Reader Mail: Learning to Tattoo

Question: "I am 47 years old and I consider myself a good artist. I really just recently got interested in doing tattoos. I started looking at tattoo magazines for ideas for drawings. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how beautiful this artwork was! Then I read some articles in the magazines and one caught my attention and made me want to be a tattoo artist. The gentleman I read about was a pinup artist (I fell in love with pinup art) and he said the most gratifying feeling he has ever had was to see his artwork on someones body!! I would love to see my artwork on someone's body and to know that they loved my artwork that much would be the ultimate high to me!! I want to learn all that I can and I wish I had the money to become an apprentice but I don't. It's so frustrating having lost my job had my car stolen and I really have no money to do what I want. I live in the San Fransisco Bay Area and I live in the "ghetto" but I must say there are a lot of tattoo shops here in the Bay area. So I am going to go to them and see if I can get someone to take me in. I am willing and able to work for mine!! If you have any suggestions I would really appreciate them. The first thing I'm going to do is get together a portfolio and read up on sterilization and about the blood. Is that a good start?"

Answer: Yes, that is a good start. First, read and learn as much as you can and then start getting some more ink yourself. That's going to cost some money, but if you go to a good artist, you can learn a lot by watching. Start building a relationship with your artist and then, in a year or so or however long it takes for them to recognize you when you walk in the door (and hopefully be glad to see you!), you can start asking them about the process and your desire to learn. If they can't teach you themselves, they may be able to get you in touch with someone who is looking for an apprentice. The community of tattoo artists is a tight one and the GOOD ones know a lot of other good artists - get in good with one of them and it may open a door of opportunity for you.

Going to tattoo conventions is a great way to meet lots of artists and find one that you feel a personal connection with.