As someone new to tattooing, but with a strong drawing background, I feel like realism tattoos would not be all that difficult. I practiced tattoo shading for the first time this week and I was able to get the tones that I wanted. Personally, it seems more challenging to be able to tattoo solid clean lines found in more traditional work.
@Yeehaw it's just another type of difficulty, I've always agreed with this "Mike Kim" guy, to me it's always been easier to do "simple" realism tattoos rather than "simple traditional" stuff
you’re incredible for someone trying to get into the industry, i was just about giving up and then i found you and your wife on here and you’re both amazing and so motivational!! thankyou both!!x
Even your explanations were "realistic", i really missed your videos and this is an honest and cristal clear explanation, it really helps a lot. Please keep on doing them!
Thank you for your videos. I'm learning myself, but still looking for someone that will help me along the way! This was very helpful and I love your work!
Anrijs, your videos are amazing!! It would really help that you link in the description other videos that you mention. So that we can go there quickly instead of having to look for them through your channel. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!! love from argentina
hey. thanks for the message, I will try to do that. but,I don't really have hundreds of videos here, if you are familiar with my channel theres only about 40 videos, that's not too much to check and find what you are looking to. from the picture and name you can find in seconds any video you need.
ive been following you for a couple of months now. im an apprentice in belgium who is really looking up to your work. i hope someday to achieve a level wich is half as good as you are. and i have a left leg without ink wich is reserved for one of your pieces!
this is one of best video and tips i watch , much respect for you sir .thank you. so many good tips and advice i know in you.im a newbie tattoo artist from phillipines..godbless
you know, im tattoo artist and i think im good i can show to someone if he want.. but im still watching cuz is fucking good maan :D i know this information but still watching gj bro gj!
Awesome video! Thank you! I have been tattooing with coil machines and rotary machines, and just recently purchased a pen machine. The next step that I would like to try is using bugpins I have a mainly used regular #12 curved mags. Any tips for using bugpins? I see a lot of really smooth shading with bugpins, almost looks like airbrush. Thank you for any feedback that you can give me. You are awesome man!
some artists just work softer. needle will not make airbrush effect. for some bug pins will make work easier, for other's harder. I believe if you can do really soft work with #8 needles, you will be able to do it with #12 too. or other way around . best will be to just buy one pack and try out, not much to say about it. I have separate video where I go through needle setup what I use .
Anrijs Straume Tattoo Thanks for the fast response! What you are saying completely makes sense. I will just have to give them a try. Thanks again! Please keep making videos! They are awesome and inspire me to continue on working to become better🍻😁👍
well done ..keep the excellent work of educating beginners ..though realism has no enough longertivity on the body ...especially realism with layering and soft colors..too many examples of awesome tattoos posted new superb and after 2 years are flat ..but anyway i believe also that any style is super and the love of the craft is the key to stay mativated and allways update the techniques //
Anrijs, I love you're videos! The tech advice and the reviews are badass. I have a really lame question. Where do you get the background music for some of your videos?
Your videos are so helpful. i love you and your wife yall are awesome. You guys Inspire so much in tattoo culture. :* mawh love you guys! great video! :)
Me encanta tu trabajo estaba leyendo tu entrevista y quería saber como podía comunicarme con vos .. tenemos mucho en común y me re siento inspirado por vos y tu trabajo quisiera conocerte en persona algún día sería mi sueño desde ya muchas gracias por tu trabajo y experiencia
thank you man , i was trying to do an owl tattoo on fake skin but it has so much details it drives me insane , mby i will try another one with a better reference
Prob the skull is the perfect tattoo to try out realisim I think maybe something that you tattoo that you are really good at like say you do really good animals with lines like a tiger I’m good at tigers I would try something like that maybe I’m wrong but something you do well try to do it in realism a skull is prob the best cause if you mess up it’s really easy to fix even if you have to put lines in it wen you are done if it looks that bad easy fix good video as always
What about packing white in the way you pack in the heavy larger fields of white. You use a magnum and brush in like black or you have a better technique?
Hi Anrijs, first of all, love your videos. Now the question, I'm a beginer and a serious problem happens to me everytime I try realism. Or simple shading sometimes too: How did you keep on tattooing when the client skin turns totally irritated after the first two minutes and you can't see how light or dark it turned out? By the way, sorry for my english if there are any mistakes (I'm from Spain)
Sorry for the dumb question man,it’s necessary to know how to draw realism ( in paper ) for tattoo realism? I’m asking because if the game of realism is more about shading and dark/light point,it is really necessary?
You think is mather the tattoo machine to tattoo realism? I want to change the inkjecta with cheyenne pen, for you pls can i ask how is best inkjecta or pen?
Hi Anrijs, First of all, thank you for this video and all the others. I appreciate your tips :). I would like to know one thing. Would your recommand to make very light lines on the skin to first set the design on it, or do you think it is better to work like a "print machine", I mean working straight from a point to another and not placing the design first? I'm a beginner, and the only realistic design I made so far is a realistic rose in balck and grey. I first placed the outlines in a veeeery light greywash, and then I was feeling secure that the stencil will not fade away because of my hands wipping the tattoo during the session. Anyway, I am wondering that as much as I am telling myself that it might just be a technique like another, and maybe every personn can do what they prefer to do. Like, does it damage the skin, even if I am doing this very soflty (almost like caressing the skin with no ink, leaving just a red mark as an outline). The truth is, I am concerned about damaging the skin for nothing if I do that. BUT, is there a tip you have related to that you could give me please ? Thank you for reading Anrijs, keep on the good work ! (
I would recommend whatever will be easier for you to work and achieve better end result. lot of artists use light lines , lot of artists don't, as long as finished design looks good, no rules how to get it done, there's so many different techniques and approach how to build up tattoo, work with the one you feel most comfortable. good luck .
Recently found this, great advice, I've been tattooing for quite some time now, I really wana start moving into realism, would you say starting with as rose be a good idea?
Out of curiosity does it matter what kind of paper you are printing on to get a good reference ? I use photoshop for my reference pictures and I can never get them to look clean and clear like the images you have to the right
not sure, I haven't experiment with different papers. I just use standard printer paper. To me they are good to work from. never as crisp as on Laptop screen, but still ok. you can get little crisper image if you use photo paper , but that's a huge waste on $ just for references .
Hi man, I'm really enjoying these videos, but I'm a bit lost with one thing: What is a decent but affordable rotary machine for a beginner? I see a lot of the "pros" are using expensive machines, and some of these artists probably even got them for free via sponsorship deals and such (or bought them cause they have enough work to pay it off in 2-3 days). I see too much marketing and sponsorship to know what I should really invest in. The truth is, I don't have 500€ for the latest trending machines but I don't want to go wrong with my first rotary. I've been using coils for a year to learn, but wanted to move on to rotaries for a while since I'm really getting into more black and grey stuff. It's really hard to find reliable reviews for the cheaper machines out there. I'm very aware that the artist's skill is so much more important over a good machine, but it's still something I'm really lost with and hopefully you or someone else could help with. I'm not trying to complain at all, but a lot of poorer people simply can't afford such machines.
Alberto Balsalm Yes we are in the same situations but i recently bought a Rogue Pen from worldwide tattoo supply for $100 idk what that is in euros or pounds but it was affordable and is great for both lines and shading
Alberto Balsalm I was saving money for a Bishop Magi and i already had half saved up but unfortunately i didnt make enough money to pay my phone bill and i used half of what i had saved up so i understand the struggle bro
Alberto Balsalm if u already draw ,, sell ur stuff even for cheap thats the way i did it, draw for cheap,, what i recomend u is one from fk irons, the give diferent strokes, give , work with cartidges and standard neddles plus removable motor,, halo 2 is a good one ,, is better to pay for 1 quality machine instead of paying for 4 cheaps, by the way, i m not sponsor by this brand ,,
Hi. Can i ask what kind of ink you use for tattoing as vegan? I am transitioning and its my 4 months all veggies only. But i want to have tattoo also. Can you give some tips to know what ink you use?
yes, I use silverback ink , All vegan. most of the quality inks nowadays will be Vegan friendly . as it's safer to make them that way. you can check more info about it in every ink company website .
you should be thankful for any videos I make. and if you want to learn. go and learn all by yourself like I did . not by - saying time-lapse is BS and telling what other people should do ! good luck .
Hey Anrijs, another great video! Thanks for all the tips! I’ve been tattooing for 7 years now and switched to realistic tattooing about a year ago, I know you’re a busy man but I would love to have some feedback on my work, if it’s not too much to ask, so if you ever find 5 minutes, you can have a look here instagram.com/nikiforukmarcin Thanks and keep doing the great job!
hey. I can have a look yes , but I can't find time to individually message everyone about their work. I'll try to work on some videos where people can send me stuff and I can check it out and do some reviews and tips, that way it will be helpful for everyone.
As someone new to tattooing, but with a strong drawing background, I feel like realism tattoos would not be all that difficult. I practiced tattoo shading for the first time this week and I was able to get the tones that I wanted. Personally, it seems more challenging to be able to tattoo solid clean lines found in more traditional work.
@Yeehaw it's just another type of difficulty, I've always agreed with this "Mike Kim" guy, to me it's always been easier to do "simple" realism tattoos rather than "simple traditional" stuff
you’re incredible for someone trying to get into the industry, i was just about giving up and then i found you and your wife on here and you’re both amazing and so motivational!! thankyou both!!x
Even your explanations were "realistic", i really missed your videos and this is an honest and cristal clear explanation, it really helps a lot. Please keep on doing them!
Your passion for what you're talking about really comes across in the video, it's fantastic that you are so enthusiastic about what you do.
well theres no cons to creating pieces and theres always room for development
i love how you say tattoo haha
tuttoo
Tatü
great tips thank you so much sir you're a big inspiration for me and your videos they help me a lot
Anrijs you are amazing!! Thank you for these helpful videos!
Your a good artist bro. This world needs more nice down to earth artists like you.
Thank you for your videos. I'm learning myself, but still looking for someone that will help me along the way! This was very helpful and I love your work!
Anrijs, your videos are amazing!! It would really help that you link in the description other videos that you mention. So that we can go there quickly instead of having to look for them through your channel. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!! love from argentina
hey. thanks for the message, I will try to do that. but,I don't really have hundreds of videos here, if you are familiar with my channel theres only about 40 videos, that's not too much to check and find what you are looking to.
from the picture and name you can find in seconds any video you need.
Just found your channel today. Your videos are so thorough and informative. Thank you!
doing my first realism portrait in around a week from now, great advice! thank you!
Not sure if you’ll ever see this but I hope it went great and you continued excelling in your journey!
Thank you for sharing sir 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Ty bro for you takin the time to make these inspiring videos
thank-you for checking them out!
Appreciated of your important advices^^
Thank You so much for all ur knowledge u put out there. Really like how real you are when explaining....Tames 😎🦁
Great video, dude. Keep them coming.
On point about reference..this is a pretty solid advice tnx dude
Man your voice gives me energy 🤘🏾
ive been following you for a couple of months now. im an apprentice in belgium who is really looking up to your work.
i hope someday to achieve a level wich is half as good as you are.
and i have a left leg without ink wich is reserved for one of your pieces!
this is one of best video and tips i watch , much respect for you sir .thank you. so many good tips and advice i know in you.im a newbie tattoo artist from phillipines..godbless
Thankyou so much for checking video and good words! glad it helped! good luck with your work!
excellent tips especially in what to look for reference wise
Thanks so much, you are an angel like a badass angel. Your videos are really helpful.
Thankyou :)
I love u dear
I love u dear
Nice tips bro
thank u so much for these tips 👏 you're a great tattoo artist
Very helpful, and inspiring. You're awesome. Have fun.
thank you very much for your time Anrijs, a hug from Spain
you know, im tattoo artist and i think im good i can show to someone if he want.. but im still watching cuz is fucking good maan :D i know this information but still watching gj bro gj!
Awesome video! Thank you! I have been tattooing with coil machines and rotary machines, and just recently purchased a pen machine. The next step that I would like to try is using bugpins I have a mainly used regular #12 curved mags. Any tips for using bugpins? I see a lot of really smooth shading with bugpins, almost looks like airbrush. Thank you for any feedback that you can give me. You are awesome man!
some artists just work softer. needle will not make airbrush effect. for some bug pins will make work easier, for other's harder. I believe if you can do really soft work with #8 needles, you will be able to do it with #12 too. or other way around . best will be to just buy one pack and try out, not much to say about it.
I have separate video where I go through needle setup what I use .
Anrijs Straume Tattoo Thanks for the fast response! What you are saying completely makes sense. I will just have to give them a try. Thanks again! Please keep making videos! They are awesome and inspire me to continue on working to become better🍻😁👍
Thank you so much for always sharing man! You are amazing 💪
Thank you for the tips this really helps your some one I look up to thank you for all help you bring really appreciate it
This dude is the coolest dude
well done ..keep the excellent work of educating beginners ..though realism has no enough longertivity on the body ...especially realism with layering and soft colors..too many examples of awesome tattoos posted new superb and after 2 years are flat ..but anyway i believe also that any style is super and the love of the craft is the key to stay mativated and allways update the techniques //
Well explained.Felt like I was having a one on one subbed.
Another awesome super helpful video. Thank you Anrijs!
Check out Lil b tattoo tutorial he's a great artist
Thank you, that's really useful!
Anrijs, I love you're videos! The tech advice and the reviews are badass. I have a really lame question. Where do you get the background music for some of your videos?
some of the bands from my friends. info about music is below each video.
Paldies Vecīt par šiem video ... Ļoti iedvesmojoši un noderīgi .... :)
Kaija Ink detected :D
I love your channel,man,keep it going!
Thanks Anrijs, really inspiring.
Very informative and helpful, thanks!! :)
Really nice tips, thanks!
Thank you sir for your tips..
Thank you very much for all your infos it really helps
You looks like Chester Bennington
Awesome work man !!!!
Your videos are so helpful. i love you and your wife yall are awesome. You guys Inspire so much in tattoo culture. :* mawh love you guys! great video! :)
Nice tips bro !
where are you located?..i would love a black &white realistic portrait. thank you
I had a lot of aha moments, if you know what i mean, great video thumbs up
Great video my friend!!...
Me encanta tu trabajo estaba leyendo tu entrevista y quería saber como podía comunicarme con vos .. tenemos mucho en común y me re siento inspirado por vos y tu trabajo quisiera conocerte en persona algún día sería mi sueño desde ya muchas gracias por tu trabajo y experiencia
Suuuper helpful! Thanks from Argentina 💕
Great advice! Thank you!
thank you man , i was trying to do an owl tattoo on fake skin but it has so much details it drives me insane , mby i will try another one with a better reference
Oh, Awesome to hear that it helped. Yeah, give another go, and use more simple higher contrast reference.
muchas gracias por los consejos
Amazing video
THANK YOU SO MUCH , can you do a tutorial on how to stencil a black and grey tattoo
I have separate stencil video , where I show how I make them .
Prob the skull is the perfect tattoo to try out realisim I think maybe something that you tattoo that you are really good at like say you do really good animals with lines like a tiger I’m good at tigers I would try something like that maybe I’m wrong but something you do well try to do it in realism a skull is prob the best cause if you mess up it’s really easy to fix even if you have to put lines in it wen you are done if it looks that bad easy fix good video as always
Any books would u recommend for wanting to learn
What about packing white in the way you pack in the heavy larger fields of white. You use a magnum and brush in like black or you have a better technique?
I never really pack large white areas, to be honest I don't really know what technique they use for that.
Well i meant just the way you apply it in your work not how someone else does it. Like texture type thats not just a line or dot
Hi Anrijs, first of all, love your videos. Now the question, I'm a beginer and a serious problem happens to me everytime I try realism. Or simple shading sometimes too: How did you keep on tattooing when the client skin turns totally irritated after the first two minutes and you can't see how light or dark it turned out?
By the way, sorry for my english if there are any mistakes (I'm from Spain)
Please can you do a video on how and why you use the types of needles and also the methods of the shades in realism thank you
I have video on needles where I show what I use and why.
As in when you are tattooing close up video
Thank you so much.
I’m thinking of getting a realistic xenomorph on my ribs. It will be my first.
Did u get it? Ur first tattoo on your ribs😂thats gonna hurt like hell
Right on time! Thank you!
thank's bro it's a good tips
Great video
Sorry for the dumb question man,it’s necessary to know how to draw realism ( in paper ) for tattoo realism? I’m asking because if the game of realism is more about shading and dark/light point,it is really necessary?
You think is mather the tattoo machine to tattoo realism? I want to change the inkjecta with cheyenne pen, for you pls can i ask how is best inkjecta or pen?
Hi Anrijs,
First of all, thank you for this video and all the others. I appreciate your tips :).
I would like to know one thing. Would your recommand to make very light lines on the skin to first set the design on it, or do you think it is better to work like a "print machine", I mean working straight from a point to another and not placing the design first?
I'm a beginner, and the only realistic design I made so far is a realistic rose in balck and grey. I first placed the outlines in a veeeery light greywash, and then I was feeling secure that the stencil will not fade away because of my hands wipping the tattoo during the session.
Anyway, I am wondering that as much as I am telling myself that it might just be a technique like another, and maybe every personn can do what they prefer to do. Like, does it damage the skin, even if I am doing this very soflty (almost like caressing the skin with no ink, leaving just a red mark as an outline). The truth is, I am concerned about damaging the skin for nothing if I do that.
BUT, is there a tip you have related to that you could give me please ?
Thank you for reading Anrijs, keep on the good work !
(
I would recommend whatever will be easier for you to work and achieve better end result.
lot of artists use light lines , lot of artists don't, as long as finished design looks good, no rules how to get it done, there's so many different techniques and approach how to build up tattoo, work with the one you feel most comfortable.
good luck .
Thanks!
Damn I thought I was looking at chester Bennington
Would synthetic tattoo skin work for practicing realism
yeah , it would be good. I have video here about tattooing synthetic arm, I'm sure I describe all the benefits in that video.
Recently found this, great advice, I've been tattooing for quite some time now, I really wana start moving into realism, would you say starting with as rose be a good idea?
hey. in my opinion rose can be hard one to start with. but all depends on photo reference.
Do you ever do. Podcast classes or Dvd's
Can u do art tutorials?? Like drawing plz!!!
hey. there's million art tutorials on youtube already . I'm sure really good ones there. just check it out yourself.
For drawing I learn from "Ali Haider" who specializes in graphite portraits and "ThePortraitArt" who specializes in charcoal portraits
you're amazing
thankyou
Great video thank you :-)
Out of curiosity does it matter what kind of paper you are printing on to get a good reference ? I use photoshop for my reference pictures and I can never get them to look clean and clear like the images you have to the right
not sure, I haven't experiment with different papers. I just use standard printer paper. To me they are good to work from. never as crisp as on Laptop screen, but still ok.
you can get little crisper image if you use photo paper , but that's a huge waste on $ just for references .
Hi man, I'm really enjoying these videos, but I'm a bit lost with one thing:
What is a decent but affordable rotary machine for a beginner?
I see a lot of the "pros" are using expensive machines, and some of these artists probably even got them for free via sponsorship deals and such (or bought them cause they have enough work to pay it off in 2-3 days). I see too much marketing and sponsorship to know what I should really invest in. The truth is, I don't have 500€ for the latest trending machines but I don't want to go wrong with my first rotary. I've been using coils for a year to learn, but wanted to move on to rotaries for a while since I'm really getting into more black and grey stuff. It's really hard to find reliable reviews for the cheaper machines out there.
I'm very aware that the artist's skill is so much more important over a good machine, but it's still something I'm really lost with and hopefully you or someone else could help with. I'm not trying to complain at all, but a lot of poorer people simply can't afford such machines.
Alberto Balsalm Yes we are in the same situations but i recently bought a Rogue Pen from worldwide tattoo supply for $100 idk what that is in euros or pounds but it was affordable and is great for both lines and shading
Alberto Balsalm I was saving money for a Bishop Magi and i already had half saved up but unfortunately i didnt make enough money to pay my phone bill and i used half of what i had saved up so i understand the struggle bro
Alberto Balsalm if u already draw ,, sell ur stuff even for cheap thats the way i did it, draw for cheap,, what i recomend u is one from fk irons, the give diferent strokes, give , work with cartidges and standard neddles plus removable motor,, halo 2 is a good one ,, is better to pay for 1 quality machine instead of paying for 4 cheaps, by the way, i m not sponsor by this brand ,,
I have separate video - ONE MACHINE FOR EVERYTHING. I believe I cover and explain everything in that video.
@Smoke.sk8 es mi insta
Was the good skull reference your artwork? If not where did you find it?
google images
Ow ani thank you
you kinda remind me of chester bennington
Hi. Can i ask what kind of ink you use for tattoing as vegan? I am transitioning and its my 4 months all veggies only. But i want to have tattoo also. Can you give some tips to know what ink you use?
He uses Silverback Ink!
yes, I use silverback ink , All vegan.
most of the quality inks nowadays will be Vegan friendly . as it's safer to make them that way.
you can check more info about it in every ink company website .
Anna van den Brink thank you
Anrijs Straume Tattoo thank you
"how to approach day session work" still waiting! :)
it's already been uploaded million months ago . check out in my channel
👍👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌
Thankssssss🙏🙏🙏💉💉💉💥💥💥
I think the best way to start realism tattoos is to not give overly detailed tattoos that will smudge in a few years and not ever do it , lol.
Say hello to monami
Make other videos
А можно версию на русском?)
whats the point to explain to those who already know how to do realism.... its a " how to start realism " should mean teaching the new bees!
Why do people tattoo their faces, this nice kid doesn’t need that face tat
You should film yourself doing a tattoo and no timelapse BS its hard to learn from them
you should be thankful for any videos I make. and if you want to learn. go and learn all by yourself like I did .
not by - saying time-lapse is BS and telling what other people should do ! good luck .
😂😂
Anrijs Straume Tattoo
I'm glad you said it just that way
Get the depressing music out of the background of your vids for fucks sake.
Hey Anrijs, another great video! Thanks for all the tips!
I’ve been tattooing for 7 years now and switched to realistic tattooing about a year ago, I know you’re a busy man but I would love to have some feedback on my work, if it’s not too much to ask, so if you ever find 5 minutes, you can have a look here
instagram.com/nikiforukmarcin
Thanks and keep doing the great job!
hey. I can have a look yes , but I can't find time to individually message everyone about their work. I'll try to work on some videos where people can send me stuff and I can check it out and do some reviews and tips, that way it will be helpful for everyone.
Anrijs Straume Tattoo thanks a lot, I totally understand that! Thank you for taking the time to reply!:)
Tattoo must be banned