Tattoo Artist

[AmazonQueen]

So when I was little I wanted to be a tattoo artist just like many other things i wanted to be, but i gave up on that one because i wasn't a talented enough drawer/artist now i've been watching LA and Miami Ink today and Kat Von D really inspires me so not only do I want to be a pro fighter, roadie, and musician i want to be a tattoo artist as well, what does it really take to be a good tattoo artist? i plan on going to in studio art in uni one day but does it require university?

[Batman.]

Actually, your best bet would be to look into an Apprenticeship. I know a fellow who did one, and he got to help out in the shop, learned how to pierce, they taught him how to prepare stencils and do tattoos (practicing on a chunk of pig flesh), and he got to be really good at it.

I think an apprenticeship is the educational requirement, I KNOW there is no University to it, and I doubt you need college for tattooing.

[Melody Pond]

http://www.ehow.com/how_4596883_beco...st-canada.html

You can do an apprenticeship and if that is what you want to do then you need to build up a portfolio of your art work.

I have also found this http://torontotattooschool.ca/

[thefirstlady]

Like the others have said, you need to do an apprenticeship. It's the best way to learn. You're learning from someone with experience in the field and you can watch them work. They will often ask you to put together a list of items for a portfolio. I know for one I had to do a lot of traditional designs like 2 versions of a tiger, a death before dishonor tattoo, and more. Any more ?'s feel free to PM me.

Some tattoo artists aren't great on paper but are amazing on skin. It's a matter of understanding how the machine works, how to use it, colors, same with the needles, and sizes of the pack and what not.

[jellyfish]

Practise ur drawing and build up a portfolio. Study the origin of tattooing, the different styles, and the actual tattoo process. Also have a look at other well known artists work.
You can go to college/uni to study art if u so wish, but apprenticeships are ur best bet. I think having tattoos urself would help too! lol

[Maloo]

Just be careful when it comes to being an apprentice. There are a lot of shoddy tattoo places out there. My boyfriend was apprenticing at a place where the guy who owned it did a LOT of un-sterile things, so my boyfriend easily learned what not to do.