HOW TO BECOME A TATTOO ARTIST

No one’s going to stop you if one fine day you wake up and decide to become a tattoo artist, but the job is extremely tasking. It needs practice and hard work that will make you feel like you’re in a boot camp. So if you are ready to face the challenge then this is the right profession for you. Its important to know and respect the ancient and sacred culture of tattoos. Tattoos existed before people began to write, it’s been an important and integral part of great civilizations. Good examples would be the Aztec and Mayan tattoos, Celtic tattoos, Japanese tattoos, Tahiti tattoos, tattoos still made by the Aborigines in Australia and the Maori Tattoos from New Zealand who are famous for their tattooed faces.

People who choose to get themselves tattooed, know that it will remain and remind them of something special throughout their lives. Of course there are many exceptions who regret their decisions and got their tattoos removed. Becoming a tattoo artist is hard work, it has many responsibilities and there are some basic requisites that are needed. Here are some tips on how to become a tattoo artist:

Qualifications to be a Tattoo Artist
There are no college courses that teach the art of making tattoos. What you do need is the innate talent for drawing and painting. You can sharpen your talent even more by studying the techniques used by other tattoo artists, practicing on artificial skins that are available on line or in the market. Talking to local tattoo artists, getting yourself tattooed and observing how it is done or even taking specialized art classes if you can afford it. You should have a portfolio of all your art work, that could include all your tattoo designs and even random sketches or paintings. Your portfolio is crucial for your future prospects as a tattoo artist, so try to make it impressive and original. This will give an idea of your style of artwork and your level of talent.

What you need most of all is a good apprenticeship, a professional tattoo artist who has work experience of preferably more than 5-6 years. Choose an artist who will help you develop your skills. Apprenticeships are usually no longer free these days and have become very expensive, it will cost you any where between $4000 to $5000. You will need to start saving up for some time before you’re ready to take the final step as you will not be getting any stipends while training in the tattoo parlor.

Tattoo Artist Training
It is better to do a lot of research on skin pathogens and transferability of diseases through blood. Your initial training will include firstly how to protect yourself and your clients from diseases, how to trace the designs accurately, the color combinations, lessons on how to hold the tattoo machine and make a tattoo properly, tips on tattoo care, how to sterilize and clean the machine and its parts, techniques of operating the equipment while controlling the power supply, analyzing the depth the needle should go into while tattooing the skin and understanding the various skin types and texture. Learning these tricks of the trade, show you how to become a tattoo artist.

All throughout your training you will be expected to grow, improve, that means there should be a drastic change in your drawing techniques, tracing capabilities, thought process and ideas. You should constantly try making tattoos with new styles on artificial skins, seek advice from fellow artists who work at the shop, ask your doubts and discuss innovative concepts and designs. Your teacher will let you know when you are ready to become a tattoo artist of your own merit. Only well trained tattoo artists have the confidence to start off their own tattoo shops. The average tattoo artist salary can go as high as $80,000 per annum, but you have to be equally excellent at your work.

Tattoo Artist Job Description

• One of the most important tips on how to become a tattoo artist is to grow your interpersonal skills with your clients. Tattoo artist, in order to be successful, must treat their shop, clients, employees and trainees with respect. They should be sincere, willing and eager to learn and should not be arrogant or rude.
• You should keep yourself updated with the ever changing designs of tattoos and it’s styles of tattoo letterings. Being aware of the new models of tattoo machines and the latest procedures on maintaining skin hygiene and safety, proves helpful.
• Try to keep experimenting and drawing newer designs that are radically different from your older styles of art.
• Get to know your clients better, request them to discuss in detail, their vision of the tattoo they wish to have and their expectations out of their tattoo design.
• Make a rough sketch of your client’s tattoo and get it approved by them, also try and give them a design that will definitely satisfy and please them.
• Make your client feel welcome and comfortable, so that their nervousness may reduce. Try to win their confidence and that will grow their trust in you.

Tattoos and body piercing are some of the amazing forms of self expression and will stay popular for ever. Hopefully all your doubts on how to become a tattoo artist have been answered. To create your own niche in the competitive world of tattooing, you have to stay true to yourself and your work. Once you do that creativity and originality, will come naturally.