I was 18-19 and the artist said no because he it would be hard to get a regular I thank him til this day until I figured out I wanted to do art lol he was surprised
to hear an anonymous and unfiltered interview with a successful tattooist, see episode fifteen of What The Hell Is My Job!? (its a podcast) We did the interview while she was working on a tattoo!
Tattoo artist make a lot of money. The good ones at least. Working Monday-Friday and charging 2k+ per session ? That’s 40k a month before bills and all that good stuff
A True starement!💯💯...even the most famous artist I've read interviews from said they started off as scratchers or self taught?!?..like wth!? LoL..its def a double standard
@@knowgo411 they prolly don’t like it cuz they know the risk of going to a “scratcher”. Also they prolly get their prices and work compared to a scratcher and get annoyed because of how often it happens and them knowing the difference in levels
Years ago I let my friend do his first tat on my foot and it came out like shit.. 5 years later of learning how to tattoo he's killing the game and I can get awesome, discounted tats for life... There's perks in letting your friends ink you.
I had an artist tell me once that you should start on grapefruit because the skin takes ink similar to human skin. And then work up to pig skin, and then humans. His place wouldn't let him out of an apprenticeship until he could do a high-quality tattoo on himself.
So most of them started as scratchers which is good, cause I hate how current tattoo artist act like they never just bought a machine and started tattooing friends without being in a shop
I guarantee not one ratio artist who uses that term didn’t do exactly what your saying; then they have the balls to talk about another person who’s starting out; if anything they should try to help that person!
@Zanda Williams Yes an No if you think about it once your stencils on the skin it's just tracing the outline, but you have to draw that stencil out so it's a yes you should at least half ass know how to draw so you could draw the stencil with no problem.
@Zanda Williams No just look up easy things to draw an start copying that picture draw it a few times an go on to the next drawing an keep practicing start with easy things an try harder things as you get more an more into it
Gotta thank a supportive ex gf and family for getting me through a full time job, full time apprenticeship, and brain surgery at 22-25 . Had to retire from tattooing and all art because of epilepsy in 2016 but those it lit a treasured part of life I never knew I had
I appreciate a lot of the artists on here and their honesty. I'm self taught and just in it for only a year, and there is a whole lot that I've yet to learn. I hope one day I'll be half as good as these guys.
Watching this makes me want to pick up tattooing again, sadly I had dropped it when I was around 18-19 because of people around me in my family especially my grandma (who is a hardcore christian) telling me that god did not like that and they force fed their religion down my throat. I was scared and didnt want to go to hell, so I left it...I regret it so much. Im currently 24 and I do other stuff like graphic design and illustrate. Its going good but I always do have that itch to pick up tattooing again now that I live on my own and far from them. I love tattoos and got a lot of em.
You miss 100% of shots you dont take. Even though you took this path before, maybe it was just the wrong time for you. I say pick up that hobby again and it might even become your career! Best wishes!
I’m not even going to say you should pick up again. You HAVE to, please for your own sake. You’ll be much happier I promise you that. Now get out there and try to put your foot back down in the industry, good luck!
Have always been interested in becoming a tattoo artist, and man the itch has never gone away. Might as well start getting a portfolio, research and learn like a lot of art disciplines
I never realized how much I relate to Ryan Ashley until now. I’m in art school and I’m in fashion, I’ve always wanted to be a tattoo artist but I’m worried it’s unrealistic and if I can even find a place to apprentice. I’ve drawn and made art my whole life. I love it I love the design aspect and I hope I can find a place that will take me as an apprentice.
This music is just making me want to cry at each of their stories just because of how proud I feel for them in making it. I don’t even know most of them lol
It's quite a contrast seeing Chris Showstoppr with all these random tattoos surrounding the pe'a/malofie which is the traditional Samoan tattoo for men.
Got my first a month ago and ever since I've watched these videos I've been obsessed about getting more. I love arlo, Chris and Ryan Ashley's tattoo's and designs they're really outstanding
im 13 and i love the idea of being a tattoo artist, it just seems like a really fun thing to do and i am always drawing on myself and art is one of the only things im good at in school
If it's something you work on now, just practice and try every type of art you can find, you'll be amazing by the time you're able to apprentice!!! Good luck to you!
I believe in you!! I'm a sophomore in highschool and have no idea what do in my future. My parents want me to get into law, but I would like to do something with art. So I too think I'll be a tattoo artist perhaps. Keep on pursuing what you want to be!
These artists are a work of beauty. I think I may do this after I come back from Sweden. I've always had a thing for art but the idea of someone's art on someone else body is legacy and I want that. I'd love to see my art on someone.
I'm an artist and usually do realism. I have autism and a migraine condition and struggle with normal jobs and have always wanted to be a freelance artist. I've been thinking about being a tattoo artist since I've started planning my first sleeve.
I'm not sure if y'all already have a video about this, but it'd be super cool to hear from these artists what it was like the first time they tattooed someone vs the first time they had an individual client who wanted a completely custom piece.
Well to be fair scratching isnt very good. You wouldnt go to someone who wasnt a nurse to get your shots, tattooing is pretty much the exact same thing. Though I didnt realise how many started off that way either, I'm glad they actually decided to properly learn though, good on them
@@katlynnemitchell9931 well it should be lol. Its a profession that takes time to learn. Why would you trust someone who has only picked up the most affordable tattoo kit from Amazon & decided they were good enough to PERMANEANTLY brand someone's body?
I’m turning 21. I was always into art as a kid but life took a turn and I started doing the wrong things. I’m not that good of a drawer but I have a natural ability to grasp the aspects of it. Been practicing tattooing on fake skin & just gave myself my first one and for a first it came out decent. I plan on teaching myself and learning as much as I can through my research from other artists. I feel like I can do it but just like everyone feels, the world is against me I have doubters. I know I can do it. The only one who can stop me is me, scared, but dedicated
im 22 and on college to become a vet, curently i have like 3 yrs of studies left and i realized that im really not that interested in it, and then i stumbled upon this channel and found a lot of artists in my country, but i still dont think i would do that good of a job, i find my art to be very basic, even tho people say otherwise. Also idk if i should finish school and nurture my artistic side until i have a diploma, or just call it quits and go for it. so i understand and admire your will and dedication!!!
@@jelenaR5 I would say finish off the 3 years so that you always have that as a form of income forever. But also do you what you really love at the same time. It’s always up to the person but if I were you I would still practice. You never know maybe at the end of 3 years of moderate practice you could be so much closer than you you were 3 years before
no no I have no art background too! But I’m 26 now and have picked up art classes to learn how to tattoo. I’m lucky my mentor said we’ll learn art first before we jump to tattoo classes.
I have always loved tattoos. I'm an artist and I have been painting since I was 11 years old. I would say tattoo art is my dream career, but for some reason I see it so far away, like I wouldn't be able to do it. I feel stuck and I just don't know where to start. These stories are pretty great, I hope to have my own story in a couple years.
If it’s something that you truly want, then you have to strive for it. Opportunity doesn’t always knock, sometimes it sits outside the door waiting for you to open it
If I can give you a little advice for an apprenticeship get to know ALOT of people. Ask people where they got their tattoos from, go to shops and get to know the people who work there, hang out with them at the shop, blast your social media with your artwork, get that clout. Because ultimately you never know who you might impress or who you meet. I got my apprenticeship by showing almost every person I met as a cashier at a hardware store who had tattoos. One person happened to BE a tattoo artist and hooked me up with a close friend of his and he got me in the shop. I've noticed with ALOT of apprentices (the ones I know at least) you usually need to have a foot in the door to really get into a shop. But there's so many ways you can get that head start, but you should always have your art ready to show people and bring your portfolio with you (physical or digital). Show your potential, show you want it. And don't expect to tattoo right away either. Expect to learn the front desk and cleaning and bottom line stuff first. There will be times you won't leave until 2-5am. You'll have to have a job job while apprenticing so you can afford the stuff you'll need. Most shops supply basic stuff, but tattoo machines GOOD ones are like $200-800. Don't get those cheap kits for $20. And apprenticeships are LONG. At least here in NY the 3 tiers of actual apprenticing is (minimum): 150 small designs, 500 hours. 150 medium intricate designs, 750 hours. 150 advanced designs 1000 hours. 75 hours observation, 75 hours on sanitation/health/work station setup. And some days at the shop you'll JUST be drawing, not even the stuff required. It's a super cut throat industry. You'll have people judging you, telling you how to do things, breaking you like a horse, but in the end it'll be SO worth it. Good luck with everything and follow my Instagram :) - Shannytatts_x0
I'm the same honestly. I also live in a really small religious city, and the few shops near don't spark my interest enough to put my foot in the door. I also know that I'm probably going to need to have some savings so I can focus on an apprenticeship without worrying about money. So I'm just working myself to the bone saving up, and now I've pushed art out of my life and lost some motivation to do it because I'm scared. Not scared of how good I am, but how to just "network" and talk to people. I have really bad social anxiety. Hopefully I have my own story in a couple years too. Hopefully within the next two years. I see it's been 3 years since you posted, I hope you're closer to it or even already doing it!
I noticed how a lot of tattoo artist were self tough or “scratchers “ yet when people are trying to get into the industry they make it nearly impossible for them... I have always wanted to become a tattoo artist but was to scared from rejection. I raised a family instead I’m 30 now and I really want to work on persuing this dream.
All these people are : hot, talented, and none of them started off the "right" way which makes me so happy as a future tattoo artist who's path is sooo similar
I know awwe Paul Booth "kinda expected too" yeah some young people want it quick at least someone was able to help him in tattooing most people think ya joking.
gonna tell my story because every1 else is: hey. I'm roach. 18. trying to become a tattoo artist because my life at home is HELL and art is an escape for me, and I've been in love with tattooing since...maybe elementary school? if all goes well, I hope by 2020 I'll have an apprenticeship. wish me luck!
It's almost 2020 so I hope you get there and reach it!! I think I might want to be a tattoo artist as well but I'm in highschool and have years ahead of me to go.
In elementary school my friend and I openend our own shop at recess, we had these gel pens and everyday there would be a line waiting for me to draw designs on them, always people would come to me to draw on them. I started tattooing myself and others with stick and pokes as soon as I learned about it. I told my teacher either I was gonna do it with or without him, it was gonna happen either way
I know how to draw, been drawing and painting since a child. Just decided at 23 I might want to be a tattoo artist. I just don’t know where to start🤦🏾♀️
Tay Beauté u got 2 options really buy a kit and try to teach yourself.. this is actually the harder way it’ll take longer in most cases, and u might have drama from messin ppl up. Or u can get an apprenticeship.. it’s not as hard as u think, u can go about it a few ways, but the main thing is have a solid portfolio of art. U can keep going to the same shop to get tattooed build a relationship with them and then just ask, with portfolio in hand. Or u can research a few artists u like and just go with your portfolio in person and see what happens be respectful, don’t explain your pieces as they look, or why the first ones aren’t that good. You’re gonna hear a lot of no’s, even if your good, sometimes when your too good punk ass artists might try to discourage u. Tattoo artists can be assholes because we remember our own struggle to be good then it’s like how dare u ask me for my knowledge, I don’t even want your money.. figure it out. It’s dumb but that’s the mentality a lot of the time.
Any successful tattoo artist that produces clean, quality, hygienic work 'did it the right way' however they got there be it through an apprenticeship or from being a scratcher.
I'm 16 and I have a tattoo machine. I've always drawn and loved tattoos and wanted a load of them all over my body. I have always considered tattooing as a career but I've always doubted myself being very good at it and have always been terrified at becoming an artist and completely fucking it up with shaky hands or something. I have no clue whether I should peruse this career or not but if I do, like I say, I'd just be terrified of fucking a piece up on someone's body.
If I can give you a little advice for an apprenticeship get to know ALOT of people. Ask people where they got their tattoos from, go to shops and get to know the people who work there, hang out with them at the shop, blast your social media with your artwork, get that clout. Because ultimately you never know who you might impress or who you meet. I got my apprenticeship by showing almost every person I met as a cashier at a hardware store who had tattoos. One person happened to BE a tattoo artist and hooked me up with a close friend of his and he got me in the shop. I've noticed with ALOT of apprentices (the ones I know at least) you usually need to have a foot in the door to really get into a shop. But there's so many ways you can get that head start, but you should always have your art ready to show people and bring your portfolio with you (physical or digital). Show your potential, show you want it. And don't expect to tattoo right away either. Expect to learn the front desk and cleaning and bottom line stuff first. There will be times you won't leave until 2-5am. You'll have to have a job job while apprenticing so you can afford the stuff you'll need. Most shops supply basic stuff, but tattoo machines GOOD ones are like $200-800. Don't get those cheap kits for $20. And apprenticeships are LONG. At least here in NY the 3 tiers of actual apprenticing is (minimum): 150 small designs, 500 hours. 150 medium intricate designs, 750 hours. 150 advanced designs 1000 hours. 75 hours observation, 75 hours on sanitation/health/work station setup. And some days at the shop you'll JUST be drawing, not even the stuff required. It's a super cut throat industry. You'll have people judging you, telling you how to do things, breaking you like a horse, but in the end it'll be SO worth it. Good luck with everything and follow my instagram :) - Shannytatts_x0
I'd never say No to any kind of Art that makes people love themselves. Tattoos are important and beautiful and awesome as a medium of expression! I love it, wanna get many...#soon 😍🙀😻👌💯💯💯👍👍👍👍
so basically its the same way most people started getting interested skate boarding or music(starting a band) or all kind of other hobbies for the most part.
I went to art school.dropped out when i finally got an apprenticeship i had to pay for.never got my apprentice license but workes in the shop for 2 and a half years tattooing their.left when i became a longshoreman. Got another apprenticeship for 2years but never got my license.beware of shady buisness owners.old mentor who took money and never got my license wanted me to buy his shop.never did.now i tattoo from my house still and love it.high end clientele off the charts
7:08 When you see something like his left arm, is that basically just a big cover up? Like he had something too dark to cover, but hated it enough that he'd rather just have a black arm? I see stuff like that occasionally, and can't imagine any reason someone would choose to just get a huge section of their body tattooed black. But then people get tattoos I can't imagine everyday, so maybe there's something else to it
I love to draw and stuff, but I could never draw on someone permanently because I don’t think I’d ever be good enough lol, but it sounds like a fun job
I can draw, I got my degree in Illustration close to 2 years ago. I would love to do this but I can't just draw designs off the top of my head, I need some reference images. I'm going into the Royal navy rather than pursuing illustration, but maybe I'll try to teach myself tattooing while I'm there.
