practice skin

Having served an apprentiship a couple of years ago and left on not great terms, I went into hiding from tattooing. Recently though I am determined to get back into it. I am a bit rusty though so decided to invest in some of this practice skin. In trying to create the standard of line work I used to have I set about with my liner on the practice skin, but, a few sheets later I have found that it still feels like I am tattooing on a trampoline made from the sole of a trainer. Is this right, or, is it that I really am that rusty??? Is there a technique for this stuff that I just dont seem to get?????? Infact, am I just going mad and after a couple of years its impossible to get a decent piece of line work going again?????? Please let me know what you have found with this stuff, it would really help my confidence in getting back to inking if it was not just me!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get discouraged! The stuff is nothing like real skin!

True that..... Practice skin don't bleed, react when hitting certain spots, change in texture...etc. Wouldn't Concentrate to much on getting it right on fake skin, but it might be good to use just to get the feel of the machine again.

PIGSKIN!!!

you sound like a pussy!!! do what most of us did work on close friends or tat your legs, fake is not real Biattcccchhhhhh!!!!!

Thanks for all the advice, I will just keep at it for now. But as for the PUSSY remark, "mate" if I was a bloke then the first place I would be is on my legs, but there is no way that as a female I am going to look like a scratching pole until I get a really good line. It may be ok for some to do that, but, I am capable of turning out really nice pieces with a good standard of line work, and there is no way I want to start again with poor work as an advert. But thanks anyway x

Jabba there are a couple of different methods to practice without risking you or your friends valueable skin...pig skin from the butcher ( hard to find but claose to human skin...work at room temp!) leather that has been soaked in hot water then partially dried also works ok. To practise depth use a large chicken/ small turkey.

that fake kin is garbage.i bought some to try some techniques and was expecting something fairly sophisticated for the price i paid.i was pissed to hell when i saw it was rubber.its fine if you just want to line but dont try to color or shade this crap.its better to just tattoo yourself every place you can reach.

Thanks Taz for the advice, on my way to the butchers as we speak, might even get a joint so I can cook dinner after I have stripped off the skin lol. X

Anyone hungry????? Bacon sandwiches all round !!!!!!!