Tattoo apprenticeship information

Okay, I'm sixteen years old and I hope to start an apprenticeship when I become "of age." I have some of my work put together already, but hope to change it out eventually as my artwork improves. Are there any specific things I should work on to improve my chances of being accepted as an apprentice? I've already started practicing lettering. (Olde English, etc.) Any information would be greatly appreciated. -Alyssa.

Practice, Practice, and Practice on your drawings, sketches, paintings, every and all mediums you feel comfortable. After high school, take some art classes at a local college, get certified in CPR, First Aid and Bloodbourne Pathogens to begin with, just to show that you're serious, and while you're taking the art classes at a local college, an anatomy course wouldn't hurt either. These might convince an artist on how serious you are, possibly putting you ahead of others trying to get into the field cuz it's "cool". DO NOT BUY EQUIPMENT AND DO WORK ON YOUR FRIENDS WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THE ABOVE MENTIONED COURSES. You'll only pick up bad habbits that will be hard to break, not to mention the health risk to the people you'd be tattooing. Keep in mind though, with all this potentially under your belt, it's no guarantee that you'll land that apprenticeship. Also, don't let just anyone apprentice you. There are a ton of tattoo machine operators that will be more than willing to apprentice someone that they see an ounce of talent in, with the hopes that the person will make it big and credit the one who taught them. Do plenty of research, and don't shortchange yourself.

i am a 18 and hav been lookin 4 a place to get a apprenticeship.... and more to learn about.... if u get this shout at me wit some info...my screen name is stellarboy20...and my cel is 4900219 just text it

Alyssa...I think Krystof covered it pretty darn well ...also I have found that doing sculptures in clay can give you a leg up on perspective and texture..try it out..sculpting helps train the eye to see things in a graphic way...I also reccomend any art book by my friend Lee Hammond...you will gain a wealth of knowledge from lee...check out her website at...www.leehammond.com...she is amazing Another thing...study the tattoos on this site...you will see work from the best in the world here! You have the right attitude here young lady...if there is anything I can do to help just e-mail [email removed] steelrboy...show us some pics...a cell phone # is no good without an area code...and its not our job to phone you...it is YOUR job to contact artists ...TAz

I'm hoping to get an apprentiship going soon, but they are REALLY hard to find... especially because I don't want to learn from another ameatur.. Check out some of my sketches, feedback is always nice... especially negative! http://blog.myspace.com/600938

HI, I'm interested in gaining an apprenticeship after I graduate (I am 15 and in tenth grade) from high school. I've already shown my art to an accomplished artist (6 years in the biz and nothing but good things said about him) and he says I have MAJOR talent. If any artists in Saskatchewan or Alberta are interested in seeing my drawings, leave contact information and I will contact you whenever it's convinient. My e-ail is [email removed], and I will give my number to anyone seriously interested int alking to me about this. (learned the hard way to not just post a phone number anywhere)

hey! im 21 and lookin to get an apprenticeship in the wilkes-barre, pa area. im taking art classes at a local community college as well as anatomy and sculpture. i have a book of some sketches i did and designed a couple tattoos for friends as well as my mom who thought they were really good. i have always had a natural talent to draw just about anything, and i want to tattoo for the rest of my life. I just need a little bit of work in drawing portraits. but i plan on taking on ton of classes to help me with that. ~ASHLEY

Ashley, try a book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards... you can get it used for a cent or two off Amazon plus shipping -- it'll help with portraits as well as other artistic stuff. I'm NOT a tattoo artist but that's one of the most helpful books I've gone through -- I went home months later and saw my mother had gone through it too.. and even in her 40s it helped her art as well!

Hello everyone! Since the topic is apprenticeship I would have to say that I am looking for someone to teach me. I know I know, there are many, many people looking to tattoo, but I am hardworking and I pick things up well and quick. I know that there are a lot of great artists out there and I will be one of them someday. I will make sure of it. The thing is, not every person that wants to tattoo wants to learn, wants to put in the time, wants to do what's necessary to be a great artist. I do. I've worked in a tattoo shop before, as the financial manager, the counter help, a piercer, and did everything I could to be of help and assistance to the owner of the shop. I will do what must be done! If you are looking for an apprentice, please contact me, only because I am making an ad and not answering one (because I have not really found a site that has wanted ads for apprentices on it) [email removed] [email removed] www.myspace.com/friendlyfyre www.myspace.com/diepurplelizzard I am on every day so if you message me I will get it right away! Thank you for reading LizzieLizzard

road-tripped from the east to the west coast on a search for new soulful art and more importantly all female tattoo parlors. I'm 24, an artist of many mediums and a quick learner. did buy my own tattooing supplies, but i practice on myself and lover, not friends as of yet. i do wish to apprentice, PREFERABLY for an established female tattoo artist but anyone openminded enough to see past the repression of women and a beautiful face, to see talent and help explore it. someday i hope to open my own all-female tattoo parlor. one thing i did learn from travelling across the country, is that many people, (men and women alike) would much rather a talented beautiful woman tattooing them, especially if its in a sensitive intimate area , than a man of the same or even more experience. Any advice on finding like-minded laidback female tattoo artists or an artist of any sex that is willing to train a beautiful young woman, without attempting sexual involvement?

Currently seeking an apprenticeship. I have been drawing for 20 years. I have an associates in graphic design and I love tattoos. You can check out my artwork at www.themeatgrinder.org any info would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached at [email removed] or [email removed] Thanks!

am i to late? i am 16 and i know its to young to be an artist but i was wondering the same as everybody else. My question has been answered (it is hard to get an apprenticeship at a young age) but say i have a book full of art do i want to add some of my basement tattoo pictures to it or do real artists look down on it even if it is just me i tattoo? if any recomendations or comments feel free to email me at [email removed] thanks Cameron

Hi, my name is Danielle, I am 19 years old. I've been fascinated by tattoos ever since I was a little kid staring at my moms friends body suits, and old school pieces. I knew I wanted to do them since I was 12 and never have I thought about doing anything else as a career since. I've been told by quite the few tattoo artists that I have serious talent, yet none seem to want to apprentice me. Actually there was once an occasion that a woman DISCOURAGED me, she told me to go into heating and air conditioning, I was baffled. I've been searching out an apprenticeship since I was 17, I have a portfolio, and I am extremely serious about it. If anyone has any advice or knows anyone that could help me out please contact me. My email is: [email removed], also my AOL screen name is xxhatchetxgurlxx. Thank you, any and all help is appreciated.

Everyone here is giving out there information. See what the people are saying is to get out there. and dont stop at one tattoo artist. My name is Nicole. and of course i want to be a tattoo artist. I am 15 years old and my passion is drawing. ive never done anything else. and it is all i want in life. i know i always wanted to do something with drawing and then about a couple years ago my friend asked me to design a tattoo for him because hes seen my drawings. since then i fell in love with it. i love the idea. i keep counting down the days just so i can start on my career. I love everything about art. i even currently have 3 tattoos so i know from the feeling of being the one being tattooed. (if that makes any sense?) Anyways, thank you, i love reading about tattoo artists and i read all the information i can get. Nicole.

I am a Graphic Designer for the leading beverage distributor in Utah. Looking for a tattoo apprenticeship. Throughout my two years working with Carlson Distributing I have become a master with Adobe programs such as Illustrator, Dreamweaver, InDesign and Photoshop. In addition to my software knowledge I am familiar with deadlines, the importance of punctuality and creativity on a project. Currently I am attending ITT-Tech and will receive my Bachelors of science in graphic design at the end of the year. There I have learned about color, layout, composition, and have taken many art classes. I believe my education and previous experience will be useful to an apprenticeship. I am passionate, have the ability to learn quickly and adapt to any enviroment. I am willing to clean, set up, answer phones, or do anything artist would need in repayment. Sincerely, Megan Heaton Meik www.coroflot.com/meganmeik

Hey, I am starting to look for apprenticeships in my area and am wondering what is the best way to find them. I am in santa clara valley. I have been, drawing, sketching for years. and I have designed a couple tattoos for friends, which the artists didn't have to make any adjustment to them when they put them to ink. I would appreciate some advice on how to find a good apprenticeship. And if you want to see some of my drawings to help your advice let me know and I will post a link to them. Thank you for your time. Josh

Hey, I am starting to look for apprenticeships in my area and am wondering what is the best way to find them. I am in santa clara valley. I have been, drawing, sketching for years. and I have designed a couple tattoos for friends, which the artists didn't have to make any adjustment to them when they put them to ink. I would appreciate some advice on how to find a good apprenticeship. And if you want to see some of my drawings to help your advice let me know and I will post a link to them. Thank you for your time. Josh

Hey, I am starting to look for apprenticeships in my area and am wondering what is the best way to find them. I am in santa clara valley. I have been, drawing, sketching for years. and I have designed a couple tattoos for friends, which the artists didn't have to make any adjustment to them when they put them to ink. I would appreciate some advice on how to find a good apprenticeship. And if you want to see some of my drawings to help your advice let me know and I will post a link to them. Thank you for your time. Josh

Hey, I am starting to look for apprenticeships in my area and am wondering what is the best way to find them. I am in santa clara valley. I have been, drawing, sketching for years. and I have designed a couple tattoos for friends, which the artists didn't have to make any adjustment to them when they put them to ink. I would appreciate some advice on how to find a good apprenticeship. And if you want to see some of my drawings to help your advice let me know and I will post a link to them. Thank you for your time. Josh

So I'm a bit older than most of the other people asking about apprenticeships. I'm 24 originally from Brooklyn, NY. However due to no work I ended up moving into my folks place in PA. I'm actually an auto mechanic working near Clarks Summit, PA. I've always loved both art and automobiles. Back when I though about getting a tattoo apprenticeship, the auto biz picked up and I stayed with it. Even now, I'm doing pretty good fixing cars... even in PA believe it or not. However I never lost sight of picking up tattooing. Being a mechanic, I know that I also can't be a tattooist. Two professions can never work out. Its either you do one or the other. Not both. So my question is this, would leaving a life of a mechanic to be a tattooist be worth it? Also, at this age, am I too old to start? 24 may not be old but for 16 year old kids looking to do the same, I have alot going against me. Anyway, does anyone have any good advice? Thanks Conrad [email removed]

So I'm a bit older than most of the other people asking about apprenticeships. I'm 24 originally from Brooklyn, NY. However due to no work I ended up moving into my folks place in PA. I'm actually an auto mechanic working near Clarks Summit, PA. I've always loved both art and automobiles. Back when I though about getting a tattoo apprenticeship, the auto biz picked up and I stayed with it. Even now, I'm doing pretty good fixing cars... even in PA believe it or not. However I never lost sight of picking up tattooing. Being a mechanic, I know that I also can't be a tattooist. Two professions can never work out. Its either you do one or the other. Not both. So my question is this, would leaving a life of a mechanic to be a tattooist be worth it? Also, at this age, am I too old to start? 24 may not be old but for 16 year old kids looking to do the same, I have alot going against me. Anyway, does anyone have any good advice? Thanks Conrad [email removed]

People. You are not - ever - going to find what you're looking for by posting something here. If you are over 18 and have a portfolio that can easily keep up with much of the art at any local tattoo shop (and I mean really keep up - get opinions on your artwork from those who will be blunt and brutally honest), you need to get out and start asking around...as in, door-to-door. You need to go and speak to individual artists and ask them to apprentice you. The answer will probably always be, "no." Keep in mind that an apprenticeship is a several-year, 8-12 hours per day, medically dangerous (I know of a couple folks who were accidentally stabbed with a tattoo needle in their first few weeks and had to be rushed to the ER - you never know what kind of illnesses the last client had), physically exhausting, mentally stressful, commitment. And let's not forget it's all without pay, and more likely you'll be paying $5000-$10000 on top of buying all of your own equipment to learn on. You won't even touch an actual tattoo machine for several months - you have to prove your worthiness and your ability to respect the shop first. You will be setting up for and cleaning up after the artist, answering phones, cleaning toilets, waving sidewalk signs, and detailing booths. So...for all you 17 and under folks: If you do find your apprenticeship once you're 18, don't expect to be moving out of mom and dad's anytime soon. Unless you have someone willing to support you 100% while you apprentice all day and work half way into the night to pay for it for 2-3 years, it's probably not gonna happen. But it's still not impossible. That's how most of the current artists got where they are :)

Hey, My name is Megan, im 22 and im also on here looking for advice on how to go about getting an apprenticeship. I have taken and passed my BBP course and am about to start my CPR/First aid course in a few days. Ive been drawing ever since I can remember and have a binder full of drawings dating back to 2003. I keep every drawing and date it to kind of remind myself of what I need to work on and what Ive improved on over the years. But I guess what my question is, is how do I go about finding a shop that is looking for apprentices?And how much does an apprenticeship regularly cost? Is it something I can make payments on or is it a flat amount upfront? Thanks for reading! Megan B.