critiques welcome

Hello, I am pretty new tattooing, I actually started 5 years ago but I had to stop because of personal reasons until I started again since 2 years ago. I couldn't afford an apprenticeship because I'm on my 30's and I have to work for a living, so the few things I know I had to find out by myself. I would like to become a professional tattooist some day and work at a tattoo shop but I know there's a long way to go yet. Well, this is my last attempt of a cover up. I am experiencing with sculpted lines but I still don't have the ability to do them well, I also have problems with single lines, I have to improve a lot on that. The color doesn't look as solid as I would like to, mostly in the head of the koi, maybe because it is half healed, in the last picture i only did the background and the flowers, the koi is loosing dead skin. Picture is bad also. This is the first picture that I dare to post on the internet, and I know it is far from being a good tattoo. Anyway I would like and appreciate that some experienced tattoists criticize and rip out this tattoo. And if I did anything that you find decent please let me know. I think this is the only way to learn. Sorry for my english and the long story.

bro, that tat is tight stuff, all you have missing is practice. I see some issues going on with lines, but thats my personal opinion, I like to vary stroke thicknesses in my tats, but that's my personal taste. I would suggest you obtain the right knowledge regarding cross contamination, blood borne pathogen, cpr, sterilization method etc. As far as art goes, all I can tell you is that experience will make you better. Not every one of the well know artists have gone thru apprenticeships, but they do make sure they keep the environment safe to remain in business. Knowing how to tattoo is not the only thing that makes an artist a good one. The responsibility with your customers and law is part of your success as an artist. good luch

"Knowing how to tattoo is not the only thing that makes an artist a good one. The responsibility with your customers and law is part of your success as an artist." Good point! As for the actual tattoo you posted i think its decent- seen worse. Think you have a long ways to go but if you keep it up, practice and push yourself you could get there. Best of luck mate!

Thank you for your comments, anyway I would have apreciated more criticism I would like to read: "hey you have to improve on this and that" "hey this part looks like shit" or "this blossom looks ok" "forget the idea of becoming a pro" I love to read that it is not bad anyway, just because I think IT IS BAD, and the comment helps me to keep on trying. Talking about health, I would like to let some things clear: I would NEVER play with someone's health just because I fancy to become a tattoo artist. I would NEVER do that. As I said I am on my 30's and I consider myself a mature and responsible person. I attended to the official hygienic-health classes for tattooists and piercers, given and earned by the authorities, and I have the official diploma, . I clean even when it looks clean. I also have read a lot about higiene. I PROPERLY use an autoclave, a thermo sealer and a ultrasonic cleaner,I do the spore test often. I aconditioned a room in my house to tattoo. I can take pictures to prove everything I say. I dispose used needles containers through a friend that works in a hospital, (I have disposed just 2 in my "long" career hahah) as they burn them in a big oven. In this aspect I know I am doing it well. I just want to improve on tattooing, and my character doesn't allow me to listen an asshole who thiks he is a deity just because he knows (sometimes not) how to apply tattoos. I am NOT saying that all the tattooists think they are gods but many of them do, and it happened that all the assholes I met where like that. When I become a pro I would be glad to help people who show modesty and will to learn. Thats why Im asking for help here, I am not trying to learn to tattoo on the internet, I learn a little every day at home, I am just looking for a small tip or something to help me improve. And so much writing and reading helps me improve my english too :) Thank you!!!!