Creating a portfolio of your artwork can help you recognize your individual strengths and land a job as a tattoo artist.
Tattoos have played an integral role in identity politics over the years. Not only do tattoos express our personal interests and beliefs, but they represent physical manifestations of our hopes, dreams and fears. Because tattoos are permanently etched onto our bodies, getting the right tattoo is of the utmost importance to wearers. Tattoo artists who exhibit sensitivity and creativity towards their customers gain much success. With the right preparation and approach, tattooing can become a fulfilling and rewarding career.
Instructions
Hone your drawing skills
1. Improve your drawing abilities. Step inside any tattoo shop and you will find walls adorned with many tattoo templates. People who do not know what they want tattooed on their bodies usually fall back on these design templates. Others desire their own, one-of-a-kind tattoos and may request a custom design. These customers might approach you with a specific idea and ask you to flesh out the details.
2. Practice sketching popular templates. Carbon copying popular tattoo templates will refine your consistency. Each patron expects his or her tattoo to be of equally excellent quality to the last person and the next. Studying these templates will also help you create your own images. Look for motifs and symbols that resonate with you and your particular skills.
3. Compile an art portfolio. Veteran tattoo artists look at an individual's art samples to gauge a potential understudy's talent. These artists rely on high-quality work and will not hire anyone with sub-par drawing skills. Purchase a binder and display each design in a sheet protector. Your artwork will look professional, and the sheet protectors will preserve your artwork.
Seek tattoo apprenticeships
4. Canvas nearby areas and the web for tattoo shops. Do not settle for just any shop. Search for reputable shops that are renowned for their consistent, high-quality work. Contact your friends and ask them for any leads. You should have an objective memorized, so when you land an interview, you can state exactly what you would like to achieve in your apprenticeship and career.
5. Market yourself as professionally as possible, and be serious about your work. Carry a "no job is too big or too small" attitude, and cater to the tattoo artist's needs. If the tattoo shop only needs counter help, take advantage of the opportunity. You may not be able to apprentice at first, but it may become a future possibility, unless stated otherwise.
6. Be humble and eager to learn. The tattoo artist will probably ask you to handle a wide variety of tasks unrelated to the apprenticeship, which can seem unproductive. However, chances are the tattoo artist whom you study under is helping you out by not asking for a fee for training. Additional responsibilities, trade secrets and tips are earned over time.
7. Start your own business. After spending a good chunk of time with the tattoo artist, you might be able to start your own tattoo business. Establish a strong network of customers and colleagues, and continue working on mastering your craft.
