I need Some constructive Criticism

Hey tattoonow I am trying to get a tattoo apprenticeship, and I was wondering if the people reding this wouldnt mind taking some time to check out my art and give me some feedback. I am also having some trouble figuring out the best way to approach an artist without getting brushed off. I really love the tattoo industry and tattooing as an art form, i have been following it since is was 16 when i got my first tattoo (with parental consent and from a good artist). i would love to hear from taz because i have mad respect for him. you can check me out at www.myspace.com/paynefulart there are alot of thumbnails on the left and some image gallerys with some original henna designs i have done.

From an art standpoint, you need some work. You need to take more time with those pencil crayons and really make the gradients work. Your shadow and highlighs are good, but you seem to use it the same way every time on every object. Look through some art and tatt mags and books and pay attention to how they make metal look like metal, wood look like wood. Your style is very set (as is mine) It might help you to add a little more oomph to your work if you were to experiment with more realism, abstract, minimalism, art deco...etc... just to expand it here and there. Even if it's a style that you don't care for, you'll end up teaching yourself different tricks and pick up things you like as you go. And you may want to try bolding the lines here and there more if you really want that sharp acid-cartoon look. As for an apprenticeship, keep trying. It might take years but if you give up on it, you never wanted it in the first place. You're bound to catch the right person at the right time sometime.

Hey pal...I looked at your work and pretty much agree wuth My bud lillian...Sure ...you need some work...lolts of it but then again who doesn't?...My suggestions...don't even try for an apprenticeship just yet....get that artwork down well enough that anyone would be a fool to NOT hire you...invest a hundred clams in Guy Aitchisons book "reinventing the tattoo"...the best $100 you will ever spend ...the book is worth a lot on its own but when you buy the book you also get access to Guys personal forum...in that forum you can do art projects and be critiqued in a very positive and powerful manner by Guy personally and by some world class artists...they are there to help you not knock you down...the forum alone is worth 10 times the price of the book...also I want you to go to the very top admin post here on this forum "read before posting" scroll down to the thread " Apprenticeship 101" by my buddy J ROD...read that carefully then gimme an email and we will see what we can do to give you a leg up. Thanks for your post ...I will be looking forward to hearing from ya!...TAz, Painted Angel

thats like the most positive response to anything ive ever read on this forum, nice one taz. i think the art is good, work on powerlines. smooth out that linework. maybe study albie rock, brandon bond. those guys seem to be some of the masters of the shit you are doing... and kool aid, his shit rocks

I am so gracious to all the people that replied. I knew i needed work but i really didnt want to get blasted like i have seen it done on here before. you guys are awesome, thanks for the support and the information I really appreciate it.

Your getting great advice, lemme add my two cents. first up, prepare for the long haul, I wouldnt even think about finding an apprenticeship for a few years. Dedicate the next few years to your drawing, be it through street experience or art school. You have talent, its a matter of getting the technical skills of drawing/painting down. Learning the "rules" and realizing why they work(so in the future you can challenge them intelligently). Art classes, drawing with friends and inspirations, picking apart and disecting the art you like... the goal before getting an apprenticeship is having an art portfolio that is so @#$ing fantastic that the studio will be better for having you onboard. Given the quality of many people practicing the art that really shouldnt be too hard, if you work at it you will be brought in. As far as inspirations go, the best role models I would point you towards are Hope Gallery Tattoo with Joe Capobianco, Eric Merrill, Julio Rodriguez, and Tim Harris. Stinky Monkey with Tony Ciavarro as the ringleader, Gunnar, Jime Litwalk, Jesse Smith, Ed, and Electric Pick are others who are inspirations of mine (as people and artists). Jeese, the list could go on, Jeff Ensminger, Johnny Jackson, Kelly Gormley, Jason Ackerman are others that come to mind for some reason off the top of my head.

i just want to say i love your skulls and your style in general, and i hope i will be able to get one of them once you become a T.A.

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Hey I just wanted to say stick at it. You've been given some great advice and if it is something that you really want keep going. Some of your pieces are good others need some work with shading, colour choice, linework and form but you'll get there. One peice of advice don't stop drawing, the more you draw and practice the better you get, take a break and you'll find you forget things you had down pat beforehand (I am speaking from experience). Goodluck :o)

AH, you got that right bubblez. I draw for pleasure, not tattoos, but i sure know since it's been a while since i drew all the time, i can't do some things as well as i used to.