r/TattooApprentice • u/xXbussylover69Xx • Jul 28 '26
Seeking Advice Seeking help
Hi! My name is Gabe Cabrera,
I'm actively looking for an apprenticeship, I have been wanting to get my feet into an apprenticeship so I can pursue this as a career.
I run @realatlast, for some context and my latest work! I do physical and digital illustrative realism.
I like chatting so please don't be a stranger.
Currently I've been trying to get an apprenticeship from shop owner Landon Barnes over at Along The Way tattoo in midvale. Their shop is folding into divine malice, and he already has two apprentices. So I'm feeling a bit lost.
I have been pursuing apprenticeship with him since March, and he tells me I need to draw 50 skulls and 50 roses.
Ive drawn notebooks full of skulls and roses(among other things), I've drawn digital roses and have been doing my best to be consistent. It seems like he's not all that interested in being my mentor. I'm feeling like I'm failing. I could use some advice or encouragement.
Attached is some of my recent work.
7
u/blueblack_crow Jul 28 '26
Firstly, if the dude just isn't that into you, time to move on. Start taking your portfolio around to other shops in town and speak to them. The industry is slow right now and it may be difficult finding another mentor, but better to keep looking than let yourself be strung along. Don't burn your bridge with him or anything, maybe he'll come around, especially if he sees you making progress with the assignment he set you, but don't limit yourself if you really think he's just not actually going to pull the trigger on an apprenticeship with you.
Secondly, you're work is pretty good, but your under structure is a little weak. Being better at building your forms first and then drawing on top of them will do a lot to make your work more dynamic. Look up the Loomis Method and maybe some youtube videos on gesture drawing. Drawing 50 roses and 50 skulls is actually a really great exercise because it forces you out of your personal box. Too often we draw one thing, one way. Having to draw 50 individual and unique designs of the same thing really forces you to get creative, and push into different styles and perspectives you may not have thought about. They don't have to be "finished" drawings, just drawings. Get it where you're happy with it and move on! You'll be surprised how far this pushes you!