How to Create an Impressive Art Portfolio
Sunday July 13, 2008
If you want to be a tattoo artist, you need to find an apprenticeship so you can be trained. But finding an apprenticeship is just like trying to find a job - you have to make a good impression. One of the ways you can impress a prospective mentor is with a great art portfolio. This how-to will show you what you need to create one and what not to do that could hurt your chances at getting an apprenticeship.
More on How to Become a Tattoo Artist:
What Makes a Good Tattoo Artist: Do You Have What it Takes?
Basic How-To Breakdown on Becoming a Successful Tattoo Artist
Comments
The best way to get an apprenticeship is to be willing to pay thousands of dollars for whatever the mentor is willing to pass off as training (varies wildly from studio to studio). As for showing up with a portfolio it really doesn’t help much unless the portfolio is of completed tattoos that you’ve done. Having the right look and an appropriate number of visible modifications is about as helpful as having a book of decent tattoo flash that you’ve drawn yourself.
In many places tattooists learn without a formal apprenticeship, and with body piercing it’s pretty normal to be self-taught.
Apprenticeships in the body arts did not exist prior to about 1990.
I read the above comment and couldnt believe what was said that kid obviously knows nothing about tattooing wot so ever. He should b baned. Firstly apprenticeships have been around for the past milenia they are the main way of passing on a very specific highly skilled craft. The egyptions, japanese and every other form of culture that has used tattoos in there history(almost every culture) has passed on the skill via apprenticeships. Secondly tattoo artists look down on tattoos you have done urself because they will either b realy good and thn y do u need an apprenticeship, or they will b rubish and they will have to reteach you the correct process all over again. Most ppl will b in the second category tattooing is a hard skill to learn and without the correct training you will b rubish. It is extremly important if u r going to find an apprenticeship you have a portfolio of ur art so they can asses ur ability and wether ur style fits with how tattoos are created. However more importantly is that you have a keen thirst for knowledge and are extremly intrested in tattoos thr history and there meaning. Furthermore i would not self teach urself anysort of body modification tattooing or piercing, without a good referance or a freind who has done the same. This is for the simple reason of health and safty tattoos and body piercings can get infected very easily aspecialy with the recent outbrakes(1970’s) of hepotoytus passed on through tattooing. You may b indangering urself and others. However I am not saying u shudnt do it just b careful. Anyone who is creating a portfolio it is highly recomended that you use a veriaty of art work in a suitable portfolio. It should look good this may sound obvious however many ppl just shove thr art work in the tattooist will b looking at ur layout skills as well as ur art work art is just as much about how u finish of your art as the actual piece itself. Anyway i think iv gone on enough good look with anyone trying to become an apprentice and dont let idiots like tht put you of.
wow, I guess the rafti method of scratchers and kitchen magicians is the easy out, that is sweeping the nation. funny that every artist I have ever spoken with when talking about their history mentions an apprenticeship, many of them also got the apprenticeship based on proof of their artistic talents, via portfolio, or creating something on the spot. in fact many states require documentation of an apprenticeship and training under a certified or licensed artist. one of the first things you should know about your artist or piercer is how long they have been practicing, and what kind of training they had. I am shocked that someone who represents themselves as “in the know” would even encourage such dangerous, and potentially life threatening behavior. I encourage anyone who has laid eyes on these comments not patronize any “artist” who is self taught, it is simply not worth the risk.
vor don is not an associate of about.com, nothing i say means squat, beyond being a voice of reason, with my own common sense, and opinions.