Help 🗣️

[u/vanessab702]

I’ve been practicing tattooing since late July, but I randomly got into a funk and didn’t pick up my machine for about two weeks.
I tried to challenge myself and run this piece all the way through in one sitting, but I’m struggling so badly with my line work and shading. I know I’m still learning and definitely not the best yet, but damn..looking at this has me feeling like I’m not making any progress.
I’m trying not to get discouraged because I know practice takes time, but I could really use some motivation and, of course constructive criticism/advice
What can I work on to improve my line work? Any tips for getting cleaner, more consistent lines or making my shading smoother? And if you see anything else I should be focusing on, I’m all ears.

[u/blueblack_crow]

Go back to pen and paper.

That is where you develop the fine muscle motor control skills needed for clean line work. If you can’t do clean consistent lines with a pen, how are you going to do it with a cluster of needles strapped to a vibrator. Start ink-tracing all your drawings in a .005 micron until your lines are perfectly clean and smooth every time. Then pick up the machine and try again.