To become a professional tattoo artist, which requires specialized skills, one option is to apprentice with an experienced artist. Nowadays, there are also many tattoo schools that offer one-on-one instruction, and some even allow you to take courses online. For most aspiring professional artists, it seems common to go through an apprenticeship before becoming independent. This time, I will introduce three key points to keep in mind during your apprenticeship.
Self-analyze your own work
The first point I'm going to introduce might be the most difficult. Objectively evaluate the work you've created. What are your strengths? What artistic skills do you possess? What are your characteristics? Are you good at watercolors, colored pencils, or intricate line drawings with shading? Identify what suits you and what your weaknesses are, from design style and color palette to the tools you use.
And if one area is significantly weaker than others, consider excluding it. No matter how good a piece turns out, if there's one disappointing aspect, the focus tends to be drawn more prominently to that negative part.
Identify designs that can be created with your skills
Just because something looks good on paper doesn't mean it will necessarily look good on skin. Generally, bold and large designs tend to age better on skin than complex and small designs. This might be one of the reasons why traditional tattoo styles have remained popular across generations.
A flat drawing on paper needs to be adjusted when drawn on the curves of the body. Also, people's body shapes and skin conditions vary. Traditional Japanese styles, in particular, require this skill; you can easily imagine this with full-body works. If you're good at techniques that wrap around limbs, like sleeves that go all the way down to the hands, then practice those extensively.
Create and present an appealing portfolio
During an apprenticeship, you are learning to become a tattoo artist, so no one expects your work to be perfect. However, it's important to show a portfolio that, despite not being perfect, reveals your effort. Even if the overall tattooing isn't excellent, an instructor will likely look for and want to see your outstanding parts and strengths within it. As mentioned earlier, if you've self-analyzed and found your preferred style, then reflect that and show work that demonstrates growth in those areas. By receiving feedback and establishing your own style, you can likely have a productive apprenticeship.
Summary
There's no single right answer to the points above, nor is there an established formula for how to succeed as an artist. However, there aren't many periods where you can make mistakes and hone your skills in an environment with expert guidance. How you approach this period for your career will likely greatly change your future.
Reference
This article is a translation and reorganization of this page.