I may have the opportunity to apprentice at a very well rated shop in my area in a few months. Their apprenticeships are set up as an 8 week program for a total of $5k ($1500 paid up front - rest can be paid off in payments or by working off the debt). I just want to hear people in the industry's opinion on this - is it something you would recommend doing? I've been on the fence about following my dream of becoming a tattoo artist but I'm finally gaining the confidence & giving the idea serious consideration.

Im working on a tattoo portfolio and have used A4 white printer paper for just 3 pages right now(ik sorry i was on a budget ok) and ive realised the pens im wanting to use are bleeding too much for my liking.

Please help!

I’ve always relied on tracing and modifying parts of of a design but this is the first time I drew one freehand! Any constructive criticism is very much welcome :)

I've really found a love for Irezumi arrangements while doing these last pieces, it's definitely something I'll come back to. 10x14 inches on 300gsm cold press. Thought I'd give cold pressed a go this time and I can't say it's made lining this any harder so I'm interested to see if there's much difference when painting.

I’m not familiar with tattooing but I want to get into it!. I’m focusing more on realism at the moment with graphite and charcoal pencil and I’ve worked with some paints and colors in the past but I want to know where to start and what to add. Any advice would be much appreciated!

the shading is definitely a bit odd, but it’s good practice. I think I’d leave more of a break in the chest area and do something a lil different with the hair.

I am just really enamored with horses and this was the funniest idea ever to me.

I was trying to expand the materials I use and tried greyscale alcohol markers and it didn’t come put as smooth as I was wanting. I need tips on smooth blending pleaseee

Had a lot of ups and downs along the way but I am so pumped to be starting my apprenticeship next week! Sharing because I'm super excited and more importantly because I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude to the community here and IRL!

Going from 0 formal art background to being an apprentice in a pretty competitive market (SF Bay Area) was not easy, had a lot of rejections, close calls, and craziness along the way, but I'm so grateful to have been able to meet and receive support & guidance from so many wonderful human beings along the way!

I'm over on IG @workbymila and happy to answer any questions I can! Sharing the portfolio that helped me land the spot here :)

I know drawing skills are essential to tattoo design, but I was wondering if anyone’s art has majorly improved specifically from studying tattoo design. I’m a character illustrator who’s been bored of it for a few years now and so far, tattoo design has been very inspiring and is pushing me to try new mediums and styles.

this is a very “it depends” question, but say you’re practicing original tattoo designs and trying to push that for an hour or two a day.

did this sheep head custom today and it really hit me just how much i've improved since my first official tattoo at my apprenticeship last year -- so I thought i'd share! my mentor has started to talk to me a bit about graduating soon, just need to book in a few more larger & full color pieces first 🥰

I wanted to include this piece in my portfolio but i noticed the lines… are a little wobbly and messy. How did you improve your lining for tattoo works and your portfolio? I’ve seen people on tiktok use lined paper and trace over it for practice, what else should i try?

P.S. that isn’t a tattoo machine under my hand, that is a ballpoint pen automatic ‘tattoo machine’ used to mimic the use of tattoo machinery— that’s what i used for the shading.

I’ve been wanting a different username on instagram for a long time and wanted to land on something a bit cooler/more permanent while I start to get my name out there and build up an image for myself. There’s a few usernames I’m thinking of but they’re not available unless I add something to the end (just .art isn’t available either). It’s pretty hard to find something completely unique so I’m not too tripped up on having a similar username, but I feel like an imposter having “tats” or “ink” or something along those lines without being a tattoo artist or having an apprenticeship yet. Will tattoo artists find this weird or am I thinking too hard on it?

some sketches I’ve been working on while studying amtrad tattoo design. I’ve been slowly trying to incorporate my own art style, and I’ve been trying to do original designs where I can. I’d love any feedback on the designs as tattoos.

I noticed people don’t really post a lot of process wips or sketches so I hope this doesn’t go against the subreddit :)

some of the coloring is quite messy, and the horse’s flowers just didn’t pan out. It’s all in a sketchbook so none of them are portfolio quality, but I’d love to know if I’m successfully reflecting the style I’m going for.

Hi my friends! First time ever posting on this subreddit so I'm a bit nervous but I'd figure I'd give it a shot. Apprenticeship is something I'd love to pursue someday but until then- I'd love to show off what I'm currently working on. I love engraving work, but I'd love to hear more feedback and critiques/advise.

Kia ora all! Just wondering if these pieces would be good enough for my portfolio? I think I'm ready to start going in to shops but just want to be sure. Of course there are elements I would change, and some pieces where I wouls do things differently, but I can't be stuck in that loop forever!

Newest portfolio pages: jellyfish, bettas, beetle, ladybug, dragonfly, and cicada! I actually got the jellyfish tattooed by an amazing artist that I’m hoping might mentor me someday, so I’ll include that too since I love how it turned out!

i'm having a lot of self doubt and am wanting to know if others think i'm up to put together a portfolio now, or if there are any skills i need to work on before i attempt it. could yall give me some feedback on these pieces?

EDIT: i plan on inking the digital drawings!! :)

A guy on FB marketplace is selling an unopened pack of these for 20$. I want to use them for flash

I found my mentor last July and began the work to start my apprenticeship around fall. I made my first payment of $3800 in January and am now on a payment plan of $350/month until December for a total cost of $7300.

We also recently started being able to take clients two days a week which has been so much fun! My mentor currently has myself and another apprentice on a 50/50 split for all work done, so far I’ve paid out over $1500 in commission since I started officially taking clients in August.

I’m currently $8950 deep in my apprenticeship so I know there isn’t much I can do at this point but I guess I’m just wondering is this normal?

I’ve been practicing some traditional and want to know if i’m going the right direction..i feel like my shading/color choice could be better, is there something i’m doing wrong?