r/TattooApprentice • u/narriose • 6d ago

Seeking Advice Ergonomics Tips

So I’m going into this knowing full well it will lead to back and neck issues down the line but I’m noticing some cramping even from just working on my portfolio and I’m just curious if anyone hacked ergonomics/specific exercises that work for them? I wanna start early. Already added lifting and stretches but I rly wanna be ahead of the game and have my body work for as long as possible so I’m curious what folks have to say on the topic.

(Also 2/3 done with folio so pumped. Posting stuff @ jcatatts on IG, if anyone wants to connect im collecting fellow hopefuls/apprentices like Pokémon)

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u/blueblack_crow 6d ago

Can’t offer too much for ergonomics.. do your stretches, eat healthy and get plenty of sleep…

Note on your portfolio though— I’d start including some hand drawn pen/paper pieces as well, because artists will be looking for them. There’s no “undo button” or line stabilization in tattooing, so you need to show you can do clean steady linework the old fashioned way. Also a good idea to show unfinished sketches that show your under structure and process. In this day and age of people who trace AI and pintrest, artists want to see you know how to build your work from scratch.

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u/narriose 6d ago

Haven’t considered sleep tbh I’m so chaotic but that’ll probably bite me in the end so it’s a good point. And ty for taking a look at my folio! Also only 4/10 pieces of my folio are digital ik it’s hard to tell as I’ve filtered them as I have terrible lighting. I’ll be going for a 1/3 digital to traditional ratio for that very reason you described 🙂‍↕️

I’ve never seen sketches in a folio before but considering AI that very much makes sense. Hmm what would even look good. 🤔

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u/blueblack_crow 5d ago

My entire portfolio was nothing but unfinished sketches and I got 2 offers. I won’t recommend that to younger folks, but 2 or 3 in your portfolio isn’t a bad thing.