If you love design, art, and drawing,
becoming a professional tattoo artist might be the perfect career choice. However,
while tattooing is a hugely rewarding career choice that allows you to make
connections with people while expressing your creativity, a career as a tattoo
artist does not happen overnight. Becoming a professional tattoo artist can
take time, so it is important that you learn the best path to take to begin
your career soon.
Draw as Much as You
Can
Being a skilled draftsperson is an
essential quality for any successful tattoo artist. The first step in your
career as a tattoo artist needs to be your drawing skills. You should be
practising drawing as much as you possibly can to develop your skills.
As well as practising and developing
your own style, you should also study the drawings of famous tattoo artists.
This will help you to learn more about what makes a successful tattoo.
Study Art
Tattooing is an art form, but you are
working on the human body instead of working on a canvas. While it might not
seem immediately relevant, getting an art education can be hugely useful for developing
your skills as a tattoo artist. Getting a degree in art will help you win some
credibility, which can prove useful when you are job hunting, but even just
doing art night classes can help you develop your skills.
Get a Certification
There is only so far that you can get
by just drawing on paper; you will be ready to start tattooing at a certain
point. However, in the United Kingdom, it is illegal to tattoo another person
if you do not have a tattooing license. Therefore,
you should apply for your license so you can start practising tattooing and
building up your portfolio.
Buy Equipment
It is common for tattoo shops to
require staff to have their own equipment, as many artists have their own
preferences regarding the equipment they work with. As Barber DTS tattoo supplies explain,
the quality of tattoo equipment you are using can have a big impact on the
level of work you are to create. When you are buying your equipment, you are
making an investment in your future, so make sure to research and find the
right equipment for you.
Build a Portfolio
Once you have the equipment and your
licence you can start practising tattooing on your friends and family. In your
portfolio, it is useful to include a range of photographs of
completed tattoos, some drawings, and tattoo designs. In addition, you should
include examples that showcase your skill and versatility as an artist. You
should also include a cover letter along with your portfolio to help a prospective
employer learn more about you.
Alongside your physical portfolio, it
is also useful to create an Instagram account. Building a following a high
engagement rate on social media will help you to gain credibility and become
more appealing to a prospective employer.
Remember that an employer will be
judging you on your versatility, the quality of your work, and the standards that you
hold yourself to, so never neglect the basics like health and safety.
