Tattoo artist?

Question

I was wondering if anyone knew what classes are needed in order to be a tattoo artist. any suggestions?

thanks,
sarah

Answer 1

School of hard knocks is the best. Beg for an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop. Be the shop bitc'h for about a year, and practice your drawing skills. Good luck.

Answer 2

Well for starters you need a lot of health and first aid classes. Bloodborne pathogens, CPR, and First Aid should be a minimum. Check your local red cross or DPOR for classes. Ask at the local studios where they get theres. These are necessary for working in a shop in any capacity!!

You wont be paid off the bat, and it takes months or even years before you can start tattooing for money unfortunately, so you may have to keep your dayjob and play mom aswell!! It is an art you are learning, not simply sticking pretty pictures on people with sharpie. We make this job look very easy but it takes a lot of hard work. Class for us is more watching other people and learning tips and tricks from them as they work. Theres no such thing as a "tattoo school" that is worth the money. Some shops will charge you to apprentice, others will just expect you to work for them for a certain number of years.

go round some of your local shops and see what they think of your art work. Make sure you draw your *** off. Perhaps take a few graphic design and drawing classes. also see the sticky thread under apprenticeships in http://www.everytattoo.com tattoo forum. Do not try and go it alone. NEVER START OUT AS A SCRATCHER.Dont buy machines or anything else because you will have no idea what you are looking for. IF they wont take you ask why, ask for advice how to get to that point.

OH and BS to what evryone will tell you about abusing apprentices. you might have to clean tubes and stuff but that can be a good learning experience.If u want it that bad ull go through it and if a studio respects u enough they wont do it.

Answer 3

There are no classes , you can take art classes but other than that you practice drawing get a portfolio of your drawings together only your best and look for an apprentaceship where you will work hands on in a shop and learn what you need to no.
The other option is to do all of the above but also work on yourslef ( not anyone else it is illegal ) and take your portfoilio and your body in with you to get your apprentance once you are ready ( the tattoo shop you are apprentacing at will tell you when that is ) you will take a test and give a tat for the person grading you then if you pass you will revcieve your liscense ...

Good luck

Answer 4

Well, Sarah, I'll help you out because that's my name too.

To become a tattoo artist you usually have to become an apprentice of another tattoo artist. You will have to buy all your own supplies, which isn't cheap, but that is the way to do it. My friend recently got his tattooing license that way; however, while he was apprenticing, he had to work two jobs. So if you're really serious about trying to become a tattoo artist, you will have to find another artist willing to teach you. Best of luck to you Sarah!

Answer 5

I go along with the apprenticeship route...

Here is an interview by a tattoo artist called 'Nearly Painless' James which he talks about apprenticeships. Makes lots of sense...

Answer 6

there are several tattoo schools, kind of expensive for the length of time they are, but you can be a certified tattoo artist with them, and then, you can go around and try to get hired somewhere, OR you could tattoo legally on your own and build up a portfolio, and then try to get hired...
your best bet is to type in "tattoo schools" on any search engine.
good luck.