In the last few decades, tattoos have gained major mainstream popularity, thanks to social media and Hollywood. This increase in popularity has led to tattooing becoming a very lucrative career path. However, it takes a lot more than a tattoo machine and some ink to become a true tattoo artist.
Unlike most career paths, this does not have a degree or strict pathway to follow. Most of us, especially here in Sri Lanka, found our own way into the profession with very little guidance. This being said, there are some pointers aspiring tattoo artists can follow to get ahead of everyone else.
Being good at art does not make you good at tattooing
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about tattooing. While an artist might be good on paper, that same talent will not transfer to the skin without years of practice and experience.
Human skin is much more complex than a piece of paper or canvas; our skin has different tones, conditions, and lacks uniformity. Therefore, tattoo artists require a different level of knowledge and experience; we are tasked with not only learning the art behind tattooing, but also the science behind it. This is why as tattoo artists, we need to be educated on the anatomy of the skin, since it is permanent and leaves almost no room for error.
While being good at drawing is definitely an advantage, it does not automatically make you good at tattooing.
Practice art
As I mentioned earlier, while being a good artist does not make you good at tattooing, it definitely gives you a leg up. The first thing you can do to get started is to begin drawing on your own, and all you need to take this initial step is a sketchbook and a pencil.
Start by drawing the things you see, things you think, and things other people describe. This not only gives you an idea of whether or not you enjoy drawing, but also gives you a look at what being a tattoo artist might be like, by basing your art on references and having to interpret someone else's vision.
While at this stage, it is also important to go through different drawing techniques and methods. This will get you a better sense of how the tattoo design is developed and will help you understand how a design will be applied and how it will look on the skin. Some of the drawing techniques include perfecting lines, working on details, learning to keep the design simple, and learning when to stop when the drawing is bad.
Research the industry
This should be common practice no matter the profession, as researching the industry you plan to be a part of is vital. This is where you can get a sense of whether or not you want to be a part of the industry and what to base your career on.
Researching both the international and local industry will help you get a better understanding of what you need to do to become a good tattoo artist, about tattoo etiquette, and what styles best suit you. Looking at world-famous artists will also give you something to aspire to and base your style off of.
You may find a movement or a tattoo style that speaks to you, your abilities, and your creative mindset. This way, you may discover that you’re good at creating abstract art, or more realistic drawings. Either way, this step is rather essential in the whole process of becoming a tattoo artist.
Create a portfolio
This is where all that drawing you practiced comes in handy. Gathering your work and art in one place will help you express your talent to potential mentors or apprenticeships in tattoo shops.
Your portfolio has to include your best work, meaning that the art in your portfolio has to be the best representation of your style, drawing skills, and ability to handle detailing, colour, and shading. Include work that shows that you can draw objects, patterns, shapes, characters, figures, etc. There also should be work that is in black and white, as well as in colour. So, decide to go with your strongest pieces that show your potential for creating excellent tattoos.
Moreover, your portfolio needs to look professional if you want to grab the attention of potential mentors. So, try using binders with sheet protection, or have the pages matted. This will make the portfolio easy to go through and make your work stand out. Not to mention that it will look professional, sleek, and show that you’re taking your potential career as a tattoo artist seriously.
Get an apprenticeship
Once you have your portfolio sorted out, you are on to the final step to becoming a tattoo artist – the apprenticeship. Similar to an internship at a company, tattoo apprenticeships are meant for budding tattoo artists to get experience on how to tattoo and on how tattoo shops work.
It is also important to keep in mind that few tattoo apprenticeships pay; rather, the reverse is usually true. There are some free apprenticeships, but most have a cost. These costs depend on the tattoo shop and its reputation.
Apprenticeships usually last for about six to 12 months, and once you are done with your apprenticeship, you will be aware of all the hygiene practices and business skills linked to tattooing. You will also be able to practice tattooing on yourself, under the supervision of a senior tattooist. If you succeed, they might ask you to try out a small design on a client.
Once completed, you are on your way to becoming a certified tattoo artist.