Question about a Tattoo Artist?

[ShadowedRaven]

Heya all.
I just wanted to ask if anyone knew about the qualifications you'd need to become a tattoo artist? I've been thinking for a while that it's something I'd like to do in the future and wanted to know if anyone had some first hand info on it?

Any info would be great! ;D

[psychopixi]

Talk to tattooists in your area, and see if you can get an apprenticeship. You'll probably need some kind of portfolio with you, to show off your mad art skillz. *grins*

[Rachael Huntington]

Yep, that's good advice. I'm in the process of doing exactly that myself, although I have found that it's probably better to invest in the basic equipment (probably setting you back by at least £700) so that you can begin practising to show you are serious and have potential, and to nail the basic techniques, then try to score an apprenticeship. As a warning, apprenticeships seem to be very few and far between, which is why I'm looking at self training for a while.

Good luck!

[psychopixi]

I'd be careful about that - a lot of tattooists don't respect people who jump straight in, so to speak. If you're tattooing out of your house, without the proper training, and in all likelyhood without the proper equipment to maintain a clean and sterile environment you're likely to get branded a scratcher, and you can kiss goodbye to an apprenticeship.

[Rachael Huntington]

Don't worry...by practice I mean on non-human matter at home until proper training can begin under the supervision of a respected tattoo artist (which is looking very likely, so I'll keep people updated) Apollos is already pencilled in as my first 'real' victim under the careful eye of the guy who has offered training. Poor sod!

It's important to buy decent equipment from the off, so forget the £100 eBay 'starter kits'. I'm investing a lot to get just the basics to begin my training and do it right.

[psychopixi]

*yey* Thank you for clearing that up.