✅Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/daveinks.88/ ✅Art-Something Tattoo Podcast!: artsomethingtattoopodcast.buzzsprout.com ✅ PATREON FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: www.patreon.com/ArtSomething All the videos will still be free on RU-vid I will just be offering early access and a little behind the scenes in the future. ✅Also I have added some links to "some" of the equipment and supplies I use that are obtainable from Amazon. I will keep updating the list as I try new things. Not all the equipment I use is available on amazon but I will do my best to link you guys with new equipment and supplies as time goes on. Thanks again everyone for watching!! You guys and gals are amazing!! 🤘
It’s funny because I started tattooing on people immediately and did beautiful work but later when I started tattooing myself I gave myself all mediocre tattoos lol
I love the fact someone is being real and teaching. I've been an artist for decades but when I ask tattoo artist questions they immediately take offense to it. Thank you so much for taking your time to help other artists.
No probelm Josh!! 👍 I know people out there are trying to learn so I figured lets start them off right or at least with a step up. I'm happy you are enjoying the content. Thanks again josh !! 🤘🤘
I've been drawing and painting for close to 15 years, therefore have a good grasp over shading and proportions. 4 years ago, I got a couple of coil machines. I hated the coil machine experience, and quit after 4 tattoos. Apprenticeship is not a thing in my country and I felt like I was in complete dark about machines, needles and other technical aspects because there were hardly any tutorials. Last week I got my new rotary pen machine. And thanks to people like you, I can confidently begin tattooing again. Your videos cover so much and in such detail, making it all very easy to understand. You may have given a long struggling artist means to survive and put food on their plate. I am truly grateful for your videos. One day, hopefully, I will begin a trend to mentor passionate and skilled apprentices for free, in my country. Your videos inspire kindness.
i wish my tattoo artist was as friendly and welcoming as you. I always wanted to be an artist myself, but it seems barely any tattoo artists ever want to teach or answer questions . my first tattoo appointment was dreadful, they were so rude and condescending.
Yeah tattooing can be a tough industry to get into. As most don’t want any more competition. Other artist also worry about people getting others sick and hurting the Industry. So there are some downfalls to learning on your own but as long as you keep clean and do things to the best of your abilities I believe you’ll be all right. I appreciate you watch in Shelby and thank you so much for your support!!! 🤘🤘
Yo dude, just wanna say I've searched and watched a ton a videos on tattooing but I find yours and tattoo university the most informative ones. I've been drawing/painting fine art for years and recently picked up a machine AND tattoo'd (?) myself yesterday, definitely the best practice and I love that I can go back and finish/fix stuff whenever I like. Keep up the videos mate, great quality!
Wow that's awesome to hear Pierce! Yeah it's important to get comfortable with the machine on practice material but there really is nothing like skin. And there isn't a better feeling then making a clean tattoo on skin. I'm happy to hear you got to experience that. And I'm sure with a fine art back round you will really enjoy the craft. Once the skills and fundamentals are in place (the boring but necessary ones lol) then the sky is the limit and more you get to learn and appreciate the craft more and more. Thanks for watching Pierce appreciate the support! 🤘
I have been watching ALOT of tattoo tutorial videos since my hubby surprised me with a kit for my birthday. I have always wanted to be a tattoo artist. I spent a lot of my time looking for someone to apprentice under, but 20 years ago, no-one seemed to want to take on a female apprentice. I am LOVING this journey, and YOUR videos in particular are helping SO MUCH!! Thank you for being, well you! Your approach and attitude make it so easy to follow and to want to move forward! I have certainly excelled in skill and confidence thanks to your teachings.
Oh wow that is soooo AWESOME to hear Jo!!! 🤘👍🤘 And so glad that the videos are helping you out!! It's a shame cause females are some of the greatest artists so I wish you nothing but the absolute best as you continue down this exciting journey!!! 🤘🤘 By the sounds of things you are well on your way!! SO enjoy the ride!! 🤙
Best channel I found! My partner decided he wants to buy a full equipment for me to learn tattooing and eventually tat him. I spent years in art school so I’m confident with my art but this is something completely new. I’m skeptical but interested in learning and hopefully one day be able to tattoo someone, not professionally since I’m already in my dream profession (interior design) but privately. Both myself and my partner have tattoos so it’s not a foreign subject to us. I been watching your vids for days now and already feel so much more educated I can’t wait to put in into practice 👌🏻👌🏻 thanks for teaching us 💪🏻🤟🏼
Thats awesome to hear adrianna!! And congrats on your dream job of interior design!! Always great to hear when people find their passion so congrats to that!! 🤘🤘 And im happy to know that the vids have prepared you for this new challenge of tattooing. I wish you the best of luck and Keep ROcking!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
And here I am, a pig farmer who has decided to tattoo (partially because of my access to pig skin), and just bought a machine and all the equipment to do it safely yesterday. Kinda felt like you were speaking to me in the beginning there.
Thanks for putting this out. I’m essentially there , in what you’re saying, charging friends for supplies, started in december and done plenty of work on my legs and my wife. I like this kind of videos because the information is out there in this digital age and feels nice to hear working artists share there starting stories, they are basically all the same, “scratchers or apprentice”. Keep them vids coming!
No problem Hampus I'm just glad to hear the videos are helping people out! And sounds like you have set sail on your journey 🤘 And you are right you are either a scratcher or an apprentice. Honestly in the end it doesn't matter if you are a scratcher or not because if the work is good and you are doing things clean and safe then rock on 🤘🤘 Thanks for watching man appreciate it! And best of luck as you move forward in the craft.
@@_moon_eyes Hey nothing wrong with being a scratcher. in fact I hate the word scratcher. It's called at home tattooing in my book. Some great artist started off as "scratchers". It's an old term that I don't think applies. If your working from home then be sterile and safe. Keep on grinding it can be a long road but if you want it you can make it happen!👍👍
@@_moon_eyes it's pretty easy to get a license to tattoo from home in the UK, if you are using the correct equipment sanitation wise, disposable grips etc, I'm going to go for it once "the covid" calms down
I stand by tattooing yourself soooo much, you really learn, especially about needle depth, speed and of course you can see the healing process and see where you f***ed up. I did 2 tattoos on my self before ever tattooing other people, I strongly advise people to do it
Absolutely brother you said it best!! It is imperative that when the time comes you people tattoo their selves first and learn from the piece from start to healed. Thanks Gui I appreciate your support man!! 🤘🤘
You make me feel so much better about wanting to be a tattoo artist. I can’t draw ✍🏻 it really dulls my confidence. But I can design a tattoo other ways. A lot of tattoo artists make you feel bad for that, but art is art, right? The enjoyment is the freedom in it.
I am the same way, I have very basic drawing skills but drawing with a pencil and drawing with Procreate are very very different. It also weighs on my confidence seeing people who can draw crazy realistic stuff, or a certain style they were born with. But I have fun tattooing and you can always rely on thing from cartoons, books, logos, script and many more there are options as an artist
I don't think I'd ever charge money for my tattoos. I started because I like learning new things but I'm glad to see where I stand. Last month I started tattooing myself. My most recent tattoo is the only one my friends have seen (I put it on my lower leg for some reason. Gonna wait until I run out of upper leg next time. My leg kept falling asleep lol). They've said nothing but good things about it-how it looks pretty and that my linework is very consistent. I'm so glad they can't see the mistakes I see. It has a few tiny blowouts and I've been coming up with a game plan to fix it for my next session. They've been asking me to tattoo them and I politely declined. I'm not there yet.
I've been tattooing a week BUT I've been drawing/painting my whole life im only 23 so obviously have a lot of time left to learn but I've been doing it all at my expense no mentors or anything all from home just really practicing another art I have and love tattoos so I've always wanted to give it a shot anyways enough about me I just wanted to thank you, I've been watching all your videos and theyre super helpful and also give me some more confidence to do what I do because at the end of the day I'm my own worst critic people tell me I'm doing great on the skins but personally I don't like them I want them PERFECT but you show me I can relax take my time and have some fun with I thanks for all of these videos super helpful love the content!!!!
It’s really inspiring to see how you came out of the marines and followed your passion later in life despite the additional challenges of learning to tat with a family. Seeing you do that gives a lot of hope that if you can do it with more challenges than a younger person like myself who’s only 19 than it really comes down to how much you want it and eventually through hard work you can do it. Just found your channel and seeing your journey is doing a lot for me and others to I bet. Keep up the great videos and art though dude you got me as a loyal sub👍✌️
Wow thank you soo much for the kind words my friend!👍 I truly believe you can do anything you want in this life, just depends on how hard you are willing to work and how patient your willing to be. You got this man and so many more people got this as well. If you look past the BS it is just a skill we want to learn and then apply our art to the skill once learned. Glad to hear your out there working hard and at 19 years old the sky is the limit my friend. Thank you very much for watching and supporting!!🤘🤘
I have never gotten a tattoo before but wanted to become a tattoo artist, so i bought the kit and tattooed 3 hearts on my thigh. I knew from the very beginning that if i wanted to become a tattoo artist that i needed to know what it felt like, i refused to touch anybody before knowing how it felt. Once my daughter starts school in august i will be going around with my portfolio looking for an apprenticeship. Thank you for your videos, im glad im not going into this completely blind. :)
That’s funny I’m the same way when it comes to some of the RU-vid vids I watch. But I will say after a few months of saying I’m not gonna do that I just like watching it…. Sometimes turns into me trying that out lol. Best of luck and either way I thank you for watching and supporting the channel!🤘🤘
haha word! as someone who's been getting tattooed for 15 years, it's just interesting to see behind the curtain and have a deeper understanding/appreciation for the craft.
I've been watching your videos. My son has been an artist since he was 7. He turns 17 tomorrow and I got him his first machine and everything he needs. He's been wanting to be a tattoo artist for years now. I'm so happy I found your videos and now I sent your videos to him. He's a natural. He started today practicing on skins. He practiced all day! He loves it! I can't wait to see where he takes it. Thank you! Great vids!❤
I agree wholeheartedly about focusing on the work and they will come. Something that rubs me a bit wrong though is a major difference between a quality apprenticeship and self taught... Sanitation. You even touched on it whilst talking about your leg. If your tattooing clients the number one thing should be safety... For you and them. I apprenticed at a famous shop in Vegas. Artists so good they inspire you to quit because they blow you out of the water with their skill. There were apprenticed and self taught artists... The quality of the work was the same. The sanitation was night and day different. If the self taught artists would have had to demonstrate sanitation to the regulators... They would have failed. I know you have a video on this, I haven't watched it yet. Just something to think about. Tattoos are forever. Hepatitis, HIV, etc... That can make someone's forever much shorter. Imo... Proper sanitation Good art Money
Here is a good resource, protrainings.com they have online classes for body artists in Bloodborne Pathogen training to become certified. Very informative will get you on the clean side of tattoo artistry. 👍🏻
I bought a kit about a month ago, before I started watching you I was horrible 😅 but once I saw the techniques I’ve improved so much. Still not where I want to be but I’m getting better. Thank you for making these videos!
WOW that is soo awesome to hear!! 🤘👍 Thank you for sharing that. And don't worry i'm not where I want to be either, but as long as we keep trying and pushing our selves and not letting the imperfections keep us down then we got this! Keep on grinding and don't forget to just enjoy the journey. Thanks for watching Janice I appreciate the support. 🤘
I literally did all this before I watched this video. Feels good I watching this video knowing I went down the right route. Comforting to hear it back. Cheers.
For sure!👍! It's a serious craft, we mark peoples bodies for "life". I just always try to let people know the importance of not rushing and taking things as serious as possible while still enjoying what they are doing and the journey they are on🤘🤘
I know nothing about tattooing, but I’ve been on a binge of watching your videos, and I think I’m about to start learning. Appreciate all the knowledge you’re giving out to us!
Great advice! May the tattoo spirits smile on you and bring you decades of good night's sleep. Asking your mentor when to start practicing on skin is a good choice. Be your own mentor in the absense of one, but be a strick and gentle mentor to yourself. Unlike me, first self mentored then self employed, i learned to hate my boss and my employee.
I like to practice on my legs.. so I can learn how to feel for the sweet spot. I want to find an apprenticeship but it seems ever a lot of shops around here aren’t willing to teach. That’s why I’m soooo grateful I’ve come across your Chanel
Just got my tattoo kit. Originally a face painter looking forward to practicing tattooing. Love the videos and love learning from them. I will keep you posted on my progress!
Had to pause the video just to add this...i came across your channel and videos two days ago...all of your video s are extremely helpful and knowledgeable...I dig your style your delivery you snapback and I also greatly appreciate you making these videos. I've done a couple tats, and it's made the person feel extremely good...I want to put more of this love and greatness out into the world... Guess what I'm trying to say is these videos are a huge help...I appreciate the time energy and effort and not to mention the tips and help... The video on shading...when you made the market mags...very insightful. Thanks dude seriously. Keep feeding my brain my heart and my artist eyes!!
Dude best advice ever for me I've been an artist for years and tattooing has been my passion but don't know how to start or where,im getting into it now but not for the money I want to practice practice practice!!! And get good enough to charge and get clients thanks for the advice!!
Like all you videos, thank you for great advice, nice to be talked to instead of someone telling you what is 100% right, everybody is different and practice in different ways at different times, Thank you again
I just got my tattoo machine ( rotary pen) in 7 days I've done over 30 tattoos on myself.. Not the best at all but getting better. No blown lines no trauma to the skin afew shaky or not flush lines but its getting alot better.... Watched this after so didnt use fruits 😆 good tips an amazing videos. Thank you for taking the take to properly explain. All 30 are on my left leg
Just subscribed! I have been an artist my whole life and always wanted to tattoo. With a kid, 2 self owned businesses, and being a teacher, I dont have time to do an apprenticeship nor do I know if this is a medium I would be good at/enjoy! So thank you for these videos and giving all this great education and insight.
Man, it feels like sitting in a tattoo-learning classroom with all of these video's...Love watching them. Learning alot!!! Thank you so much for the effort!! Really really appreciated! Greetings, all the way from Amsterdam! Mark
Always love your vids. As I've said b4. This as with any type of art is always a learning process. I really love how u simplify and take the time of explains a little more in depth than many others. Thank u for being bso down to earth.
I love watching your videos. I haven’t gotten a machine yet, however it’s in the works of my master plan, so while I’m at a stand still with that, I figured why not go ahead and learn some stuff and I have to say that I’ve watched almost every one of your educational videos as well as many many others, learning the ins and outs before getting my hands on experience. All of my friends have been supportive of me in the idea of getting into tattooing and as you said in a response to another comment, it’s a rough industry to get into so I’m having to learn everything myself, plus this stupid pandemic is making it even harder, but I appreciate your patience with explaining so much about everything you talk about. I also love your funny moments lol they make my day wholesome!
Thank you soo much for your support!! 🤘🙏🤘great to hear your learning as much as you can now before even getting equipment. And yeah it’s not easy getting into the industry but I hope that starts to change as time goes on. Thanks again for the support! Keep learning and keep Rocking 🤘🤘
One good thing, will be if everyone that is starting tattooing is to ask him/her self if they are happy with making that tattoo on their selves. You gave a lot of tips and tricks in your contents. I just started like 1 month and half ago tattooing and I wanted to tell you that after this time tattooing each day like a couple of hours I can see the difference between the beginning and the last tattoo made on fake skin. Unfortunatelly I will be unable to send you one of my fake skins , as I'm located in Romania Europe. But I'm happy to watch your content! Keep going!
Bro I love your outlook on tattooing all together especially on apprenticing to me it seems like Colorado artists are really hard to apprentice for so I mean I gave up and said I'll teach myself I love drawing and I think I can go far, really do appreciate your vids man......id like to see your method on what needles you use and how to improve pulling straight clean lines 👍 keep up the good work man
Sorry to hear you haven't been able to obtain an apprenticeship. But glad to hear you aren't giving up man!👍 And thanks Chris I really do appreciate you watching and supporting the channel!🤘 Oh and Thank you for the video idea as well!!! 🤘
So ive been drawing for a while n love it and everyone says “you should get into tattooing” so i did and your videos are A1 did one yesterday on my sis and not too shaby went off of your stipple video did a skull( as a cover up on wrist) ‘and still i rise’ with a lotus flower at the top on her forearm good voltage and depth but she wasnt good with the pain so it took waaaaaay longer than it should have but im on the right track appreciate what you do my man hell yeah!!!!!!!! Wish i could tag the pics
I have a buddy that makes jewelry for extra cash. He is a sheet metal worker 40+ hrs a week. The way he charges for his jewelry is pretty simple. Cost of material + regular hourly wage (sheet metal worker). If a piece costs $30 in silver and an hour of labor he might charge $60-$80. Good way of thinking about it.
A little over a month and a half ago I started stick and poke tattooing just on myself(I'm not fully worried about how they all come out because to me its all a learning experience). Some of them im so happy with. A few others could use some fixing so they are better. I already have so many people telling me they want tattoos just based on what I've already done/shown off to people and that makes me feel amazing. I'm not even worried about doing it for money yet. I just love doing it and I really hope to learn more so I can move on to machine tattoos
After a wile decided to get a machine since I’m missing 2 dots on a tattoo that I had done couple years ago. Today I tattooed my leg, like you said in the video. Not looking to be a professional. But looking to learn more.
I have spent alot of money on tattoo equipment in hopes of being able to transfer everything I've learnt airbrushing vehicles on to skin, this video was inspiring thank you
Wow that’s cool to hear! I kinda thought about trying airbrushing out myself. Glad to hear the video was inspiring and I with you the best as you continue down this journey 🤘👍🤘🤘
Practice my shade and lines on paper and always drawing shapes. I even found a way of learning which shades. Like in tight areas I do light circles in small areas. And larger areas I do whip shade. And I always go from light to a medium or a medium to a solid dark.
Thank you for everything you do on this channel! I´m 15 right now but i´m so interested in tattooing professional in the future. You´re halping me a lot! As soon as I turn 18 I´ll take a course to actually get a lizenz.
yo i love youre vids and I've learned so much, Im a tattoo artist and I can very much relate, thanks your makin this kind of vids this is my kind of online class every day 😂
Thank you sooo much im very happy to hear your loving the vids!! And glad to hear you can relate. Lets all keep at it keep learning, helping each other and lastly keep Rocking!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
Today I charge $25 hourly, it's time to charge by the piece. I have about 50 tattoos and over 100 hours of tattooing time. Still learning and getting the feel. My shading and line work is on point but my color needs work. My legs are covered with my own work, I have a space on my thigh I've been saving for my 1st portrait.
Great to hear your taking the time to practice on yourself as well. Sounds like your doing things right and taking your time working through the process. Thanks for watching Aaron and I appreciate the support! 🤘🙏
Thank you for this video series!!! I love how you got your first kit from Ebay just like I got mine from bezos... Reach for the stars, tattoo yourself first!
I have found your videos just yesterday and love them already. :) Even though I don't tattoo with machines (I handpoke) I'm really happy that you want to teach us. You're a good soul! Thank you so much!
Aww thank you soo much Sailor I really do appreciate that!! 🙏 I have never tried handpoke tattoos but its nice to know if I need some advise I have people to ask so thank you!! Keep rocking my friend!!🤘🤘
Thank you so much for your videos! I've been considering starting tattooing and have been unsure of how or where to start and you've been so so helpful! Please continue the awesome content, I am your newest fan 😘 much love
Artists or not, the best tattooer (tattooist?) is a good tattoo tech. Fundementals folks. i like the idea of self tattooing. it gives one a light touch. Good advice.
Wow your amazing watching this is literally me right now. Iv watched so many of your videos Iv learnt how to shade, pack colour, stencil. I just wanna say thank you. ❤️
Finally Tatted myself over the summer! Funny I just seen this 🤣. I love this video cause it literally is my thought process towards becoming a tattoo artist.
That's Awesome Lawrence!👍 Spaulding and rogers really helped put machines in peoples hands for a long time. And funny enough I have that tattooing A to Z book (well the digital copy) and have read it front to back. Some stuff is a little out dated but for the most part it is a great read. I'm sure things where a lot different and much harder in the 80s. So props to you Sir! 🤘 And thanks for watching and supporting the channel. Believe me I really appreciate it!🤘🤘
That book is the Bible of old style tattooing. Such a blast reading through it now. A great read for anyone genuinely interested in the tattooing process
Another amazingly informative video from you my guy 🙏🏼 always refreshing to watch your videos since I discovered you. Sent from the higher power to put on for us home artists and those dedicated to bettering the craft. Thank you 🤟🏼
Man that's Awesome I really appreciate that!! 👍👍 Amen brother I'm glad I can help people who are dedicated to doing things right. I know people are gonna tattoo from home, I mean amazon sells machines and pretty much everything you need. SO since I know people can get the equipment and really mess people up I wanted to give them the best chance possible to do things as best they can. Just maybe we can cut down on the number of bad tattoos. And give those who want it bad enough the ability to rise up and make it for themselves. It can seem like a long journey, I know cause I am very much still on the journey, learning as much as I can with every drawing and or tattoo. Well didn't mean to go on so long. But I appreciate you watching and supporting the channel!! 🤘🤘
Thank you TN, really do appreciate the kind words!! 👍👍 And I will continue to drop whatever knowledge I have for whomever is looking for it. Thanks again TN for watching and your support of the channel. 🤘
Hi there, first off many thanks for the content of these videos. Ive been drawing for years and also doing graffiti, have wanted to tattoo since getting my first one back in the 90s. I'm finally taking the plunge and getting a kit. exciting days ahead 😁 I have been studying your vids for the last 2 days and can't thank you enough for your tips and guidance 🙏 practice, practice and more practice is on the cards for me. Looking forward to seeing more tips in your series of amazing videos. Thanks again. 👍👍
Absolutely Carlos you need to enjoy and notice the little improvement. I say that because most of the progress in tattooing comes slow so enjoy it and learn from each tattoo or practice session. Thank you Carlos 👍👍
I absolutely love your videos . You've taught me alot already so far and I love that everything you say I feel on a personal level . Very inspiring!! Thank you for taking time out to make such great videos !
Awesome video, so many great tips to take in as I have just bought my first tattoo gun and wondering where and how to begin. Thanks very much for your videos!
No problem Barnett!! Congrats on the new equipment. I would say be patient and take your time as the more work you put in now the more you will thank yourself latter. Best of luck to you on this journey my friend!! 🤘🤘
@@ArtSomething Thanks, I have been wanting to tattoo for a very long time now but have been putting it off for some time as i dont know how to start out. So sorta just throwing myself in the deep end to get things rolling. I'm in no rush and a bit hesistant to ink up ppl atm but will get there over time. Would love to be able to create some of the best tattoos around being an ultimate goal but yea. I think your videos are the most helpful to me at this stage, cheers bro. (Still trying to figure out how to assemble the machine lol)
