I just got my tattoo apprenticeship and I am very nervous...?

Question

Any suggestions or warnings of things I should or shouldn't be doing? I just get nervous having my apprentice watch me sketch up random flash or just thoughts on paper. Is this normal?

I do a LOT of observing. I enjoy that the most. It is awesome watching it come together on someone. I haven't done any tracing yet but I will start that this morning. Thanks

Answer 1

Wow..you must be nervous...you said having your "apprentice" watch you - YOU are the apprentice so you must be referring to your mentor - the master tattoo artist.

Once you get to know everyone well in the studio, this should subside. Each place treats their apprentices differently. We are not into the whole slave labor thing - you are there to learn, not be an errand boy, etc. Again, it might be different there - you will just have to deal with it.

Just draw constantly - trace, lots of tracing - that will get your line work abilities going and always be busy unless you are observing (I hope you do a lot of that - we find that is what our apprentices lose interest in the most.) If you don't know what you should be doing at a given moment, ask if there is something you can do. Ask questions and write things down - no one likes to have to be repetitive.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Being nervous is normal.
It's part of the apprenticeship,
everybody bugging you and
watching what ever you do.
Trust me, you will get use
to everyone looking over
your shoulder. They really
have your best interest at heart.
If you can't take what they are
going to put you through, then
you probably can't take what the
public will put you through. There
are more distractions in a shop,
than you can even imagine. People
can do the craziest things, while you
are trying to tattoo them. Try not to
take everything so seriously and yet
learn everything you can from it. Just
remember, an apprenticeship is a privilege.
Your training is only as good as the one training you.

Answer 3

of course it is,its a new opportunity and your afraid of messing up.just relax and take your time and everthing will be fine.