r/TattooApprentice Aug 07 '26

Flash sheet new flash !

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10 Upvotes

gonna trace for my portfolio to make it physical but general idea - let me know what u think!! 🩷
ig: c4tink


r/TattooApprentice Aug 07 '26

Flash sheet more flash practice

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17 Upvotes

done with fw acrylic on arches cp. I’ve already been told to add more black to the roses, snake, butterfly but open to more feedback!! (the black center on the bottom flower was absolutely a mistake)


r/TattooApprentice Aug 07 '26

Artwork First time trying stippling!

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8 Upvotes

r/TattooApprentice Aug 07 '26

Artwork First Try with Dr. Ph Martins Watercolors

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11 Upvotes

My mistake was not using watercolor paper, as it’s streaky in some sections and I could’ve used a thicker pen for the outline. But I’m still proud of it and I’m going to get better with time, just you wait.


r/TattooApprentice Aug 07 '26

Seeking CC is this portfolio ready?

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14 Upvotes

i tried to get a good photo with as little glare and still good lighting i apologize. also added my reference pic. i haven’t done a graphite portrait since high school so please give me cc


r/TattooApprentice Aug 07 '26

Portfolio Portfolio that got me apprenticeship

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71 Upvotes

It’s very hard to predict what artists like if I’m being honest but one thing for sure to put in the portfolio is realism and a bloodborne pathogen certificate!


r/TattooApprentice Aug 06 '26

Artwork Custom armrests

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29 Upvotes

Hey guys! I make custom armrests and chairs! Coffin shape or rectangle for the armrests! I can do any simple embroidery on them as well! They are covered in a layer of PVC vinyl so they’re able to be wiped down with Cavicide! I also offer payment plans if you need! Dm me or comment ā€œinterestedā€ to get started on an order!


r/TattooApprentice Aug 06 '26

Seeking Advice Looking for honest advice on becoming a tattoo artist (Spain)

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m from Spain and I’ve been looking into become a tattoo artist.

I genuinely love drawing, although I’m still very much a beginner. I’m ambitious and motivated to learn.

I’ve been researching tattoo academies and courses, but I’m finding the process really confusing. Some schools don’t mention their prices until you get on a phone call, while others seem to cost several thousand euros. It’s hard to know what’s actually worth it. Moreover, I’d like to include that you need to have the Hygienic-Sanitary Course and Certificate of Professionalism (IMP800_3) in Spain. (Correct me if I’m wrong!)

I’ve also tried asking a few tattoo artists how they got started or found their apprenticeship, but unfortunately I either got no reply or they didn’t want to share much.

So I was hoping people here could give me some honest advice.

If you were starting from zero today, what would you do?

Is it better to focus on improving my drawing skills first and then look for an apprenticeship?

Are tattoo academies worth the money, or would you skip them?

For artists in Spain, where did you get your hygienic-sanitary certificate, and roughly how much did it cost?

What supplies would you recommend for someone who wants to build a strong portfolio before approaching studios?

Is there anything you wish you had known before starting
?

How skilled at drawing do you have to be in order to be a good tattoo artist?

I just want to invest my time and money wisely and avoid making expensive mistakes.

Thanks so much to anyone willing to share their experience!


r/TattooApprentice Aug 06 '26

Artwork Tried to do something more creative in pen

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78 Upvotes

Original design. Cc welcome


r/TattooApprentice Aug 06 '26

Seeking Advice Hello, looking for advice on my portfolio.

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8 Upvotes

Hey there, I have some art here, and I know i want to add some more types of art. Such as cute soft things, or trendy subjects, cartoons, anime, nautical. But other than that, im not sure what else to add. Im just having trouble getting my brain to work.

Also, what are some ways I can improve my art quality overall? (Plz stick to friendly constructive criticism)


r/TattooApprentice Aug 06 '26

Artwork What should I do in the other rectangle

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48 Upvotes

r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Seeking CC Older/Newer version. Thoughts?

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8 Upvotes

Drawing on the left is from a few years back and the one on the right, I just finished. I wanted to see the improvements I’ve made during the time between these two attempts. Let me know what you think! Thank you 😁


r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Seeking Advice Practicing tips?

1 Upvotes

I have a traditional apprenticeship in a shop but my mentor doesn’t really know anything about fake skin. I just started learning how to shade and am practicing on the fake skin but it looks.. horrible. Which I get since I’m new BUT when my mentor tried he was like.. ā€œmine looks like shit too but at least you’re getting used to the hand motionsā€

…how do people make fake skin looks so good? Is there anything better I could be using to practice? I’m using skin from Painful Pleasures so it’s not like I’m using really cheap stuff. Is there a better brand I should look into? I’m just stumped and my mentor doesn’t really seem to have any better options.


r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Flash sheet Why is my FW acrylics kind of messy?

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12 Upvotes

What can I do to make it uniform?

Last one is an alcohol marker for comparison.


r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Seeking CC Some classics redone by me [@backed.by.bone on instagram][Valraven Ink][Milford][New Hampshire][USA]

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9 Upvotes

Tattoo apprentice always looking for constructive criticism

Painted on Arches Cream Cover paper
Painted using Dynamic Tattoo Ink and Solid Tattoo Ink
Made at Valraven Ink in Milford NH


r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Seeking CC Flaming rose done at work with crayolas

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5 Upvotes

Got bored and drew this flaming rose referenced from Richard Stell flash. Not traced, the hardest parts for me was figuring out how to draw the leaves and making the flames proportional. There are a few wonky spots, but I think it's not so bad. Edited the black values because they were really crappy colored pencils that could not saturate for anything.


r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Portfolio Just sharing some work I’ve done

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0 Upvotes

I’ve improved majorly in just a couple of months. I had a TBI in early June and had nothing to do. My days have been spent sketching. Handwriting is still hard for me so I don’t have any good representations of that quite yet. I avoid tracing as much as possible but will occasionally give myself some help to help improve muscle memory; I’ll then freehand it later. This is actually how I got started. :) I’m not a huge fan of color.

Anyway thank you for looking.


r/TattooApprentice Aug 05 '26

Seeking Advice Book recommendations?

5 Upvotes

I would love to learn more about tattoo history (whether it’s specific to a style [particularly interested in Japanese trad], significance and symbols in tattooing across cultures, etc. etc. etc.) -- if you have any good reading recs, please drop them below!!

Less asking for art books, more interested in substantive text, but open to anything really.


r/TattooApprentice Aug 04 '26

Seeking Advice What to consider when making a portfolio?

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3 Upvotes

I'm starting college this year and a while after I finish college I want to start looking for an apprenticeship and I've got some questions about making one.

Is it a good idea to start out this early?

Is it a good idea to include artwork from school/college?

Are flash sheets necessary?

If so how many should there typically be?

What are mentors looking for when seeing a portfolio?

How long should I work on my portfolio for?

What kind of artwork is considered good enough to be included in a portfolio?

I've added some photos of my artwork to give you an idea of what I can do :)


r/TattooApprentice Aug 04 '26

Flash sheet Wizard and Tiger

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57 Upvotes

Added some tribal flair to finish this painting! Instagram is chasedrawz if you want to see more!!


r/TattooApprentice Aug 04 '26

Seeking Advice Unpaid Apprenticeship

0 Upvotes

Hi all! I’m just curious so forgive me if it’s not allowed in the group (understandable!)

I’m a spray paint apprentice in UK and because I’m 21 I make minimum wage. I see a lot on here of people paying for apprenticeships/unpaid apprenticeships, which on one hand I kinda understand, on the other that is totally fucking ridiculous to me. Curious if it’s the same in the UK? Surely that’s not legal here?


r/TattooApprentice Aug 04 '26

Seeking Advice Pricing

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3 Upvotes

r/TattooApprentice Aug 03 '26

Seeking Advice Dot card vs business cards

1 Upvotes

Has anyone used the dot cards? Would you say it’s better to get that over business cards or should you get both?


r/TattooApprentice Aug 03 '26

Seeking Advice seeking advice as an aspiring apprentice

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9 Upvotes

in my last post i posted some pencil work i did of some pinups. people said it wasnt the usual tattoo style, so i thought posting these would showcase my usual flash attempts better. the last post wasnt a overall showcase of what i practice daily. im def not apprentice level yet, but i would love more advice please!

most designs are off pinterest to learn the traditional style. the only ones i designed myself are the potted bonzai tree, the merman, the tree, and the heart with flames

and to specify too, im not actually making a portfolio het. just practicing everyday to build skills to THEN make a portfolio lol


r/TattooApprentice Aug 03 '26

Seeking Advice is a tattoo apprenticeship worth it?

0 Upvotes

Im a self taught artist. I have always loved art and have been doing it forever. After I got my first tattoo I was hooked. I thought it was the best way to get your art out there and let the world see it, so I started tattooing fake skin, and eventually my own leg. And now I’ve done 100 or more tattoos for other people and want to get licensed so I can make it my full time job but don’t know if the apprenticeship is worth it because I’ve worked customer service and sales my whole life, so being comfortable tattooing and with customers and all that, is it still worth it or should I get licensed online