So far all I've heard is that you have to become an apprentice to a tattoo artist, but nothing about schooling... people say I'm a good artist, but im only going to be taking art 1 for my senior year. any advice?
2007-07-25 06:06:10 · 7 answers · asked by Miss Lucky13 3 in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
No, you do not NEED to go through art school to become a tattoo artist, however................As many have already said a degree of talent to begin with is VERY important. A compitent, quality producing, health conscience tattoo artist is rarely a self tought one. Yes, that can happen, but it is beyond rare in my opinion. An apprenticeship is not only suggested by this artist but law in some states. For instance, I am an artist in Arklansas. I moved to this state with over 20years in the industry and was still required to attend at least a six month apprenticeship prior to my licensing in Arkansas. Currently Arkansas not only requires this apprenticeship, but the state also requires any studio offering an apprenticeship to be a member of the State Board of Career Education and any instructor to be licensed. This is becoming more and more prevelent in the US. So, my first suggestion to you is that you contact the Health Department in your state and find out exactly what you will need to do, legaly speaking, before you approach a potential instructor. Believe me, a potential student who has already done the legal footwork to understand that "have to's" is a more highly desired student than someone who simply thinks it would be cool to learn to tattoo. Then, after educating yourself, go to all the local studios in your area. Look at their portfolios, talk to the artists, look around and notice the cleanliness (or lack thereof) of the studio, and take mental notes. After investigating them all, choose the studio you feel most comfortable with and approach the owner with your desire to learn the art of tattooing. Bring with you, on this trip, your portfolio and the knowledge you have regaurding the state laws. Keep your dreams, continue to study in school, keep up your art, and best of luck to you :)
2007-07-26 03:50:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to, but it's a good start.
A lot of tattoo artists will go through a couple years of college studying art and such before they even try to apprentice.
Getting an apprenticeship is VERY hard and VERY competitive. The more things you have on your side that show you really are dedicated to art the more the tattoo artist will consider you.
2007-07-25 06:13:41 · answer #2 · answered by Rose 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
you do not need to go through and art school... as long as you have some drawing talent you will be fine... you have to become an apprentice before an actuall artist this can take a while most of the time it can take a few years .. make a portfolio of some of your art work and bring it into local shops ask about becoming an apprentice some places do take people in and others dont.. it may take you a while to find a place but if you want to do it bad enough then go for it .. im also pretty sure you have to be 18 to become an apprentice
2007-07-25 06:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by rua_88 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NEED? no, but it does help. firstly it helps that an aspiring tattoo artist is first an artist. long gone are the days when anybody could learn how to tattoo just because they could color in the lines. tattoo technique is SO detailed and complicated and artistic these days. if you are a competent artist then there is no reason that you must go to art school. if your skills need help then it would definitely benefit you to go. my tattoo artist went to art school for about a month before he dropped out and became a tattoo apprentice. he is amazing, even without an art degree.
http://www.myspace.com/jctattoos
2007-07-25 12:44:35 · answer #4 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it all depends on the shop... Some shops require it for an apprenticeship, but most don't... but generally, *some* art school would help... Anything that can help you become a better artist can only help you as a tattoo artist.....
2007-07-25 06:44:15 · answer #5 · answered by Xalia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just people telling you that your a good artist, is nice. But take some of
your work to some shops and see what
they say.
If you have good perception of depth,
light source/shadow, prospective, nature, originality, etc, that's just a
start.
I hear a lot of people say, "oh, it can't be that hard"....or..."looks easy enough"........
Don't forget that these "machines"....
not guns, don't come with erasers.
2007-07-25 10:01:57 · answer #6 · answered by cpt m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't need to go to art school, but you should at least have some talent.
2007-07-25 09:29:52 · answer #7 · answered by Olivia! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you have to have SOME form of training....but thats all i know of!
2007-07-25 06:09:40 · answer #8 · answered by Kristine K 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋