How to DESIGN for tattoos

I have read through alot of the posts on this site and most recommend getting a portfolio and apprenticeship to start tattooing, or buying a gun and messing yourself up until you get tired of sucking and shape up or get an internship. Decided to avoid the hard-knocks and go the straight route. done. I went to art school and know about design theory. I'm also a paramedic and know about the bbp/cross-contamination/a&p stuff, but... I'm broke as hell. I really want to learn how to tattoo but cannot afford an internship. There are two artists I have in mind that i would like to ask for an internship, but i want to have my shit SOOOO in order that one might opt to teach me for free or cheap (or hell even just bother to teach me). That said, I draw and take photos and want to do some, expressionist, surrealist but photorealistic tattoo designs. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO DRAW A TATTOO OR EVEN START TO DESIGN SOMETHING "TATTOO-LIKE." I'm not worried about it conforming to a human body-shape as I'm sure either or them could teach me that...but i need to understand what goes into a good tattoo drawing or flash. (would it be called flash or what?) I'm getting better with the pencil, and getting more illustration styled things down, but charcoal, oil paint and silver gelatin are what I'm used to. Any tips on how to make the leap? These guys are amazing, they have no need for me or my money! I really want to do my best so they give me a chance. ANYTHING IS APPRECIATED!!!

Go to a tattoo shop where there is artists whos work you respect and start getting tattooed by them. That's a start. And nobody says that you have to be able to draw tattoo designs to get a apprenticeship. As long as you have artistic skill that is all that matters.

Thanks. I don't really have the funds to pay 50-100 per hour for the pieces i want right now... any cheaper solutions? I need an idea of what kind of work i need to put in my portfolio. The same as my art portfolio, or should I tailor it more to show that I have some potential to tattoo well? If so, how do I go about it?

just do your art... only a handful of artists are able to do the realistic tattooing you're looking for and you'll be hard pressed to find one of them to teach you... but tattooists can recognize good talent when they see it. If you try too hard to design for a tattoo without first knowing anything about tattooing then it'll never work. This industry is a double edged sword, a catch 22 if you will. There are some basics too it but your mentor will be able to teach you those. Honestly if your artwork and skills are good you should be able to impress someone, go after the guys you would really want to teach you, someone you respect. BUG THE SHIT OUT OF THEM!!! they may find you a nuisance at first but if you show the drive and ambition to go into their shop every few days with new stuff to show them they'll take you much more seriously. Do a variety of stuff, paintings, refined drawings, and plenty of sketches!!!! most of what tattoo artists do is not fully refined work, the time just isn't there, sure the big names will, Aitchison, Hurtado, etc. but most don't. Showing that you can throw something great down quickly is a big assett. Best of luck to you.

Thanks alot. I feel I have a good idea of where to start now.