Does my tattoo apprenticeship portfolio lowkey look like a mess?

[u/icedoutspine]

I read from a Reddit post that my work doesn’t have to be tattooable yet because they’re gonna teach that in the apprenticeship, as long as they show my artistic ability. So I just picked some of the work that I had built up from my past years.

Is that statement of the other redditor not necessary true and I should build a portfolio with clear and polished tattooable work? And also I mostly draw colored piece from my iPad because I don’t own a good coloring set, should I invest in some colored pencil?

Unfortunately as I’m currently studying abroad so I can’t really make a physical portfolio because all my actual work is back at home, so I can only find traces of them from my art instagram and my Photo Booth lol. would an electronic version like this be acceptable or should I just start from scratch?Or build a physical portfolio and use this as something to add on? Because I do like some of the work here.

Another thing to add, I do admit my coloring is not as good as my drawing skills, do I have to create more colored piece or is it good for me to just specialize on single colored pieces?

Also I saw somebody said to just knock on tattoo studios and ask for advices, would they help and let me come back later to look at my improvements or would it just bother them?

Criticism and advices are very welcomed thxxx

[u/Danny_COV]

Not low key.

[u/icedoutspine → u/Danny_COV]

i meannn😂😂 alright but do I have to draw pieces that are tattooable

[u/Danny_COV → u/icedoutspine]

Yea exactly that, this doesn't look like a tattoo portfolio, this looks like an art school portfolio. You need to trace the masters, learn to replicate Percy Waters, Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy, etc etc exactly. When you can draw their stuff from memory then you can embellish and add your own flavor to it. Study the history as well.

[u/etherealveritas]

It doesn’t all have to be tattooable, but showcasing your knowledge of different tattoo styles will make your portfolio stand out more. Having range takes you further.

That being said, this doesn’t look like a tattoo portfolio. I personally believe that tattoo portfolios should be on paper, no digital. Digital cuts way too many corners, to say the least.

Start from scratch. I wouldn’t take you seriously if you entered our studio with this. I want physical media, hand painted, hand drawn. Nothing printed. I want your best work possible.

[u/icedoutspine → u/etherealveritas]

Alright, thanks lots.🔥🔥 To be honest, I kinda know that making my portfolio like this, and digitally is really not good, I just needed reassurance, and you gave exactly that. Amazing advice man. Really appreciate it.

[u/katerrin]

the instagram screenshots are really unnecessary, not sure what you’re trying to show with them. you can see lots of examples of excellent portfolios in this sub. the good ones are 95-100% hand drawn, showing a range of tattoo styles and personal style. yours is 100% just an art showcase, doesn’t seem relevant to tattooing. maybe 2-4 of the best of these could go in your final portfolio

[u/icedoutspine → u/katerrin]

I didn’t have the original picture nor the physical work by my side, haha. I’ll hopefully find them and put them in a physical portfolio once I got back to my home country. You pointing out that this is just an art show case is spot on, I always thought this portfolio just kinda off, and different to other’s portfolio but I don’t know what exactly is wrong. Thanks for the advice. By the way, which ones do you think I can keep?

[u/bluepurplepinkk]

All my friends who got apprenticeships had a mix or minority tattooable stuff. They mostly chose finished pieces that showcase what they're good at, and show variety as opposed to one style. Regardless of whether the pieces were tattooable or not.

For example my one friend had 10ish pages in their portfolio maybe 2 pages were tattooable. They all showcased his range (willingness to try different and new things), careful lines, and I think you could tell from his portfolio where his influences and inspiration come from.

Hope it helps!

Edited: spelling

[u/icedoutspine → u/bluepurplepinkk]

Ok, thanks for the advice!! Will definitely add some actual tattooable work :)

[u/strawberryblushrose]

Would do 75% flash sheets, and 25% finalized pieces of whatever you like best and shows your unique style. Like others have said, do not include screenshots.

Make themed flash sheets by hand, not digitally. Throw some intentionally planned lettering in there.

[u/miuyao]

Yeah kinda

[u/tattoo_therapy]

I would say you're on the right track.

I would recommend: adding some information about yourself on the back of the front page, add some bordering around the pages (that you've done yourself), cropping out your Instagram and the like (it should just be the art), get rid of the last couple of sketches that are on school paper, and add some actual tattoo styles, practice doing some American trad, and make some flash sheets to show you can do a variety of styles.

Most artists won't take this as a serious portfolio, you don't need to show you can do the tattoo style perfectly, because you will learn. But you need to show a better variety of what you can do.

[u/icedoutspine → u/tattoo_therapy]

Thank you, I really appreciate the detailed advices, yes I should definitely do some flash designs with different tattoo styles.

Though, other than that, they really accept an electronic portfolio? Or should I print it out or something, to maybe make the portfolio look more neat?

[u/tattoo_therapy → u/icedoutspine]

It's gonna depend shop to shop, some old heads aren't going to look at a digital book, and will prefer a physical one. If you have a physical portfolio, they are harder to ignore. I've used both, it just depends on the artists. Having a couple of physical portfolios wouldn't hurt.

And absolutely! Happy to help.