Well there are a couple different ways to go about achieving this and the best and most trusted way is to take one of the tattoo apprenticeships out there. What you need to do is go to your local tattoo studios and ask if they're taking on apprentices at the moment. But when you go don't just turn up totally unprepared. You should be well prepared for the owner to interview you on the spot and have your portfolio ready with all your artwork and any tattoo work you have done. Be confident and have a great attitude and a willingness to learn. If you don't show these attributes then this is not the right industry for you.
To become a tattoo artist you will be mentored by an experienced tattoo artist who will then teach you everything you need to learn the proper skills and knowledge to gain an exceptional understanding of how to tattoo any customer who comes through your door. Now you need to be prepared to do a lot of the rubbish grimy jobs around the tattoo studio when doing tattoo apprenticeships; this is all part and parcel of learning how to tattoo. You will be sweeping up, cleaning all the equipment, keeping the studio all tidy and respectable, making the tea, preparing any stencils or equipment for the tattoo artists working there. You might also be expected to run the front desk and deal with the customers so confidence when dealing with people is a must. If none of this type of work appeals to you then maybe an apprentice is not for you.
Now if tattoo apprenticeships are not for you then don't worry as there is another way to learn how to tattoo. This is learning to become a tattoo artist by attending a tattoo school. These are absolutely fantastic for people wishing to get involved in the tattoo industry who can't get an apprentice placement at a studio. They are usually 2 week courses, they cover every subject you need to know to be a competent tattoo artist and they have all the skills and knowledge needed to go and tattoo customers. Once you have completed the course you will then have some choices to make about what your next step is going to be.
The first option is to go and get an apprenticeship. You can use the skills and knowledge to help you gain an apprenticeship that you might not have been able to do previously due to your lack of experience. The next option if you are confident enough is to get a seat at a tattoo studio and start earning great money tattooing customers which many people do after completing a tattoo course. The next and final option is to start up your own tattoo studio which many students also do after completing the tattoo course. This is a big step but if you have the confidence and believe in the skills you were taught then this could be a great option for you.
By Peter Eamon Bailey
To become a tattoo artist you will be mentored by an experienced tattoo artist who will then teach you everything you need to learn the proper skills and knowledge to gain an exceptional understanding of how to tattoo any customer who comes through your door. Now you need to be prepared to do a lot of the rubbish grimy jobs around the tattoo studio when doing tattoo apprenticeships; this is all part and parcel of learning how to tattoo. You will be sweeping up, cleaning all the equipment, keeping the studio all tidy and respectable, making the tea, preparing any stencils or equipment for the tattoo artists working there. You might also be expected to run the front desk and deal with the customers so confidence when dealing with people is a must. If none of this type of work appeals to you then maybe an apprentice is not for you.
Now if tattoo apprenticeships are not for you then don't worry as there is another way to learn how to tattoo. This is learning to become a tattoo artist by attending a tattoo school. These are absolutely fantastic for people wishing to get involved in the tattoo industry who can't get an apprentice placement at a studio. They are usually 2 week courses, they cover every subject you need to know to be a competent tattoo artist and they have all the skills and knowledge needed to go and tattoo customers. Once you have completed the course you will then have some choices to make about what your next step is going to be.
The first option is to go and get an apprenticeship. You can use the skills and knowledge to help you gain an apprenticeship that you might not have been able to do previously due to your lack of experience. The next option if you are confident enough is to get a seat at a tattoo studio and start earning great money tattooing customers which many people do after completing a tattoo course. The next and final option is to start up your own tattoo studio which many students also do after completing the tattoo course. This is a big step but if you have the confidence and believe in the skills you were taught then this could be a great option for you.
By Peter Eamon Bailey
