10 Tips to become a success

Becoming a tattoo artist

Tattooing has become a popular trend, and so is the trend of becoming a successful tattoo artist. While zeal and passion is at the base of almost all professions, becoming a tattoo artist requires impeccable skill and creativity. The profession of the tattoo artists goes beyond engraving tattoo designs on the body. If you are deciding on becoming a tattoo artist, here are a few tips to help you get started.

1. Sketching skills

Talent is the first and foremost thing. We are not saying you should be born with it. It can come with practice too. But at the end, a talent IS required. You should know how to draw a perfect circle or a square or a rectangle or a curve without any compass or ruler. And then you should know how to bring them together to make that perfect image. If you cannot draw or color, you cannot become a tattoo artist. So, if you are good at it then fine but if you are not, start practicing today.

2. Enroll for fine art classes

After you have worked on your raw talent, you further need to work on it to make it a skill. Mere talent won’t do. You should know how to draw that line perfectly without a single twitch. Of course a lot of hard work will make wonders. You do not need to work on your own. You can hone your talent by attending fine art classes, learning tattooing techniques from books or even working with a fellow artist. But one thing that is needed in any and every case is ‘practice!’

3. Prepare a portfolio

Once you have mastered the art of drawing on paper and know how to use your pencil in the best possible way, prepare a portfolio. This is of utter importance because it will speak on your behalf to your potential clients. Nobody believes words, they believe what they see. So without wasting time build a portfolio that comprises your finest pieces. Also, try your hands on a variety of things. From blossoming flowers to swords and knives. You never know which design interests and to whom.

4. Apprenticeship

The next step is about ‘Apprenticeship’. An apprentice is a person who learns the art and skills from someone who is already a master in the trade. This is very important to get started in the business. A master will teach you all the basics and formulas used in the trade. Sometimes this apprenticeship can be free of cost and sometimes it can even cost you in thousands. So, if in case you are going for the paid one you will also have to work out on pooling in your resources.

5. Find people with similar skill want

Next you need to find an apprenticeship which is just perfect for you. After you have been trained in all the basics of the business, you need to find the man or the woman who excels in what you are looking. For example, you are interested in black and white abstract art or colorful flower designs or mythological and spiritual texts. You will have to search around for maestros who have conquered that art. Working under a perfect teacher is a boon. He should be someone who can really teach you about the art and not someone who is just into making money. Getting one such apprenticeship is difficult and challenging but not impossible. So don’t give up hope till you find the right person.

6. Arrange money to sustain training

Apart from money for your apprenticeship, you will also need money to sustain yourself during your training. Unless and until you are wealthy, you need to earn money from some different source. That is because during this training period, you would not be earning money and will be working for free. So, try to get involved in something creative as a part time job which further helps you to sharpen your skills.

7. Master your skills

As an apprentice, always remember you will learn many skills from your teacher. However, many of them might not have any connection with the actual art at all. Among the many things that you will learn, some are; operating a tattoo machine, adjusting your machine’s power supply, safely cleaning your machine and the ways to protect you and your clients from the possible diseases. You will also learn the methods to apply a tattoo correctly. Whatever you are learning, learn honestly. You need to know each and every thing about the business and not just how to apply a tattoo. These things can take months, if not years, to master.

8. Learn from your teacher

You will get to learn a lot as a sincere apprentice. Remember that should not only learn the skills and gain knowledge from your teacher but should also consult other teachers as well. One of the best ways to learn the techniques of this art is by getting yourself tattooed by them. It is always better to observe different people put their expertise to the art. Every time you will get to learn something new.

9. Planning a studio

You are not going to get any formal degree from your teacher. However, most of the times it’s him, who will decide when it is okay for you to start a studio of your own. There are times when the student-teacher sign a bond pertaining to the certain length of time or regarding prevention of working in a competing shop. However, if there is no such bond, you are free to decide on your own.

10. Learning is an ongoing process

Do not ever lose the crave to know more. There can never be a time when you will know-it-all. There are always things that develop and evolve. You can always learn new techniques and ways to polish your art and skill.

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