Has anyone ever tried tattooing?
Hey there everyone,
Got a bit of a strange question.
Has anyone ever done any tattooing / been a tattoo artist?
I've been into tattoo art for a long time, and have a fair few, I got a sleeve done a few years ago but haven't had anything done for at least 18 months or so.
I've always wanted to try tattooing and I suppose being a tattoo artist is something I would love to do.
The problem is, the route into it seems difficult unless you're prepared to work for next to nothing while you learn. Obviously the hygiene/safety issues surrounding it prevent any other methods of learning.
I'm certainly in no financial position to work for free for a year or two but it seems like there's this kind of 'closed circle' of tattooists where an apprenticeship is seen as the one and only way to get into the business.
From what I've read there seems to be varied opinion about people who have got into the industry, some artists seem dead against the whole 'teach yourself' method, whereas some others call BS on this and there seems to be some artists who have supposedly taught themselves and can do some awesome work.
The equipment seems readily available and it appears that tattooing in your home can be legal providing you get the local health authority / council to inspect the premises to ensure the place is safe.
Would be good to hear some thoughts if anyone knows more about this.
Thanks
Got a bit of a strange question.
Has anyone ever done any tattooing / been a tattoo artist?
I've been into tattoo art for a long time, and have a fair few, I got a sleeve done a few years ago but haven't had anything done for at least 18 months or so.
I've always wanted to try tattooing and I suppose being a tattoo artist is something I would love to do.
The problem is, the route into it seems difficult unless you're prepared to work for next to nothing while you learn. Obviously the hygiene/safety issues surrounding it prevent any other methods of learning.
I'm certainly in no financial position to work for free for a year or two but it seems like there's this kind of 'closed circle' of tattooists where an apprenticeship is seen as the one and only way to get into the business.
From what I've read there seems to be varied opinion about people who have got into the industry, some artists seem dead against the whole 'teach yourself' method, whereas some others call BS on this and there seems to be some artists who have supposedly taught themselves and can do some awesome work.
The equipment seems readily available and it appears that tattooing in your home can be legal providing you get the local health authority / council to inspect the premises to ensure the place is safe.
Would be good to hear some thoughts if anyone knows more about this.
Thanks
Replies
If you like art and people, it's fun. You can also make decent money if you're good and the economy is healthy. Now is probably not a good time to start your own tattoo parlor, I know people who are VERY talented who are having to close their doors. It sucks.
I met some of the most awesome and some of the most fucked up people working in a tattoo parlor.
It is unlikely that you would be able to teach yourself all of the things you need to know without doing some shitty work on people in the process (thereby ruining your reputation and shooting yourself in the foot). If you really want to do it, you need to be spending some time around pros who know what they're doing and learning their secrets concerning needle making, machine maintenance, and tattooing technique.
I can only reach my legs with confidence and a base firm enough to feel comfortable. I can not do great big portraits or anything. You better read your books! I found one combined with a video online that was really informative. Sterilization through opening your doors. As long as your safe, and never double handle(I do not even like sterilizing, all new all the time!) you'll be fine! Grab a gun offline and get to work on your upper thighs!
It is also easy to turn your skin in to hamburger meat...There are plenty of people who will let you tattoo on them for practice, and cheap-like until you feel good enough to work on yourself.
Add my PSN Quokimbo, we can race and talk about it lol
Sorry, I have edited this a couple of times, and things may be out of place now...
:poly142:
It's definitely something I wanna try, and it's good to know it is actually possible to at least start out a bit by yourself. I'm certainly in no position to drop my full time job to go do an apprenticeship but as Spider mentioned, part time might be an option.
I haven't really considered as far as opening a studio I suppose, game art is my main focus for a career. Tattooing is something I would love to try though and hey if it turns out I can do it, then maybe that would be a career route I could consider later. You're right though, there must be a lot of money to be made in tattooing, my artist was charging £50 an hour and was regularly filling 40 hours a week. To be honest though, I'm more interested in just doing it as a sideline simply because it's an artform I appreciate rather than a way to make a bunch of money.
Fortunately as you say Quokimbo, a lot of my friends have tattoo's and would most likely be willing 'test subjects', and cleanliness and proper hygiene would be at the top of my priorities, I certainly wouldn't wanna get slapped with a lawsuit for passing on diseases through poor hygiene! A lot of seemingly reputable places sell autoclaves and sterilisation equipment too so I think you can get all the proper equipment to do it at home. One of the best machine makers (Micky Sharpz) is based like 30 mins from me too so I guess I could pick some stuff up from there.
I need to get a headset for my PS3 Quokimbo but I'll add you up on PSN when I get that sorted!
Thanks again
Yeah you're totally correct, it even states on his website he won't sell to just anyone. From what I've gathered, providing you can prove health authority registration then they're ok about it.
Also Sectaurs, the law's the same here in the UK, you need a premises registered by the local authority.
I intend to get authorised first anyway, the inspection specifically says it covers private residences but the certificate will only cover the premises inspected and not the artist... so you can only tattoo in the registered place.
Fortunately an inspection and certificate is actually inexpensive... I just need to ensure my place is of a standard to be approved and I know the ins and outs of sterilisation.
And yeah the tattoo community is close knit for sure, although I'm pretty convinced there are a fair few of the top artists tattooing now who say they frown upon scratchers but started out on themselves / friends initially.
if its illegal to tattoo people why do they sell kits and guns at local head shops? hrmm? You can buy a water pipe and say its for tobacco use only, but what is the legal purpose for a tattoo gun, if tattooing is illegal?
i let my cousin tattoo my arm...he jacked me up!! I had cuts in the tattoo(Looked like valleys in my skin). His volts were way to high. I have never heard the term scratcher before, but that is what he is!
I used a grapefruit to practice before I hit up my inner calf...
When I return home in September I'll get a few more done from him, it's free and good practice for him!
Considered airbrush tattooing? Needle free. Seen a local ad by a tattoo shop, with no experience necessary.
Probably an okay training opportunity and to build a portfolio to get into an actual shop apprenticeship arrangement.
so airbrush isnt really an option.
Pigskin is what you use!
Eh. Lot's of things are illegal in America.
You need to making inroads with your local tattoo parlors. Make some friends and network (you may have already started doing this). If you really are interested and want to do it, and you have artistic ability, someone will give you some advice/help in your area.
Things to keep in mind:
- skin is not paper - designs need to be planned with this in mind
- tattoo machines require regular maintenance - you'll need to learn alot about them - doesn't matter how well you can draw/tattoo if your machine is out of tune
- stepping on established artist's toes in the area can be bad for your health - opening up a competing shop near to another, better established parlor, is bad form and can get you hurt
- lay down with dogs, come up with fleas - tattoo parlors are scumbag magnets - you will meet the dregs of humanity, all of whom want to be your pal, sell you drugs, give you skanky sex, and get free tattoos
- you get paid when you do tattoos, and only then - basically you only make money when someone comes through the door and you tattoo them - plan your finances accordingly - in addition, most parlors take a cut of every tattoo you do (the better/faster/more famous you are the better your cut)
- you are always one, irreverisble mistake from either fucking up someone's flesh or infecting yourself with a disease - I know that's a liitle melodramatic, but alot of people don't take the work seriously enough
Seriously, talk to some tattooists in your area and tell them what you're interests are. Don't be hurt if they blow you off, they hear that shit 10 times a day from all sorts of losers, so they take the, "I want to tattoo" line with more than a grain of salt. Be polite, but persistent and bring samples of your art.Start by involving yourself with tattoo shows, hang out at a shop of an artist you admire, and bring in a sketch book for tattoos you are doing. Always get a small tattoo as proof of sincerity, then as you are being inked, talk to him/her as a professional (but not technical). Get to know them and mention you'd like to hang and watch to see their mastery at work. (Flattery without being a fanboy goes a long way.) In the tattoo world it is all about respect. Give it and over time you'll receive it. Takes time, but all things good usually do.
EDIT: One should note you'll get turned away 1000 times...some times from the same artist...before they let you in. A bit like a gang that way. You got to show you are sincere and pay your dues.
It's really good to know that it can be done alongside a full time job. I've worked so hard over the last 18 months or so getting into game art and learning as much as I can and I know for sure that's my primary aim for a career. But as all artists know, exploring every creative avenue is often enjoyable and usually worthwhile.
I'll do my research and check out some of the local shops. I'll check in with my previous artist too, I probably clocked 80 hours or more with him and used to know him pretty well although he had no idea I was interested in tattooing so that may be an option to explore.
Thanks again everyone for the comments, really appreciated.