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pajama · 09-19-2010, 07:27 PM

First. Don't go get a tattoo just because you think you need one to be an artist. Tattoos should be special to you (because they are 'forever') so if yo want to wait for the right one, then do. One of the best artists I've ever seen, has ZERO tattoos himself. He is highly respected in the area and has done tattoos for alot of name musicians.

I see you're from Australia, I don't know what their laws/requirements are. Here in TN anyone wanting to be an artist has to apprentice for two years. This is even if you've been an artist for years somewhere else. You still have to apprentice in this state to get a license from this state. (Lame law IMHO.)

Part of being a good artist, that comes with the practice of the apprenticeship, is knowing how deep to lay the ink. I say this because if you lay it too shallow, it will fade quickly. If you lay it to deep, it may cause unwanted scaring (believe me, I know). So not only is the ability to draw and have a steady hand important, you have to know the neuances of the flesh you are working on. Scar tissue, moles, etc hold ink differently and feel different to lay the ink in. Another skill, is knowing how to blend the ink with water to get shades of gray. It amazes me to watch my artist do this and shade my pieces.

While you could draw art and sell it (the art on the walls and stuff is called Flash btw), there really isn't that much money in it. The big money comes from building clientel that have you work on them for years (like me). I'm quite sure that my mermaid half-sleeve put the downpayment on my artist's home. LOL I probably have over $5-6,000 invested in my skin. Or like one of the guys in my local shop does, he won't do big pieces, he just does the frat boys and sorority girls that want little cherries, or their frat letters, or the blue birds, etc. Small, quick, and around $70-100. He knocks out 4 or 5 a night and is done for the day.

I think if you are an artist of other mediums, tattooing is a good way to help pay the bills.

Hope this helps.
A (whose been a collector for 20 years)

09-19-2010, 07:27 PM	#9
pajama Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Klingon Preferred Pronoun?: She Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Just South of Nashvegas Baby Posts: 3,115 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,546 Thanked 7,476 Times in 1,808 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	First. Don't go get a tattoo just because you think you need one to be an artist. Tattoos should be special to you (because they are 'forever') so if yo want to wait for the right one, then do. One of the best artists I've ever seen, has ZERO tattoos himself. He is highly respected in the area and has done tattoos for alot of name musicians. I see you're from Australia, I don't know what their laws/requirements are. Here in TN anyone wanting to be an artist has to apprentice for two years. This is even if you've been an artist for years somewhere else. You still have to apprentice in this state to get a license from this state. (Lame law IMHO.) Part of being a good artist, that comes with the practice of the apprenticeship, is knowing how deep to lay the ink. I say this because if you lay it too shallow, it will fade quickly. If you lay it to deep, it may cause unwanted scaring (believe me, I know). So not only is the ability to draw and have a steady hand important, you have to know the neuances of the flesh you are working on. Scar tissue, moles, etc hold ink differently and feel different to lay the ink in. Another skill, is knowing how to blend the ink with water to get shades of gray. It amazes me to watch my artist do this and shade my pieces. While you could draw art and sell it (the art on the walls and stuff is called Flash btw), there really isn't that much money in it. The big money comes from building clientel that have you work on them for years (like me). I'm quite sure that my mermaid half-sleeve put the downpayment on my artist's home. LOL I probably have over $5-6,000 invested in my skin. Or like one of the guys in my local shop does, he won't do big pieces, he just does the frat boys and sorority girls that want little cherries, or their frat letters, or the blue birds, etc. Small, quick, and around $70-100. He knocks out 4 or 5 a night and is done for the day. I think if you are an artist of other mediums, tattooing is a good way to help pay the bills. Hope this helps. A (whose been a collector for 20 years)