Anyone know how to become a tattoo artist in australia??

Question

I have always been in love with tattoo's and art, I have been employed as a graphic designer for the past 7 years but would love to fullfill my dream of becoming a tattoo artist, as I could think of no greater compliment than someone wanting to wear your artwork for the rest of thier lives... I have done some tattoo designs for friends, that have inturn taken my pic to a studio and had it inked, which is pretty flattering, But I want to be the inker!.. I live in western australia and unfortunatly every tattoo studio I have inquired with are "bikie affiliated" so they aren't looking to take anyone on that they don't know - its more of who you know in this industry I assume!! Is there any schools, or courses in OZ that teach some tattooing so I can have a small amount of experience, hopefully giving me a chance to get a foot in the door?? Also I heard most apprenticships in tattooing are unpaid?? is this true?? surely you must make minimum wage atleast?? I have to be able to live...

Answer 1

As far as I know you need to be taken in by a tattoist who will teach you themselves. Perhaps you could invest in the gear and practice on pumpkins or whatever they practice on and get so good you can find a guinea-pig victim, who could be a walking ad for you and then open your own place.

Answer 2

I have worked in many different tattoo studios over the years I would say that at least one person a day would walk in looking for a tattoo apprenticeship. The competition is so high but there is rarely anything in it for a tattoo artist to take on an apprentice. It is more trouble than it's worth. You would think that offering your help for free would be a good thing but all tattoo artists I know find that having an extra person hanging around is too much hassle. Tattoo studios are busy places which leaves little time for answering questions and training people. Most people use apprentices as a way of getting a free receptionist, tea maker and cleaner and won't teach you anything in return. There are millions of talented artists out there but it is a case of who you know and not what you now. A friend of mine got an apprenticeship because of being friends with the right people (and he is not a great artist) If you don't hang out in the right crowd then it will be pretty hard. Every tattooist I know will have 3 or 4 friends wanting to get into tattooing and is hoping that their 'friend' will give them the opportunity, although I suspect that most of these people are just 'groupies' and will use the tattooist as a means to an end.

Answer 3

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You cant just walk into a shop and expect to be picked up for this type of work. It may take a few times before finding a place you will be accepted into. The best way is to befriend an artist or getting tattooed by an artist continually can lead to you getting you foot in the door. Alot of guys have egos you cant get past but there are alot of guys that will share this very coveted art form with you. I happened to get tattooed several times by my artist and became good buddies before asking him to teach me, he let me in. I was also taken under by one other artist at the shop, I got lucky for sure! DONT GIVE UP IF ITS WHAT YOU WANT, TALENT ISNT EVERYTHING. SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU WANT IT BY SHOWING UP DAILY AND HANGING OUT AND GETTING TO KNOW EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!! p.s. these people posting above me have no clue, you dont need courses or any of that bs, you dont need a bigger portfolio, most places dont care if you can draw like michalangelo. its all about you my friend and who you are. we can see through people very easily. you will learn at the shop, dont pay for an apprenticship, be dedicated and you will prevail...

Answer 4

The same question comes up again