2 answers
Kacie
Student
Newton Falls, Ohio
3
Questions
Asked
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how do I get into tattoo art?
I'm a freshman in high school and have been debating being a tattoo artist as a backup plan. This career has interested me for years but I've just never known where to start or how I would get into it.
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2 answers
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
237
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Kacie,
Tattoo art is very skilled, and tattoo artists work very hard to perfect and use their skills, so I'm not sure it would be a good choice for a "back up" plan. You'd really need to be committed.
However, its a great way to use your art skills, talent, and creativity, and to make a living from it. I had a student a number of years ago who was interested in becoming a tattoo artist, and he started by visiting tattoo studios and finding artists there who would be willing to talk to him and show him how they tattoo. He had a very graphic and linear style of drawing, and I thought his artwork would be great as tattoos. So, if you have any tattoo studios in your town, start there. Ask them about how they got into tattooing, where they trained, and what they like about their job, and how it is challenging to them. Since you are a freshman in high school, you should definitely tell your parents about your plan, and you might see if they, or another adult in your family, could accompany you when you visit. I don't think there is any danger in going to tattoo studios, but I think it would show that you are serious about this as a career.
In the meantime, look at tattoo art on the internet and in library books. Youtube videos are always helpful. You might notice that it is predominately a linear art from, so practice your drawing skills. Get a small sketch book and practice drawing any object that you like with pencils or fine line markers---flowers, cars, butterflies, cupcakes, or whatever. Also practice your lettering skills, as lettering does factor in many tattoo designs.
I'd also talk to your art teacher about your interest in tattoo art, and see if he or she could could give you some pointers about how you could make your drawings more appealing in terms of tattoo aesthetics. Also, ask your school librarian if there are any books on tattoo art, or if he or she could recommend any websites that feature tattoo art, remember, tattooing the human body is an art form used in many different cultures throughout the world, and it would be interesting for you to see that.
Best wishes!
Tattoo art is very skilled, and tattoo artists work very hard to perfect and use their skills, so I'm not sure it would be a good choice for a "back up" plan. You'd really need to be committed.
However, its a great way to use your art skills, talent, and creativity, and to make a living from it. I had a student a number of years ago who was interested in becoming a tattoo artist, and he started by visiting tattoo studios and finding artists there who would be willing to talk to him and show him how they tattoo. He had a very graphic and linear style of drawing, and I thought his artwork would be great as tattoos. So, if you have any tattoo studios in your town, start there. Ask them about how they got into tattooing, where they trained, and what they like about their job, and how it is challenging to them. Since you are a freshman in high school, you should definitely tell your parents about your plan, and you might see if they, or another adult in your family, could accompany you when you visit. I don't think there is any danger in going to tattoo studios, but I think it would show that you are serious about this as a career.
In the meantime, look at tattoo art on the internet and in library books. Youtube videos are always helpful. You might notice that it is predominately a linear art from, so practice your drawing skills. Get a small sketch book and practice drawing any object that you like with pencils or fine line markers---flowers, cars, butterflies, cupcakes, or whatever. Also practice your lettering skills, as lettering does factor in many tattoo designs.
I'd also talk to your art teacher about your interest in tattoo art, and see if he or she could could give you some pointers about how you could make your drawings more appealing in terms of tattoo aesthetics. Also, ask your school librarian if there are any books on tattoo art, or if he or she could recommend any websites that feature tattoo art, remember, tattooing the human body is an art form used in many different cultures throughout the world, and it would be interesting for you to see that.
Best wishes!
Thanks for the advice.
Kacie
Joy Ferguson
Author
37
Answers
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Joy’s Answer
Go to a shop where they do tattoos and ask if you can observe for a month and practice on a prosthetic arm or leg. Watch tattoo tutorials on YouTube. Maybe look at tattoos and sketch them for practice. Best of luck!
Thank you for giving me advice.
Kacie