This channel is dedicated to my love for the art, history, tradition and technical side of tattooing. My name is Michael Valdes and I'm a professional Tattoo Artist located in Northern California
Disclaimer: This is not an apprenticeship or a “how to tattoo” channel.
140lb won’t buckle if you use the block correctly. The weight of the paper is its ability to absorb; unless you are layering on gouache, 300lb is not necessary for tattoo flash.
I recommend PH Martins Morning Star as a black alternative. It’s an India ink and is 100% matte. Just something to try if you keep running into shiny blacks when you are inking your flash. 🤙
@@shasommer thanks, I think that higgens is a bit too thin the line tend to spread a bit too much especially on hot press water color paper. I’ll give that stuff a try
I have been drawing flash for 10+ years, you nailed on this video man! I have tried loads of stuff and i would suggest trying out Canson Watercolor paper, not so textured like arches, but it is very nice. Also Posca pens for lining and black shading, their black is very dark. Keep the good work and the tradition alive 😀
I want to start in the world of traditional American tattooing, but I want to start making these designs, to capture the art first on paper, I feel it gives a little more pleasure to see your designs captured not only on the skin of the client. Thanks for this video
Dude fill a cheap felt tip pen with with some Talons indian ink!! like the cheapest dolar store type kids felt tip pens, much better than a calligraphy nib.
This was sooo helpful! All I could find was how to draw such and such. I know how to draw, I just needed tips like you have in this video. So glad I found this and I’d love to see more
Hey man! This is such a awesome video. Ive just recently gotten into American traditional and its history behind it as well. Do you have any advice on flash art placement were the art is spaced out evenly and the art fits in proportion? I have a hard time making that work. Is there a certain measurment method? Or is it just something that you learn over time.
Watched this video a couple weeks ago starting on making flash designs. That arches paper has been a big step up in quality and I’m finally making designs Im proud of.
If you look at my other videos you’ll see I’m starting to do instructional painting videos. There’s only so much information I can put into one video. Thanks for the comment.
Great video. Thanks..fwiw You should try leaving your work sit for at least 24-48 hrs. And then cut it off the block..That will eliminate almost All of that buckling.
Thanks for the tip. I use a light table to transfer the designs but I’ve been thinking about doing it another way or drawing it direct so I can leave it on the block 👍
How do you shade with a ballpoint pen ? Incredible art really enjoyed and being in tattoo studios I did wonder how the flash art was done thanks for the content 😊
Question... Is there a way to do this without putting the brush in your mouth during the shading? I just feel like i cant put myself past that part lol😂
For me it’s just a habit. It’s how I hold the brush 🤣 you can set the shading brush off to the side, or my co worker tapes each brush together making it double sided. Just use water to shade on your clean brush, use a paper towel or something to get the correct amount of water on the brush you need.
Cool man. Please ramp up the content dude I know your busy but really love your vidz also if your ever over in Scotland gimme a shout as I'd love some of that flash done. All the best.@@100tattoo
Thank you for taking the time to share your skills and lessons learned. I found your videos a week ago and am very stoked to see some new content. Very inspirational stuff.
Hand drawn and painted flash has so much more value. Especially for artists that are not yet well established. I feel like it creates security for the client that oh my artist can actually make shit.
Dr martins is dye, it will fade over time. Watercolor is pigment and more light fast from what I’ve heard from older tattoo artists. Dr Martins does fade stupid easy though. Fun to use.
Which colors do you like to use for traditional art? I picked up some of these to see how it works out for me, I like the idea of using them over the dr martens.
