right way to learn” pathetic.
Thank you because I’d love to finally embrace my fate and become a tattooist.
So really-thank you.
I taught myself 7 years ago with a crappy kit, fruit, pig skin..... I only ever tattoo myself and my partner but I do it properly, cleanly and safely and I do a better job than alot of artwork I see on other people lol
Right way to start is by going to prison an practicing for commissary
Krazy k ha ha great advice but I’m not sure it will work for everyone
Amo kill someone then...lol
Fuck yeah that's how I starter too
Dude no joke! And those Bros in prison ( I've done time) can do way better work with a paperclip or a staple as a needle than all these "pros" in tattoo shops with multiple needles.
Lmao!!
Scratchers are the ORIGINAL tattoo artists and without scratchers there would NOT be any tattoos in the world.
What a load of rubbish, tattooing was always a craftsmanship and like all good craftsmanship’s it was skill that was handed down from one generation to the generation .....scratchers only started when tattoo supplies became readily available, before that you had to not only make your own machine but needles, colours, stencils etc.....so you wouldn’t have kitchen table tattooers back then,
@@TattooTesters You have a very high mis education of the history of tattooing :) Scratchers CREATED tattoos...sorry but thats the truth, learn the history :) The craftmanship only became available when companies started putting out better supplies..in fact ORIGINALLY there was ONLY "black" tattos...sorry but all these colored tats came LATER....as for "making own machines"...naw...before companies started making machines there was "poking" by hand....sorry but machines and colors came LATER and it was "scratchers" that started using those FIRST. :)
@@TheREALDJFruitLoops look I enjoy your banter, but I’m afraid on this occasion you are wrong ,
I’m not sure how far you want to take this, but colour tattoos are thought to have been around from ancient Roman time, but our first real evidence of colours are from 17th century in Japan and of course in Japan they have an even harder and stronger tradition than the Western version of apprenticeship, where you actually join a tattoo family working under your master or sensei, and ones you graduated (it can take up to 6 years) you actually lose your own name and will take on the new name given to you by a master, the name will normally include “Hori” which means “to carve” because lots of tattooist came from woodcarving backgrounds in the ENO period
@@TattooTesters Tattoos been around way longer than the 17th century :) You have ALOT of education on tattoos to still go :) And since you mentioned "Japan"...good to see you just mentioned the land of the "poke" tattoo artists lol Not really sure why you are bringing up various groups and time frames that have nothing to do with the ORIGINAL tattoo creators lol
@@TattooTesters "evidence of colours are from 17th century in Japan " aka 1600's lol News flash...tattoos been around since the Bc times...tattoos was being done in ONLY "Black" colors for 4,000 to 5,000 years BEFORE colors was EVER used.... ::drops mic::
Thank you Dan.
Billy here, in Northern California. Just subscribed to your channel, and I really appreciate your help! Looking forward to your future posts! Thanks again, Billy
I’m a scratcher lol
Had an “apprenticeship” quit because they weren’t teaching me shit. Learning under a fine artist who owns a gallery. Still searching for a better shop that will teach me, until then I will keep doing what I do best and improving upon my art and adding to my portfolio
Scratchers only scratch to raise enough money to cover the pricey apprenticeship costs. Out here in Vegas they charge between 5-20k for apprenticeship programs😔 there are no student loans or grants for that.
Zeke Owen discouraged me from getting into the industry as I apprenticed with him. I loved the old guy and he taught me a lot. And 20 years later I am breaking into the industry.
i always wanted to get into it but now im older and have a mortgage to pay for, i can not think of any ways to get into it other than scratching but i wouldnt want to do that... i would rather learn from some one that i could master what they teach and become better than them... since its not going to happen i just keep drawing and working and watch others in the industry... i do agree though dan and it was a good vid... thanks
Been a scratcher for a few months now
I'm sorry to say but you're NOT the norm. Most places here in VA that take apprentices just use them and often don't give them a license. I worked my ass off for 4 months, 56 hours a week, drawing up tattoos, making stencils, applying them, doing paper work, cleaning, coordinating artists to clients and putting up with a lot of shit only to find out I needed an apprentice license in order for my last 800 almost 900 hours to even count toward a license. Most shops I've seen are street shops, and most shops aren't taking apprentices period and most that do have no real interest in the craft beyond using it as a hustle or using their shops to wash money. Sorry but that's what I've seen and this isn't my first shop.
I'm fifteen years old... Dreaming of becoming a tattoo artist ... Just have to work towards my goal.. Dontit
Charmaine Abrahams let me know how it goes, in the same boat as you friend. Let’s sail
So how did it go cuz 😂
Thanks what you had said helped
I’m new to tattooing, I recently bought my very first machine, I haven’t used it on anything yet though. I’ve been drawing roughly for about 7 years or so, and made my portfolio. Yet there’s only one tattoo shop where I live and they wouldn’t give me an apprenticeship sadly. I would clean the bathrooms all day any day, just wanna learn. :(
Really good video, excellent advice. Straight forward and most importantly, nice.
Thank you so much! I startet making my instagram account but i also made my own portfolio!! I am already studying to become elementary school teacher, BUT! I have written to many tattooshops and visit them to show my portfolio to get advices and hopefully get a parttime job there to learn to tattoo! Im crossing my fingers!
Keep up the good work, I’m sure something will come along soon
i really like art.. and I'm scratching right now... not cuz of money but cuz i want to get better..
He Dan, what if you are already 31, with 2 kids.. how do i start then, i think i have talent, i love tattoos and tattooing all my life but never started it because i was scared to fail. i'm not anymore. BUT i can't do a whole year apprenticeship unpaid.. maybe 1 month but then the funds run out of course? so in my opinion i should start as a scratcher. I learned all there is about the right equipment, machines, disinfect, liquids and wipes, inks, chairs, tables, skins etc etc etc. Every time i see a video or talk to an artist they are so hatefull against scratchers. but i don't see any other way to start. It's discouraging, but i won't give up.
I had my left half sleeve done by a scratcher but I had been told good reviews by everyone who went to him and I went to a proper artist thankfully I'm happy with how it is now and I'm going for.my sleeve but if anyone out there hears of cheap prices for tattoos don't scrimp on art that will be in your skin for life
wow ur tattoo shop is beautiful !!!🖤❣️
If you want to get an apprenticeship make a portfolio with 10-20 solid pieces, ink lines and liquid acrylic or liquid water color. Get a light box and draw then lightly trace your design line it, shade and paint it. There’s your portfolio. If you have machines then also do 5 good tattoos and take pictures when they are healed. So 10-20 good paintings and 5 solid tattoos. Simple clean work. The paintings and tattoos Dont have to be huge. Just palm sized. Then go see about an apprenticeship.
Great insight, man, thank you! Can I ask you for some advice on my situation? I’ve always thought often of wanting to be a tattoo artist since I was like 15 (I’m 38 now), but A: I’m a mother of 8 (granted my youngest is almost in school, but it’s important to me to be a present mother as much as possible)
B: I’m also pursuing my music as much as I can find time for which already isn’t a lot (but I don’t have a job outside of motherhood)
C: I was a professional illustrator for many years and also love that and would love to tattoo for a day job.
I’ve heard that in order to have any success as a tattoo artist/apprentice it consumes your life and all of your time. I’m wondering if there’s any realistic way for me to balance all three of those important things in my life and still have a way to do a tattoo apprenticeship. Any advice or thoughts? Thank you!! Here’s a link to my channel where you’ll see some of my album art (and hear some of my music if you like😉)
ruclips.net/video/_5U73AK7J2Q/видео.html
Hi Diana! I’m a mother of two girls, 10 months old and 2 year old! I tried getting my self together with drawings and tattooing my legs and practice skin, but balancing being a mother and practice your craft is hard REALLY HARD! and I honestly think there’s no advice for us we just need to support each other and go for it!
Love this, Castro! And agreed!! Let’s get it how we can! 😉🤜🤛 Thank you!!
Scratcher for 1year. Building my portfolio right now and planning to work on shops.
i hate to disappoint you or any professionals out there but I am always going to be a 'scratcher' and have no intention of doing an apprenticeship....ever... I'm 47 years old so I highly doubt anyone would give me one...but... before you get upset and angry at me. I don't intend to provide tattooing 'services' either. I'm only learning tattooing for _myself_ and as a hobby. To tattoo my OWN skin or my friends who want me to and know exactly that I'm not a professional. If I ever tattoo a friend (haven't done so at this stage), it would only be after fully explaining to them all my shortfalls and all the benefits of going to a professional.
ha ha you don't disappoint me at all, and I would defiantly give someone who's only 47 an apprenticeship as I'm only 48 myself lol, I think I have learned more in my last 8 years than I did in my pervious 40 years, and I'm sorry to disappoint YOU, I don't think tattooing your self makes you a scratcher, I think at worst it makes you a creative self harmer lol WELCOME to the club, and please make sure you do it safely.....
@@TattooTesters CHEERS!
I started off as a scratcher not many shops around me and the ones that are wouldn’t take me in and I had too much of a fire inside of me to become a artist so I wasn’t giving up cuz they didn’t believe in me I know I did and had to go the wrong route but it made me who I am from a scratcher to a liscend artist owning my own studio I guess I had the last laugh because those shops I tried to appreciate too are all closed now and there’s me still surviving
I like that tunnel vision. How long did u scratch before owning shop?
@@jah12879 honestly I would say I've only scratched for about a year not knowing what I was doing and making mistakes here and there shakey lines and blowouts not sanitary at all would tattoo anywhere u asked me as long I got to tattoo than I just wanted to make it in this industry so about a year in I decided and told myself I'm gona do this n put my all into it and made a big investment in myself I said fuck ebay and bought close to 4k in top of the line suplies and made a extra room I had at home a permanent studio that's where the scratching stoped honestly I became and still am all about sanitization and cross contaminating that's fucking key and I did thouseands of hrs of research and and watched countless videos attended a couple seminars and improved craft soo much the 1st year at tattooing out my home studio was kind of slow growing my clientele had to do hella free tatts for buddies to get my name out there but the work was good clean legible just what they asked for I'd say a year in things got pretty much consistent got a name for myself in my state you dont need to have a license to tattoo or own a shop but I did want to claim taxes as it became my full time job and I wanted to do conventions and both require license I did it the expensive way went to my city hall and filled out all the paper work and paid close to 9k for the entire process got my body modification license and business license luckily my father is in the real estate and construction business and gave me a storefront me and my little brother updated everything in a couple months been dishing out pain for about 3years now at the shop the neighborhood is going threw gentrification as of now but its actually helping out of towners are moving in and it became a go to destination so prices went up lol I still have my home studio to this day as its actually realy nice and alot better than many shops I've been too lol that just shows not all home artist are scratchers I was producing work out my home studio that was way better than many shops aswell I'm not trying to brag as I'm a humble person but I'm not blind aswell and know good art when I see it and know when something is total shit sorry for the long response if you believe in yourself go for it bud I took a leap of faith and knew I was gona make it i was too determined i wasnt going to fail
This was an awesome read. Appreciate the long response lol i feel I found my calling I love art always have but stopped drawing about a year ago. Gunna get back into it and put my all into it
I'm Going to 💯% agree with you, & the 50% here as well. @Ace Artdepot.You're Correct⭐
You made some very valid points.
I believe the difference between a "scratcher" and a real tattooing artists are 2 different things first of all, in other words,.. you shit? Or get off the pot!? Your either Good at what you're doing, & take your Tattooing seriously & everything that goes with it? 0R ..you sit around literally scratching people up in your living room because you're not really an artist, and don't take your work seriously# And I really like how you have taken the ranes into your own hands and decided to not take the apprenticeship program. Your reasoning made complete sense then some. I appreciate how you told us the outlet you took, and what you did anyway to become successful and you are obviously very well on your way.!! WITHOUT going through any "apprenticeship program". Being a very independent self taught artist myself , drawing since I could walk, tattooing just naturally comes simple to me.
IT IS NOT as difficult as some people may lead it to be.
Yes there is a lot to know,.. but let's be honest, people been tattooing people since the dawn of time. LoL
Its NOT a "sacred practice" Nor is it really gonna harm anyone if you learn to take the right steps. Of course there's precautions. But it is a FACT take it from me, and many others like yourself who are famous and very well known artists in different states as well countries who have started a very successful business right out of their cave. lol
Truth be told. I'm not against the Apprenticeship program. ..iF your going through someone Legit, and have thousands of dollars to just go blow? and may wanna learn how to tattoo better as an individual? Hey GREAT! But to be called out for your artwork you do from your home and "titled a scratcher" lol. Is wrong.
There's ART no matter where you get your tattoo done, or by whom.
Tattooing will continue no matter what for the rest of the time on earth. And No,.. the "tattooing industry will Never be "shut down" £ver. Lmao. There will be other simpler ways of getting tattoos in the future of course there already is. But as far as inking up your body? That is here to stay for £ternity.
We learn something new every day if were all willing to be open minded and just learn. I happen to have many other skills and Hobbies I'm good at without any special schooling or "apprenticeship program" that no one's taught me and I've become very successful from those as well.
People wanna call themselves "scratcher" ? LoL. Guess what? that's definitely not me, who I am, or how i roll.
Most of these tattoo instructors seem to want a piece of the pie $$$ so they're telling you "Better join my Apprenticeship program or else!"
Naw.. hell I could easily become a tattooing artist instructor if I wanted to , and have people learning from my own "Apprenticeship program" lol just sayn? I get asked questions all the time about tattooing and granted knowledge is power. So I help out with free advice when ever I can
because I'm a nice fuk'n guy. lol
Thank You for writing what you did Ace.
Sincerely Tj
Im what you call a scratcher ... sadly I come to realize that tattooing is or could have been my calling I’m 31 now and I feel that at this point I’m to old to start and apprenticeship. Plus I have 3 small kids that take up most of my time. I mainly work on myself and I genuinely love it .
I don’t think you are too old at all. I’m almost 34 and just started my apprenticeship. You are NEVER too old to pursue your passion.
You’re never too old to get into tattooing. I’m 48 and I would Love to get into tattooing. My problem is that I work 60us hours a week and too tired on the weekends. Plus lacking supplies. I really do wish you the very best.
Than maybe just maybe, make it more accessible to become an artist. In the netherlands there are only 1600 licensed tattooshops out of those I personally went to at least 30 of them. None, I mean none would even take any apprentices or had waiting lists for over 5 years.
Don't know about the rest of them since they are over 200 kilometers away from where I live.
Not even if I was the one working for free, and/or only watched them at work. Here in the Netherlands, you have to pay at least an 800 euro, a non refundable deposit to be considered to get an apprenticeship at the majority of shops.
And guess what you get; a we will call you, at best.
So how do you even get there if none will take any apprentices, you have to become a scratcher since the industry here is not welcoming to new blood. Also, there are ways to learn on your own, being a scratcher first and then become legit and get a license.
Harder for sure but if left to your own devices what are you supposed to do...???
Only way to learn is practice not apprentice
Not sure how you think tattooing got started but there were definitely no regulations until after colonization happened and this mindset was first introduced. Indigenous hand poking has been around a lot longer than your machines and we used to use bone, quill, all kinds of different materials that today would be considered unsanitary or unsafe practice to use. Call me a scratcher but with practice comes progress and my work is getting better the more I do it. Everyone has to learn, everyone is going to start out not great at first but get better over time with practice. Just start on fake skins and teach people that instead of telling people they just shouldn’t do it altogether. As long as protocols for cleanliness and sanitization are being followed I don’t think it really matters if you do it at home or in a shop.
Pros and cons to both in my eyes
I think it depends on where you are, also. I would love to have a traditional apprenticeship, however they are highly discouraged, and a liability here. The supportive tattooists here offer advice and send you on your way. I am absolutely willing to "pay my dues" however here, the only available apprenticeships are incredibly expensive, and meant to discourage.
that timelapse at the begining of this video was a nice way to transition into the video
Xavier Price thanks
Stellar advice! Thanks chief
Thank you for this video! I am a scratcher, future shop owner! I don’t know if I will want an apprenticeship but in the meantime i am doing all the research I can
I live on a small island Seychelles 🇸🇨, and there are like 8 tattoo artists everyone of them tattoo’s from home and I could ask them for advice but apprenticeship aint really an option there is one licensed shop but the dude has the worst tattoo on the island
Thank you for getting back to me Dan but how do I get into tattoos
Thank you for being so clear and kind in your advice-giving, there are some videos out there about finding an apprenticeship and joining the tattoo world that makes the whole process very intimidating. I've seen in other videos about apprenticeships that you are supposed to visit the shop with the artist you want to learn from frequently, hang out and draw there, build relationships, etc. Is that also true? I feel like that would be just me being an inconvenience. Also, would you recommend trying to learn a bit on your own with fake skins/pig skins/oranges while looking for an apprenticeship? I see you are still responding to comments here, so I'm shooting my shot in hopes of some one-to-one information! Regardless, thanks again for the videos and the information in the comments!
your welcome I'm here to help so I'm glad you find my videos helpful, yes defiantly go build a relationship with the people in your local tattoo shop, IF YOU CAN, but that's a lot easier said than done, a natural way is getting tattooed by the artist you admire, and see if there's some kind of connection there, to me it shows you are in to tattoos and the shop, so it's a good start goes a long way, I always end up talking a lot to my clients, yes by all means get some fake skin and practice but fake skin is just fake skin so don't expect to learn to much, so just have fun with it, and forget about pig's and oranges unless your cooking dinner lol......HOWEVER the things you absolutely should do
DREAW everyday at least a couple of hours
LEARN as much about tattooing and its history as possible by
READING as many books about tattooing as you can and
WATCHING as many programs as you can
after 32 years of tattooing is STILL do this every single day, and this will give you an strong advantage when looking for a job,
please let me know if you find this helpful, and if there's anything else I can help with
Thank you!
thank for all the advices!
Good video but it had almost no information about details of getting an apprenticeship. What do you look for in an apprentice's personality and looks? What kind of details are good and bad for an apprentice's CV/résumé? Should you keep trying to apply if you get blown off? What kind of art is looked for in a portfolio? How big of a portfolio is big enough or too big?
Mate, youre a bloody legend. For anyone here learning tattooing, do not watch videos from that Penny Black guy, he's quite bitter. Dan is the man!
Made Cham thank you 🙏
Getting an apprenticeship is not hard ... proceeds to explain that getting it is really hard.Scratch for a year, build up your portfolio then apply
Thankz man u explained it very well
Do you have any advice, hints or tips on what I should and can do?
For a portfolio, i saw different opinions on the quantity of drawings you should put in there. I know that you should present varying styles but im afraid that i have either to much or to less in it. What’s your opinion on that?
I guess I'm a scratcher. I'm licensed and certification certified. I tattoo from home. I went to some local shops and immediately gotten turn down and came in with a drawing portfolio to show my potential.
I don’t think you are a scratcher if you are licensed and certified, I’m guessing you can’t get certified without being insured, and that’s really where the definition goes between professional and scratcher, and professional tattooist is licensed and insured and is therefore inspected and can be held accountable for any wrongdoing, you get tattooed by a scratcher and things go wrong well though luck, you haven’t got a leg to stand on (hopefully not due to gangrene)
BIG DIFFERENCE....
@@TattooTesters Thanks, I guess I just gotta take my time and not rush.
@@tevisfredericks3822 absolutely mate, my point is, you got to work safe and responsibly, of course for you clients but also for you and your family, things can go wrong (and to no fault of your own) and you better have everything ( license, insurance) in place if they do
Much respect Dan ✊
Before I go to university finally for my 5 year course in digital art and animation with a 2 year interior design add on, my dad has came up with the idea that u should practice tattooing for my future, cv, backup plan or whatever. The thing is I literally can't find a single video telling me how to begin practicing with the physical instrument and what skins are best ect. It's so frustrating.
Tatooing is a lifestyle
hello dan I would love to be a tattoo artist i do a lot of nail art i am 57 is that to old do you think to be a tattoo artist could i get a apprenticeship i hope to hear from you soon
Hi christina grimwood I don’t think your ever to old to do anything
Of course you will have some challenges that a 20 year old wouldn’t but you will also have some advantages
I’d say just do it follow your dreams you only live once
The problem i see is two fold. Most tattoo artists i know who went for apprenticeship had a very hard time finding one that would accept them.
If you are looking for a skilled studio to take you under their wings it's extremely slim pickings especially in smaller cities. For example a very skilled tattooist will be booked up day and night and not have time to stop and teach a apprentice full time.
The vast majority of apprenticeships in my state make the student a slave that just cleans after the entire shop with zero pay and maybe lets them watch others tattoo. A huge part of improving your skills as an artist requires you to actually tattoo and be taught the basics up to specific techniques.
You can get an apprenticeship at a shop that barely gets any clients and they will have the time but thats not the best artist.
Other ussue is most people have a different definitions of Scratcher.
Good Video !
I can relate in the way I've gone through two works. Got two masters, and contemplating the years to come, I decided to try to finally do what I wanted to do since i was 15 : Tattooing.
Thing is, I got charges, I have to live, and therefore, how am I supposed to learn by apprenticeship ? I even discovered that shops try to ask you for money in addition to the free work you already do.
That is juste not possible. At all. In other sectors, you can earn some money to survive while you learn and work. Here, I should work for free and even pay for it while it lasts ? How is this even considerable ?
MacBait You could "kind of" look at it like going to college. College tuition is outrageous. Young people spend 4 years of their life, getting in debt for, or spending outright, over a hundred thousand dollars for an education, that very often DOES NOT guarantee a well paying job in the end. If you truly have the artistic talent, and I mean REALLY, without a doubt, are a good and talented artist, AND you really like tattoos, and want to be a tattoo artist, I would encourage you to "take the plunge". Sacrifice some of your time, effort, (and money if you have to), because if you REALLY have talent, within a few short years, you will basically be able to "write your own ticket"! I know a few tattoo artists, who only work a few hours a day, make their own schedules, live a pretty stress free life, and they're making more TAX FREE money than talented construction workers and builders I know !! I have been a professional artist, off and on, for decades. I went to one of the most prestigious Art Colleges in the Country, on a merit scholarship, and I won EVERY award that school had to offer. There is NO question about my talent, in fact I have some of my own, original art on the walls of my house, and people who see it, who don't really know me, often do not believe that I DID THAT, until I show them my studio and my portfolio. I have been told, by SO MANY people that I should get into tattooing, but the funny thing is, I don't really like tattoos !!! Obviously, I can appreciate, the talent and craftsmanship of a good tattoo, and I have seen some of them that are absolutely stunning, I just don't want that on my body, BUT, obviously, OTHERS DO, and they're willing to spend good money on getting it done. After decades of struggling in a changing industry (computer artists have replaced much of what I USED TO do), I have finally decided to put my portfolio together and apply for an apprenticeship. It's gonna cost me some time and maybe some money, but if it works out, I'll have a job that I can do, pretty much up to the day I die from old age, making pretty good money too. If you are ambitious, and you REALLY want to do this, don't waste years, or decades of your life, like I did, chasing your tail. DO IT!! Make the commitment. If you really have the talent, you can make twice the money of the average person, working only HALF the time. Good luck to you !! Wish me luck too !!!
Soooo all the 1st tattooers were scratchers is what you’re telling me. . It just sounds like a way for “tattoo artists” to belittle someone to call them less. There’s tons of licensed tattooers that tattoo like shit.
No that’s not what I’m saying.....a scratcher is a scratcher...!!! What’s the definition of a scratcher? It’s someone working from there own or someone else’s house unlicensed and with no insurance, therefore putting not only themselves at risk but also there clients, it’s not “tattoo artist” belittling anyone...and when you have unlicensed people operating within an industry it puts the whole industry at risk....
anyone operating within a shop has to have at least a license public liability insurance and can therefore be held accountable for their actions and it offers the client a little safety for the client and the artists....if customer chooses a shit tattooist ....well that’s up to them.....you can’t fix stupid
The ole Portfolio, a professional art portfolio too, so, one is just starting out, they want to learn to tattoo, I guess technically they could practice on themself... But I am assuming a professional shop, wants hand drawn art, makes sense. BUT I guess this where the talent breaks down, I have tattoos, not a lot, but I remember getting a biohazard tattoo, and asking the artist if he could tattoo one for me, he says is it in the portfolio stand, i take a look, an there were none, anyhow, I had to basically ask him if he could just design one for me, He did, and it is a great tattoo, but it was an odd experience; he seemed perlexed or maybe didnt want to bother with designing one, . I notice now, the art is rather copy and paste from a computer, to a printer to transfer paper, to the persons body, and off one goes, trace, color or not, and done,,, so then maybe the debate should be, does one need a portfolio of hand drawn art, or just the ability to show they don't have shaky hands and know how to wash their own ass on a daily basis. Not talking about the technical aspects of knowing what a tattoo gun is, how to use it, clean it etc. And I use to be into photography, and i think the difference in knowing how a camera works, the difference in film vs digital, is important, BUT, not necessarily detrimental to know the basics of film, if you want to do digital. An to not spend money on a class room, when RUclips is free information. Versus, wanting to learn from someone you admire and paying that person to teach you their method.
Somehing I don't like about the information you present us is we have to be an active member in social media. I don't know. Isn't a virtual portfolio enough?
Well said 👍 Dealing with prospective apprentices with no clue, is the bane of my life 🙄
Secret Ink Tattoo Studio Ha Ha I feel your pain
This is just a commercial for a tattoo studio, some people are working amazing tattoos out of their pleasure and do not want their tattoo to be a lifetime profession, you call them as you want. If you live from it, pay taxes and do not cough. You are so ...........
Dejan Radusinovic im sorry Mr Raddusinovic but you’re WRONG, if this was as you claim is a commercial it a pretty crap one, I made this video for one reason and ONE REASON ONLY...!!! after 30 years i still and probably more than ever LOVE and DEEPLY CARE about my profession and our culture that is tattooing, and unlike a lot of people I actually want new artists to succeed to become amazing tattooist (the RIGHT way with the RIGHT skills)
Daan you want new artists to succeed, okay, but who says that your way is right, you? Have you set up a free tutorial on how to make tattoo's better? You have great color works, I do not like the rest and I have a lot better tat master's, but that's my opinion and who cares about it. I will not say that you are irresponsible, insufficiently trained for this or that I call you a bad name. Yes, u r just angry and upset as you say! Do not condemn or underestimate others. A lot of greetings and I hope for some interesting tattoo with tips and explanations , much can be learned from you!
So how do you build a portfolio, without first being a scratcher, to get an apprenticeship?
The way we do it with our apprentices, first we get them to draw and I mean DRAW ALOT , then we get them to tattoo them self supervised and then tattoo them self’s unsupervised and only then will we let them lose on friends and family. But I rather see a book full of amazing tattoo designs than a book full of shit home made tattoos, the person with the drawings are much more likely to get a job.
Im scratching myself lmao once i get the basics down I’ll look into getting an apprenticeship even tho there is only a few shops around and im already busy working full time to pay for my bills lol
So I’m in a shop. I have no license. I’m supposed to be an apprentice. I’ve been tattooing for 3 months and have already done a 12 hour session. My question to you is should I be allowed to tattoo without a license in a shop? And if I get the department number of the shop does the health department contact the shop for them to approve it?
Approve my license application I mean.
Hi Rotii, I'm not sure where in the world you are? one of the biggest problems in the professional tattoo industry is a lack of coherence in the rules, not just between countries but even from Borough to Borough here in the UK and State to State in the US and Europe is in an even bigger mess, so here's how crazy it is, IF you where my apprentice in my first shop you would be required to obtain your own license before working, however, if you were working in my second shop, you wouldn't have your own license but you would be working under my license BUT you would have to register with Special Treatment, and in my third shop EVERYONE works under my license and it's my responsibility to keep records registered all my employees, so as you see there is no easy answer to your question, the first thing you need to do is talk to the owner of the shop, ask them what license you are working under, I wouldn't talk to the department of health before clearing this with the shop first, and yes the Department of Health will always contact the shop to verify you do indeed work there, sorry I couldn't give you a more straight answer but I hope this helps 👍
Also, you seem to be COMPLETELY ignoring the FACT that nowadys there are such HIGH QUALITY videos on YT, by professionals, that arguably, provide BETTER training than a lot of apprenticeships training!!! So theoretically a lot of us 'scratchers' are actually getting better education that many so called _proper_ apprentices!
^ Comment for algorithm + 👍 'd
#Paxus Rating: ☆☆☆
I will have to strongly disagree here, you can learn a lot on youtube, about technique, BUT put these artist in one of my busy London tattoo studios and watch them crumble, there's a reason why doctors and nurses have to train (like an apprentice) in Hospitals doing and after meds school, there are things you can only learn practically on the shop floor and one to one whit your teacher......RUclips videos can never be better than one to one teaching, and you seem to completely ignoring the FACT that my apprentices ALSO watch these videos on top of there training!!!
@@TattooTesters Well, i'm hardly going to argue with a professional but not sure if you realise that i'm talking about the shops that use their apprentices as gofers (slaves) and barely teach them anything.... Not like you - i imagine your apprentices get an awesome education!
Thank you I've learnt a LOT from this 🙏🏻
llinos davies I’m so glad 👍 only trying to help
Dan Gold I'd move to your city to apprentice under you any day bro.
TucsonRican AZ well thank you, we look after our apprentices and they become very successful
Man, expecting to get an apprenticeship without a portfolio, smh
The "whole" of your video is contradicting... You start off by Stating that the oldtimers don't want it to change but it's a changing industry... Then you say the more talented people that get into the industry the better...
Yet there are obviously not enough shops for For all the new apprenticeships... So Truly aspiring artist have to resort to Home tattoos on themselves and willing participants to gain confidence and Experience. To hopefully, Be good enough to get an apprenticeship somewhere... ☺☺
Awesome vid 👌🏻
its funny There's some similarities to pro wrestling : Its very hard to get into and generally its about hanging around however there's backyard wrestling and the lower tier indy promotions that people do as amateurs the wrestlers are mostly in awful shape lack any skill and the shows are badly run and dangerous But Similarly while its discouraged some backyard wrestlers have gone on to fame such as CM Punk and the hardys. much like tattooing wrestling is self regulated and you can definitely die if you mess it up or get it all banned.
Just go to a school. It'll get you *indisputably* properly trained in health & safety, get training from people who will actually (gasp!) TEACH you the proper skills and forms, about equipment, inks, the history of tattooing, ANATOMY (nerves, bones, ligaments, etc.) and make you pass *actual* TESTS to make sure you know what you're doing, and if you're crap at it, you'll KNOW that you're crap and choose a new carreer path.
You can hire a solid, experienced artist to teach you *privately* and study under *them* for recommended amount of time, ask them mentor you, to advise you on how to make contacts, etc.
Better than wasting your time and money to sweep up, fetch coffee for ages, just to get a few crumbs of learning now and again from someone you might be better than, it's stupid.
Couldn’t disagree more.....in my opinion, and most established tattooist TATTOO SCHOOL’s are there for one reason and one reason only, TO TAKE YOUR MONEY....it’s a business, think about who’s going to care more about you, a school who’s already got your £££ or $$$ or someone like me who will let you work in my shop and risking my Reputation on you and even when you have left the shop you still me using my name ???
where will you Learn mower at a school (where’s the teachers coming from) in (gasp!) two weeks???
or under one of my two year apprenticeships I have more than 30 years experience I have gone though it ALL from opening up 5 shops winning untold awards around the world to losing every thing and then building it all up again to now having a team of 15 artists and three shops I got more than 25 different qualifications in hygiene
Plus you get access to ALL my team and all of my artists, most with 10-12 years experience, and let’s be clear YOU DONT CLEAN OUR CARS OR DO OUR SHOPPING OR WALK OUR DOGS.....everything in those two years are about tattooing and are designed to make you the best tattooist you can possibly be, and if I thought you wasn’t better than me or at least COULD be better than me you would never even start.....just because someone is better than me artistically doesn’t mean I can’t teach them.....I was better than my master (or at least I became better) but he still thought me a ton of stuff and that’s how it should be, every generation should stand on the shoulders of the previous one....it’s called Evolution
@@TattooTesters That's all changing now. For one thing, due to popular demand, the schools are getting better. They're becoming even more regulated than shops have to be, and due to *those* regulations, it would actually *enhance* someone's knowledge of how to keep people safe and hone their fundamental skills, as well.
Two weeks? I don't think so. Soon, it'll be no different than going to art school, you have to earn your certificate if you want to graduate, and when you graduate you actually know your shit.
For *everybody* experience comes with time, but nowadays the up-and-comers seem to do okay making their coin by giving people epic tatts for free, and using them as advertising on their social media.
In reality, people need NEITHER an apprenticeship OR art education of any kind if they want a license, anyway.
It's DISGUSTING, but it's really just a courtesy. It's their unconscionable right, I guess.
Sooner than later it'll be, "You can shove your ego and reputation, old man!", lol.
Me? I'll go by someone's work that I've seen on somebody else, and if they've been licensed, their space gone through thorough health and safety checks, and their work kicks ass, then I don't care who they've tattooed under.
Now that getting tattooed is one of the LEAST edgy things to do anymore, "normies" want to have "positive" educational experiences, I guess.
I've been a collector for slmost 40 years. Growing up, my best friend was an old sailor who was born in 1900.
The day he joined the Navy in 19-freakin-17, he went out and got 17 tattoos, and collected until he ran out of great-grandchildren. II've literally seen the DAWN of "modern" tattoo culture, from old duffers in the military, to biker gangs, to Punk, to 90's tribal/hot rods to NOW, so I'm coming at it from the perspective of someone who has seen literally EVERY trend, law, zoning rule, health code, MORE health codes, even MORE health codes, and art trends than a lot of folks have.
The "counterculture" now is soft as butter, and if you no longer need an apprenticeship to be competitive, won't that put those resistant to change out to starve? THAT would suck!
Your SO wrong.....I’m ALL FOR A a formal education when it comes to tattooing,
ANYTHING to keep the tattoo culture moving forward, but a little known fact I was approached by a “school” in Italy and offered a HUGE amount of money
to run and teach tattooing so I know this industry a little better than most, let me tell you if you think these schools have the pupils best interest at heart, you’re disillusioned, obviously I turned it down I love tattooing more than money, they are a business first and foremost it’s about making money, more students though the door = more money end off....€4000 that’s roughly $4857 for two weeks.....proof me wrong show me the school that do differently, because I can’t find one, is the apprenticeship old fashioned and outdated? NO WAY Space X, Tesla are many other companies are now preferring a apprenticeships to formal education, even Doctors have to train in the field at hospitals and A&E, because when it comes to working with people and bodies some things you just can’t teach in a school or university, ones a proper tattoo school that focuses on hygiene, infection and cross contamination control combined with practical experience in a shop I will be all over it, until then apprenticeship wins hands down,
I'm skeptical of your assessment of scratching. Who would be responsible for caring if my DIY tattoo went wrong? We've all seen botched tattoos online and there is never anyone running to congress, demanding regulation.
I've gotten several tattoos in friends homes and have many other friends who do the same thing on a regular basis and they all take proper precautions and there's never been an issue. I have pondered this issue over and over and I have not heard a good reason for gatekeeping the art. It all just feels like capitalism gone awry. The kind of person who gives crappy tattoos in a dirty environment is the kind of person who's naturally going to be critiqued by a lot of people for a lot of other areas of their life as well.
I have been shot down by every shop in my town for an apprenticeship. Unless I'm a 20 year old girl with big boobs, or somebody's brother in law, nobody will look at your portfolio. I started working with other frustrated scratchers who have some real talent. I guess it's not about what you know but who.
Well if he comes to u for a appreciaship that means he coming to you to learn how to tattoo right..so you want portfolio that means he or she was scratching or whatever you call it. But you hate that.. don't make no sense...so do you want them to scratch down in the basement and get a portfolio for you..the whole propose of a appreciaship is to learn. And if you apply for a appreciaship you shouldn't have a portfolio or anything. Like if I hired a laborer and ask him before he starts hey I need you to build a set of stairs and when he can't. We'll if u can't build a set of stairs I don't need you. So the whole point is you can't expect a laborer to build a set of stairs becuz he a laborer just like a appreciaship is for learning to tattoo.. And if you got a couple of albums full of pics I guess u wouldn't have any need to be in a appreciaship
When he says portfolio, pretty sure he means a book of your art, not necessarily tattoos
Kitchen Magician > Scratcher
U gotta pay ur dues that's how I feel.
Look man in Bulgaria it is not that easy to find someone to show you all the "secrets" in tattooing. Well, I found and guess what. The guy robbed me 1500 Euro and took all my machines and tattoo suplies! So now im a "scratcher" you call it. And all of that just to get some money for a good tattoo shop because i know it, i see it that i am good at it! :) So call it whatever you want but you gonna meet me in few years I promise!
Some of the best tattoo artists work from their home.. wat ur saying is just ur opinion the truth is it's not that hard to become a tattoo artist at ur own home
I agree, as a principal there’s is nothing wrong with having a fully licensed studio at the same place as where you are live, HOWEVER I wouldn’t get tattooed in someones kitchen by someone who has NO prior training other than a few RUclips videos, with NO health license, NO health inspections and NO insurance to cover me if things should go wrong.....would you?
you are right it’s no that hard to do tattoos in your own home, but it IS hard to do tattoos in your own home SAFELY..!!! and yes it is just my opinion, the opinion from someone who has been tattooing for 32 years AND started at home before doing a really rubbish abusive apprenticeship with some bikers, and someone who has trained some of the best tattoo artists in the world.....and it’s just advice it’s up to you if you take it or leave it, 😊
Would if some said I don’t give a Fuck
& they’ll do what a man gotta do to feed
His family. Apprenticeship is impossible to get cause it don’t make sense to help some that could possibly take ther job
Its not really like that where im at you got yo know someone or be one of "Them" it sounds good though lol
It mean swear to the good lord on your mom you never scratched!
What if your portfolio is yourself..... like go in as a scratcher with a self blasted body suit is kinda what im going for rn i cant draw but im a damn good tattoo artist im not interested in drawing im interested in tattooing
ha ha that could work, I don't know if you are aware of Ducan X or Mr X as he calls him self, but many moons ago he came in to our shop like that and he ended up learning and tattooing in our shop, look him up he's an amazing artist, and good luck with you approach I hope it works
A little bit of a whining vlog, most of the old school tattoo artist are arrogant as shit. And they don’t want to share their trade secrets. Unfortunately for them there is internet and the so called ‘’secrets’’ are out there. Of course it is better to learn from an good artist, but apprentice spots are rare. You have to accept that there will be more and more scratchers, because the tattoo world is like a very closed circle, hard to get in to. So if you are a scratcher, please use pigskin or fake skin, ask on the internet for advice and only start on people if you are really sure of yourself.
always have a fake social meda account with your real name and a real account with your fake name - always
Calling someone a scratcher is like calling someone a mudblood 😂
Truebrouce lol 😂😂😂
I’ve tattooed st home and owed shops and don’t class people scratchers unless they are I tattoo at home cause of all the fucking drama in tattoo shops now days to many tattoo shops and to many ducking kids that don’t know ther ass from ther head it’s like face book it’s all fucking drama queens
I've had the misfortune to get tatted by garbage scratchers working in tattoo shop !!!
I admire real tattoo artists, but there are too many scratchers who can't tattoo and give tattoo artists a very bad name !!!
Sadly I have to agree with you,
I was a scratcher... I was too eager
Didn't you get into tattooing by just plagiarising other peoples designs...?
Adami Salami no lol
hhaaaaa....plagiarising machines?
Respect your view you can advise as you do buddy but you cannot teach art you show someone how to hold a brush tattooing is deeper and way beyond your views it 1000s of years old it's a culture arts a passion not a rule or a money making spin if people want your art be great full and appreciate others your a want to be ruler of art and turn art in to an industry
Mark Greasley NOW you’re talking, I totally agree TATTOOING HAS TO BE A PASSION OR EVEN A LOVE, like you say you have to feel it, but that’s why I believe (the craftsmanship part) of tattooing should be taught so we can honour the culture and the masters that came before us and push the art form to the next level (just my opinion)