looking into trying to become a tatoo artist

I've been looking up and researching stuff about tattooing and I want to hear from people who actually tattoo. I'm 17 and I'm hoping to save up enough money to try and apprenticeship.... Does anyone know the estimated cost of apprenticing? And I'm trying to put a portfolio together but what is stuff that people actually want to see? Is there any main things they look for? And does it have to be pictures of actual tattoos on a person or can it be drawings on paper? And is it good to get equipment before trying to apprenticeship? And what would be the best tattooing gun to look into saving up for? I would really appreciate it if someone could give me some information to help me move forward with this so that I can work towards this goal.

Well first off congrats on pursuing an apprenticeship. First of by no mean purchase any type of machine or equipment. By bringing in pictures of tattoos you have attempted to do to a legitamate artist you will not only offend him but probably be laughed out the door. Here are a few tips on your portfolio though. First off as for drawing try to be as creative as possible. Try and have a wide variety of drawings but don't go out of your leage and include some that dont look all that great. Your portfolio should consist of the very best of your art work. I personally would suggest to have about 10 to 15 different drawings. Also go and look into taking a Blood Born Pathageon class. Your local Red Cross usually will put on a class and there not that expensive. Now as for price it really depends. I myself paid $3000 for mine. Some don't cost anything but it really depends on the artist your going too. Also make sure you respect and want to learn from the artist your going too. Don't just go and find one with anybody as that will more than likely end up bitting you in the ass. Where are you located at and I may be able to point you in the direction of a few respectable shops. Also keep in mind this is a hard process. I had to move 3 states away from my original home to persue mine but it was something I wanted to do my whole life and have never regreted the decision. As for equipment all this will be part of your apprenticeship. Your mentor will lead you in the right direction and all questions will be answered. Now keep in mind alot of artist are very very blunt. If you go to a shop and they shoot down your art dont get angry. Take it as constructive critisicm. If this is something you really want to do then you should be willing to do whatever it takes to achive your goals. Now of course there will be people who will probably post on this and tell you everything im saying is bullshit and you can just teach yourself. Now I wont get into that discussion but i will say one thing. If you truly are wanting to do this for the rest of your life and nothing else even sort of intrest you, then I promise you that doing an apprenticeship will benefit you a hundred millions times more than being a scratcher. If you want to go far in this industry and be one of the greatest then be willing to sacrafice what is neccesary to do this. I honestly and whole heartedly hope you the best. Please comment back if there is any other questions you may have.

Thanks your comment will help me a lot. I live in the Utah area its not exactly the best place to find places to apprenticeship. I am willing to move around but I'm waiting to graduate and saving my money up until then. Until I graduate I'm trying to get as much out of my school as I can I'm taking many art classes to see if I can learn more techniques and I'm taking a few medical classes on top of that. Is there any other classes that you think would help me more other then the one at the red cross(I'm looking into signing up for that right now). Also I was reading this one article saying that in some states you have to get a license before even attempting to apprenticeship? Is this something I should look into and try to get? And just one last question I don't exactly understand flash drawing. Is it just drawing a picture but in different ways like black and white then color then the outline version? Thanks for your help this is really pushing me forward more after hearing from someone who has been through this before.

Well what do ya know. I actually just moved from utah last year. And I do see what you mean its hard to get an apprenticeship. Mainly because there are so many talented people in that state. As for places to check out I got a few buddys who work in Salt Lake at Big Deluxe Tattoo. The work those guys push out there is phenominal to say the least. Also Jared @ Lucky Bamboo Tattoo In Layton is another great artst and a preety bad ass dude. As for classes I dont really know what classes you have available at your school but here is some ideas. Start painting if you already haven't. Start using watercolors and sculpting with clay. Now yes this is not tattooing but it will help you see all the different ways of how color blending works, the diffirent dimensions of an object etc.. As for flash, it is basically anywhere from 1 to 7 of your own personal designs put on a large piece of paper. You really want whatever you put on these to be top of the line. I personally wouldn't be too focused on putting one of these together right now. As for a license don't worry about that just yet. When and if you get an apprenticeship your mentor will fill out all the details for you. Especially where you are out. Utah has some top of the line artist who are very very anti scratcher, meaning someone who has taught themselves, so tread very carefully. Dont buy a kit or do anything more than putting together a bad ass portfolio of some of your best work. Remember this takes alot of time and dedication. An apprenticeship is ment to be hard so it can weed out all the people who are truly not intrested in this work they just want the logo of a tattoo artist. Good luck to you and let me know if ya got any more answers. I am really familiar with utah so if ya need help located a good shop let me know. But Big Deluxe and Luck Bamboo are some of the nicest in the state in my opinion. Good luck to ya.

loser.

Thanks Noz :)