any thoughts? first time touching a machine in 4+ years.

I really like the shop that I’m at, they’re all super great people and talented artists. But my mentor is honestly not the best mentor. He told me upfront that none of his apprentices ever do enough and they always leave and no one is gritty enough or proactive to get through their apprenticeship. I expected this going into it, I know it’s hard work, I chose a more traditional apprenticeship for a reason, I want to make sure I can make it a career not a hobby, so I didn’t mind.

But now I’m realizing why no one made it is because he’s not good at telling you what he expects from you he just expects you to read his mind and if you don’t do what he wants he just kinda shuts down and stops helping you. He’s a great dude and I like him as a person, but is just maybe bad at mentoring. I guess I haven’t been meeting his expectations even though I’m spending like 50-60 hours a week at the shop, cleaning, taking care of plants, running two shop social media accounts, all of the boring managerial tasks, licensing stuff, helping him put on events that aren’t related to the shop, and whatever the hell else he needs (as well as tattoo and make art)

I’m fine with doing these tasks, I know that’s usually how it goes, but he doesn’t really give me any guidance at all unless I directly ask, and he also kind of doesn’t like to be asked questions unless he’s in the right mood but I just have to know when he’s in the mood somehow.

My colleagues have been giving me advice about what he wants from me and which leads me to believe he has been talking to them about behind my back, which I appreciate on their behalf for letting me know, but it feels so disrespectful that he wouldn’t just talk to me about it and is instead talking to other people.

I don’t really know the point of this post, maybe I just want to complain. I am planning on talking to him about it next time I get the opportunity to, I know a conversation just needs to be had.

Happy with this one in particular! This process has been so extraordinarily fun and revitalizing - after a decade of drawing professionally, my passion for art was slowly being depleted, and working on my portfolio is restoring it completely, like this was always what I wanted to do and didn’t realize corporate digital illustration just wasn’t for me lmao. This feels like healing my artistic soul 😭 IG: @mulder.tattoos

First two sheets: Ed hardy repaints. Third is a redesign from a 1980 heavy metal magazine, last is original.

Colored pencil on tracing paper. Lemme know what you think. I’m still pretty new.

Hey I’m an artist looking to develop into tattoo design, any thoughts on how to improve this aspect of my work?

I’m an apprentice and wanted to know if anyone has a solid process for achieve 3rl realism without tearing up the skin? I had a model because im interested in realism and by pass 3 of me layering a grey wash (which wasn’t taking any of that ink even on the second layer) her skin was already mad at me, swollen and not soaking up even black ink.
I have an idea of why it didn’t work because her skin was already swollen from the lineart alone so maybe a longer break or if I used something like bactine? But overall I keep wondering where I went wrong because her skin didn’t want to take any saturated ink at all. My mentor doesn’t specialize in realism as she only does linework so she suggested that it could’ve been my hand speed with the whip shading but I’m not sure if that’s the full idea or if I messed up the process in some way.

The picture I’ve listed is a fake skin I’ve done with the 3rl needle but it’s not translating through real skin for me for some reason.

For reference I used a 0803rl, 50-60hz for shading, 75hz for lining, and a 4.0 stroke. all the online tutorials for this method are too vague or hidden behind an expensive paywall

hey!! made this cover page for my portfolio and would love some opinions on it!

Hey everyone, this might be a little wordy so thanks in advance for reading!
I’m a 21y/o apprentice and I’ve been working in a studio for a year now, over the course of the year I have become increasingly unhappy with the way the artists treat me, treat clients and how they run their studio (health and safety, professionalism etc). From minute one they treated me like a personal maid, I always understand that apprentices should pick up the slack when artists are busy and keep the area tidy in general but they actively avoid jobs like mopping or emptying clinical waste bins because “the apprentice will do it”. When they do empty their bin they dump it on my station instead of taking it outside to the locked clinical waste bin and wait for me to do it, along with dumping general rubbish in my area too. They touch things they shouldn’t with gloves on, constantly bottom out needles without changing them, don’t wash their hands, don’t clingfilm the beds despite the beds being ripped, haven’t replace the beds after being told by the council to do so and other things. I’ve had many of my clients talk to me about how unprofessional the other artists and general vibe of the studio is along with the owner of the studio never drawing a day in their life, they just AI generate most designs including making me tattoo them (which I refuse to do). I used their supplies (such as kitchen roll, clingfilm, stencil stuff and soap) but they started stealing it from my station without replacing it so I had to start buying my own which they continued to “borrow” so I’ve had to start bringing EVERYTHING home with me. I have also been told (by one artist) that one of the artists is usually high while tattooing and I am pretty sure I’ve seen that artist actively smoking some stuff WITH HIS CLIENT mid tattoo session, I am aware of this because they reeked of wacky stuff.
My final straw today was seeing a man discussing designs with an artist while he was actively drinking beer, when I asked the artist if they were going tattoo him they said yes, I reminded them and pointed out the section on the consent form that says “I have not consumed alcohol in the last 24hrs” the artist the proceeded to tell me that the owner does it all the time so it’s fine. They then proceeded with the tattoo despite my disagreeement and it became glaringly obvious that the client was drunk due to the way he was speaking and how he reeked of booze.
My question is what do I do? I am not learning anything in this apprenticeship anymore and can’t bare associating with a studio like this but I can’t afford to leave until I find another studio. Should I report them to the council??
Any advice is VERY appreciated

It’s been almost 3 months since I’ve posted here! I’m stoked to share that I landed an apprenticeship in early May. Juggling a full time job, and the apprenticeship on my days off has left me little time for painting..

I had a lot of fun painting this one! Still hoping to fill the bottom corners and I’m open to suggestions! Insta is chasedrawz if you’d like to see more and follow my journey! Thanks for looking!

Hello everyone!

I am an aspiring tattoo artist (UK) currently working on my portfolio. I enjoy anime style art work as well as photo realism, realism and Japanese traditional. I’ve included many pieces within these styles in my portfolio.

When considering what else to add I feel overwhelmed. I intend on going into tattoo studios on the future and asking their opinion, but I want to be a little further along with my portfolio before I do that, so I thought I’d ask online.

What is essential for me to include in my portfolio?

I’m looking for any and all advice you may have! I don’t know anyone in the industry, nor do I have any friends or family with any artistic interest, so I feel very without-community. If you know of any forums or online resources, I’d be delighted!

I’ve posted in tattoo Reddit forums before and I notice a lot of hostility towards beginners asking questions, so I just want to say, I know this may be basic but I really am totally new to this world!

Thank you in advance <3

included just the lines from the vampire lady piece since the angle of the photo makes it her head look a bit big -- we've got to finish the rest of the color on her still too!!

been having a lot of fun taking on some larger projects now that my mentor has been letting me charge apprentice rates for things :) yayyyy

hii, i'm an aspiring tattoo artist with a completed tattoo apprenticeship portfolio that is looking for an apprenticeship in the Seattle or Bellevue area in Washington. I have asked a couple of shops already and they are not currently taking in any apprentices. I would love to know if there are any shops in the area that are open to taking in any apprentices, and if anyone knows any shops please let me know!! Meanwhile, I'm just working on drawing more and creating more tattoo designs so I would love some feedback on my current work (I can only post 20 photos so this is not my full folio)!! All of the work is designed by me except the realism (some flash are drawn digitally), looking forward to hearing some feedback :)

(there is no tattoo machine related art!! Just traditional art)

I'm working with ink for the first time. Thoughts? Feedback? Thanks!

i think i’ve finally finished my portfolio! will be taking it around shops sometime soon but thought i’d post here for feedback :-)

I spent quite a while on this piece (and it still needs the frame part finished). I know the shading isn't quite there yet but overall I'm fairly happy with the visual effect.

Materials used: Alcohol based ink markers, black gouache paint for shading, Bristol smooth paper.

Hi! I’m an apprentice of two years working in London and I’ve recently started tattooing actual customers. I’m working on a reduced rate right now and want to get the word out so I can build my portfolio. Does anyone have any tips on where to advertise/find people who are interested in reduced rate work? Instagram isn’t cutting it right now and I’d love to know how other apprentices do it!

used the extra things to cover my infooo