The tattoo artist career
Tattoos and tattoo art are becoming increasingly more popular in this day and age. They are no longer seen as the mark of a criminal or whore, but as artistic self-expression. The tattoo industry is likewise becoming a much more competitive industry, and as a result the career of a tattoo artist has become much more glamorised.
It’s also thanks to popular television shows like LA Ink and Miami Ink, as well as the growing number of celebrities proudly showing off their tattoos, like the Beckhams, Kat Von D, and Robbie Williams. However being a tattoo artist is not all about glamour. While it is a rewarding life choice, becoming a good tattoo artist requires an exceptional amount of hard work and raw talent.
A lot of people these days want to become a tattoo artist, and not many people understand what it takes. It’s not a job you can’t take shortcuts in: tattooing is an art which takes years of practice and experience to refine and perfect. Prospective tattoo artists who lack the ability to draw are extremely disadvantaged. The top tattoo artists are also extremely skilled as artists, and particularly for custom tattoos, there is a huge difference in the quality of tattoos produced by tattoo artists who can actually draw and tattoo artists who can’t.
If you think you have solid drawing and colour sense, the next thing to do is build a portfolio of your artwork and find an apprenticeship under a real tattoo artist. These can sometimes be free, however often they will cost big dollars. This initial investment is inconsequential for those who are passionate and dedicated about being a real tattoo artist, and luckily it stops many non-committed individuals from entering the tattoo industry. However, even for the dedicated tattoo lovers, an apprenticeship is a big sacrifice. Over years, a tattoo apprenticeship can be extremely energy and financially draining.
Perhaps a bigger side of being a tattoo artist is understanding and maintaining proper health regulation in your tattoo studio. Tattoo artists are constantly dealing with other peoples’ blood, so a good tattoo artist needs to know how to safely sterilise all tattoo equipment, as well maintain a clean and non-hazardous working environment. You will need to understand how to protect yourself and your customers from infection, and you will need to ensure that your bio-medical waste is safely disposed of.
A lot of learning and experience goes into making a tattoo artist. Being able to draw is a good start, however not all artists can succeed as tattoo artists. To make it in the competitive and demanding tattoo industry, you need plenty of personal determination and the capacity for continuous learning and hard work.
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