Things to Consider if You Want to be a Tattoo Artist
You have loved drawing for as long as you can remember, and lately have thought about making art your career. You proudly display several tattoos on your body that you designed yourself. Thus, it comes as no surprise that you are thinking of becoming a tattoo artist.
Tattoo Artists Need to Know What They Are Doing
The first thing you need to realize, if being a tattoo artist is something that you truly want to do, is that being a tattoo artist is not all about designing your own creations. Rather, it is about doing that, as well as adapting the ideas of your clients into their ideal tattoos.
Thus, your path toward becoming a tattoo artist starts with frequent practicing of a variety of different drawing techniques. However, it should be noted that some tattoo artists only specialize in doing certain kinds of art, like Asian art.
Another thing that you will have to perfect before you embark on a career as a tattoo artist is the maneuvering of the tattoo needles. The slightest malfunction could end up in disaster is you are in the middle of doing a tattoo!
Once you feel that you have become proficient in the basic skills that this kind of artist needs to have, you should also take a basic First Aid course. The reason for this is that you need to keep your equipment sterilized at all times. You will also need to wear latex gloves while you are tattooing someone.
Many of the people who have become professional tattoo artists have done so without education. However, nowadays it is best to gain a certification, because that reassures your clients that you know what you are doing.
Make sure that you get a mentor in a tattoo shop once you have gotten yourself a job there. Your mentor will show you how to handle the clients as well as the tattoo designs. Slowly work your way up, starting with small tattoos and graduating to larger ones, all the while taking pictures of each tattoo that you do, for your portfolio.
If you would like more information on what it takes to create tattoos, go to your local bookstore and enquire about books written by professional artists. You can also search the internet, because there are many forums that have to do with tattoos, and professional artists sometimes partake in them. Thus, with the proper research and preparation, you are sure to become a professional artist in this genre.
