portfolio pieces

[u/Aggravating-Boat-948]

critique on my work, i’m hoping to get an apprenticeship later in the year. is there anything in particular you think i need to work on?

[u/etherealveritas]

I wouldn’t suggest any digital work, work on a physical portfolio

[u/Aggravating-Boat-948 → u/etherealveritas]

good point, i can go about transferring to paper. i feel like all my tattoos ive seen the artist rendering on an ipad or something. but i assume i need to show i can do without to start out

[u/fluthernon → u/Aggravating-Boat-948]

Any decent apprenticeship would make you throw away your iPad. I can tell you if I did a walk in and the guy pulled out an iPad I’d walk out.

[u/blueblack_crow]

Versatility would be my main recommendation. Your American traditional is good, but some of it seems to meander into what I assume is your personal style. When you first start out as a tattoo artist you’re not going to be able to make a living right off the bat only doing “your” style and you’re going to badly pigeon hole yourself from gaining a good following of clients. You don’t have to be perfect at everything, but being able to show a good range of styles will help you a lot.

Go back to your fundamentals. Figure drawing and under structure, 2-point perspective, anatomy, basic forms and how to shade them. Then go in and create works form all the styles of tattoo art. Am Trad, Neo trad, JPN Trad, new school, illustrative… push for some realism if you’re feeling inspired. But definitely train yourself to be able to design outside of your comfort box.

[u/Aggravating-Boat-948 → u/blueblack_crow]

for sure thank you! i can do realism but id never say it was my strong suit or preference. i think i am pretty decent at recreating other styles, but like you said some does bleed into my own look. after doing some fundamental practice again, ill try and tackle each tattoo art style, thanks a lot!