Artist looking for Feedback

Hey everyone, I'm trying for an apprenticeship in the next month or so (the owner said he's not making any decisions until the spring), and I was looking over my portfolio and thought that this might be the best place to post it for feedback and critisism. For what it's worth, I've been looking for apprenticeships for close to three years with no luck (Philly is extremely elitist, I've found, and while I have gotten very good ink there, they have already dashed my dreams of apprenticing there) -- this is my chance to really show my desire to be an apprentice and I know having thumbs-up artwork helps. So please, if you will, give me some feedback, where can I improve, what do you like best, what would you, as artists, like to see more of? Here's the link to my best pieces (and some of my doodles). http://fin-mieux.deviantart.com/gallery/ Thanks for your time! Morwil

Elitists? Maybe. But your artwork isn't good enough. Check out drawspace.com

Now how about that criticism and not just blind link throwing? Thanks.

Ok...I visited your deviantart page and reviewed your art. There are some pieces there that can be marginally ok, but over all your portfolio needs to be worked on with more mature work. Your portrait work needs to be anatomically correct, as does your figure work, that is unless you are trying to capture more of an "anime" feel to them-which if that is the case it is just ok---but even in that subject matter you would need work. You also need to work on shading and values, without those things your work reflects a flat and lifeless image which is not what you want to express. I would suggest that in order to really create an outstanding portfolio you may want to look into some art classes on figure study, depth and perception and color theory to get started. I would look into maybe some community college programs or even private lessons if you can. I really feel that once you get this part under your belt you will be better recieved when visiting shops around Phili, although I am sure some of them recieved you with an "elite" attitude, imagine how many times they get people into their shops looking for tattoo work or to become apprentices. Really work on your art work, study as much as you can, visit some of the fabulous galleries in PA and learn about different artists. Deviant art has some great inspirational artists there too, just have fun with it! Listen- not everyone is meant to be a tattoo artist-there are plenty of marginally good ones for sure, but if you want to be one of the great ones (which it sounds to me like you do since you posted here and confident enough to show your work) you will really need to commit yourself to creating your art, finding out your style, and go from there. I wish you the best of luck!

Blind link throwing? A) I looked at your work. B) My critique is that every single aspect of your work needs to improve greatly before any shop would take you seriously. It's that simple, no need to pick it apart. I mentioned that link because it is helping me a lot, as it teaches you quickly (if you practice relentlessly) and is simple to understand. And, it's free. Also, learn to be a little humble. Don't assume the nearby shops are elitist when the plain truth is, your work sucks. Christ.

@ Jeanne - Thank you. I have been trying my best to get OUT of the "anime" feel for the last couple years. I think my biggest problem is the warped sense of proportion that anime has left me with. Actual, physical proportion is tough for me to get down on paper without me thinking, "that doesn't look right." I took a semester of art school a couple years ago, and we covered values and proportion, I still have the assignments, so I think I'll look them over. Thanks for your input :D @ Gina - Forgive me for coming off so harsh, but your blunt delivery was not exactly fantastic. I know I'm not the greatest artist there is, which is why I posted it here and expected something constructive instead of "this sucks, here's a link." But, the link is appreciated none the less. I wasn't expecting people to be all rainbows and cupcakes, but jeez. :/

@ Jeanne - Thank you. I have been trying my best to get OUT of the "anime" feel for the last couple years. I think my biggest problem is the warped sense of proportion that anime has left me with. Actual, physical proportion is tough for me to get down on paper without me thinking, "that doesn't look right." I took a semester of art school a couple years ago, and we covered values and proportion, I still have the assignments, so I think I'll look them over. Thanks for your input :D @ Gina - Forgive me for coming off so harsh, but your blunt delivery was not exactly fantastic. I know I'm not the greatest artist there is, which is why I posted it here and expected something constructive instead of "this sucks, here's a link." But, the link is appreciated none the less. I wasn't expecting people to be all rainbows and cupcakes, but jeez. :/

Sorry but your original post left a bad taste in my mouth - the typical "They suck, not me" attitude. I'm not trying to discourage you, believe me. Don't just draw, learn to draw. You said you took art classes, so you know that it's a learned skill and not always a natural-born talent. Learn and practice. And then practice some more. Draw every day...on a napkin if you have to. I dwell on this because even if you plan to tattoo nothing but flash, knowing how to draw will make tattooing be more intuitive. Once you learn the skills of drawing, artwork will flow like magic from your brain, through your hand and to the paper. That link I gave you above has helped me tremendously. Spend a little while learning and a lot of time practicing and it will last you a life time. Right now, I have a hunch you're getting frustrated by trying to put down on paper what you actually see. I know that's how it's been for me and it makes drawing less enjoyable and I just wanted to put the pencil down. Now I want to draw everything I see, because I know I can. Sorry for being so long-winded, but I'm hoping my enthusiasm is contagious because I feel like I discovered gold.

@ Gina - Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off as feeling entitled to everything when talking about the guys in Philly, I mean. All I did was ask out of curiosity if they were looking for apprentices and they straight up said, "Absolutely not." Then their website is just as discouraging, but at least that explained to me why they weren't looking for apprentices -- ever since tattoos got big on TV people think it's easy shit being an apprentice, people have flooded them, but once they realise it's not the cakewalk the pros make it look like, they bail, therefore having wasted a lot of valuable time of the mentor. I know I have what it takes, and you're right, it just takes a lot of ass kicking on my part. Because I can have what it takes all I want, but anything less than what I can create won't land me the apprenticeship.

@ Gina - Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off as feeling entitled to everything when talking about the guys in Philly, I mean. All I did was ask out of curiosity if they were looking for apprentices and they straight up said, "Absolutely not." Then their website is just as discouraging, but at least that explained to me why they weren't looking for apprentices -- ever since tattoos got big on TV people think it's easy shit being an apprentice, people have flooded them, but once they realise it's not the cakewalk the pros make it look like, they bail, therefore having wasted a lot of valuable time of the mentor. I know I have what it takes, and you're right, it just takes a lot of ass kicking on my part. Because I can have what it takes all I want, but anything less than what I can create won't land me the apprenticeship.

I looked at your artwork. It was nice of you and brave at the same point to post on a evil board like this. My advice is to learn to draw your portaits without lines. Draw the lines if needed with a 2h pencil its lightest value. Then use just shading to work in the value's. Drawing a face will be alot easier if you dont think of the lines. Rather use shapes of shades. Start out light and go dark. Look at alot of tattoo portraits. Outside the face itself is usually a darker background that the face itself. Print out some tattoo portraits and copy them to learn.

I made a post similiar to this one and never got any reply except one who actually took the time to view my ink and artwork. My work can be seen at facebook...under Jess Desi... I would love feedback. I have been only tattooing for two months , But drawing all my life.

We do produce three yearly events where artists and tattooers can get real life critiques from world class talent, as well as take classes and workshops... Paradise Tattoo Gathering, Worldwide Tattoo Conference and Paradise Artist Retreat...

lmao. Its funny you asked for a link to my work which I provided and never heard anything.guess you have to pay for critiques.lol

My critique is you have a long ways to go and you need a lot more than a critique from a website guy. I don't even know where to start, except you need to get a LOT of advice, more than I can even start with... I don't care if you go to the events that we design so that the best tattooers and low brow painters can critique, teach, and inspire you in person, there are plenty of artists who understand how to better themselves and if you get left behind, its no skin off my back. If you wanna be cheap and don't get whats going on, there are plenty of others that will work harder and smarter than you. Good luck.

thats all I asked for.Its not about being cheap..I dont tatt for money yet. Dont need to. I am more than willing to spend money to get results, But if thats the case it should be made clear that this site is not for that. I just thought based on reading past forums that you guys do that..as you call out all newbies to post work time and again..which they never do.lol Thanks for reply I now know that this website doesnt promote that.

We're happy to critique when its worth it. . You were whining that we only critique for money, but sometimes the best advice is get off the internet and get it for real then come back in two years. But, well, we actually produce events just for people to go to and learn from experts which is infinitely more valuable than getting an online critique For better or worse, the critique was for the person who gave their link up top, I couldn't find your art on facebook. You can ask and some people get critiques, and sometimes the best advise to go out and learn before waiting people time trying to critique something that isn't event close. And unless we missed a past link, your name and telling us to go to facebook is pretty amateurish... post a direct link to something we can see...

Not going to go back and forth.. I posted self taught artist ... You specifically asked for my link which I provided.. as you can see another poster had no trouble viewing my work at name posted. Also how can you say anything about my work if you have not seen it as you just said? In terms of crying ...Really? You ask for link and i submitt and dont hear anything for a week? Again if this site is not for that then I wont post anything further. Its not wise to try and disrespect and degrade people when they ask a simple question in a polite way. Sorry to trouble you.lol

In my last reply I said that I was critiquing the work of the first poster on this thread cause there was a link. I looked for your facebook twice and didnt find it, so obviously couldnt critique your work. I guess its my fault. Good luck lol.

BOY HOWDY NOT REAL HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHOS THE BIGEST BASHER

I also looked for the address on face book and was unable to find anything.as far as this poster goes. keep drawing! draw draw draw get into some art classes if you can.get some good drawing pencils and experiment with those. get a tone chart and color wheel.lots of great books out there buy what ya can. keep going. if you have a true PASSION for the tattoo world you will get there in time.

when i was very young i drew and drew all the time in school all day every class i drew and then did my homework on my drawing not to wast any paper my mother god rest hur sole shaired this story with my first child my daughter at the age of 3 i found doodings on the squares from reeces cups she never stoped in the 6 grade she won 1st place in state school competion and they put hur drawing in the time capsule and cut hur a check $ she loved acrylics and did portraits at the flee market and made killer $ and lator on became a real good tattoo portrait artist im proud of hur the sad ending to this story is i we havent see or hurd from hur in 6 yrs im a verry sad father worried and would appreciate your prayers on this missing loved one its hard to admit expecialy for a man but some times when tatting a client my sadness brings a tear from time to time my real point to this post is for the orignal poster and jc never stop learn to draw what u c then let the machine do the rest enjoy life