Thank you almighty tattoo gods.

I love how this is supposed to be answers for questions yet the only answer for every question is "seek apprenticeship". Most people understand that this isnt somthing to be taken lighty. Iv seen words like ignorant and arrogent used hundreds of times on this site. Well no shit. The idea behinds questions and answers is to fix the ignorance issue. So questions come from a wanna be or kitchen magician or scratcher. Duh. If they had all the answers like the pros they wouldnt come looking then would they? I noticed that most, not all but most tattoo artists think they are better than everybody else, including the costumer. You like to belittle people for comming to you for answers and it seems to me like a bunch of artists who are pissed off because they had to be somebodies bitch in a tattoo shop for several years so insted of actually helping people by answering the questions they have you call them stupid or ignorant and you speek to them like they are children. Not everybody has the option to walk into a tattoo business and work for free. Most people have jobs or school and other responsibilities. Tattooing may be a dream for them yet they may not have any other choice then to carve up their legs in order to get experience. Its not like your a brain surgeon. Your an artist. Granted some are more talented than others but that goes with anything anybody does in life. Get off your high horse and help people. Everybody starts somewhere. Oh and I know it sucks getting ink that looks like shit. But its not too cool shitting on another artists work just because you think its not as good as yours. If everybody was as perfect as you well, then you just wouldnt have a site where you can go and bash people then would you?

I really wonder weather there is any point in responding because if your mind is made up, I can not change it. I can only tell you that I am self-taught, I KNOW that I am no better than you, however, I have learned a few valuable lessons. Self-taught newbies (That was me 2 1/2 years ago..and still - although, I am on a tattooing hiatus) want technical questions answered. The honest truth is, when a true artist tells you to seek an apprenticeship, they ARE giving you THE best advise. (Read the post on the top of the list here about how to obtain an apprenticeship). But no one wants the "good" advice, they want the advice they are set out to get (How far should the needles go in?...etc...) The truth is, there is a proper setting to learn all aspects of the trade and, while I agree, it's not rocket science, it's not something that should be learned in a kitchen/basement either OR over the internet. Before you even get to tattoo, it takes a lot of training to learn about blood-borne pathogens, proper cleaning, disinfection and sterilization. These are things that, in my opinion, you cannot learn, unless you're in a shop and doing them routinely. Then there is obviously the technical side of it and the artistic...It is not "rocket science" but it is a semi-invasive procedure. You mention something about the poor wannabe artists who don't have the opportunity to get an apprenticeship...What is this telling you? There simply is no need for the gabillion wannabe tattoo artists compared to the amount of people who want to be tattooed. This industry truly has no room for anything now but THE very best. I am in the boat where I have a LOT to learn artistically and I refuse to continue putting sub-par work on people. I have the fortune of getting sleeved by someone who's seriously talented and after having his work on me, I feel it is unfair to inflict my less than/average tattoos on the public. The fine people of this industry are not "anti-you" they are "pro-industry". They want to see great artwork, done in a clean atmosphere by people who have been properly trained. You can not have the "trial and error" mentality when it comes to live skin and human beings. Not only will you put bad tattoos on them (and, YES, you will) but you will also put them at great risk of infection or, worse, serious disease. From my own experience, I can share with you that not only does being "self-taught" take longer but you also accumulate horrible habits that are hard to undo. Seriously, from someone who knows, work on your art (pencil, canvas, whatever) and impress a shop enough to offer you an apprenticeship. I'm not bullshitting you by telling you what you want to hear. I am telling you what you NEED to hear. Seriously. Believe it or not, this post comes straight from the heart...take it or leave it. Good Luck!

Wow. Why is this so hard to understand. Learning how to tattoo is exactly like going to college. If your wanting to be an accountant you can go out of your way and teach yourself. You can buy books, hit up a few internet sites and get as much information as you can. The problem being when going to get that accountant job a degree from college stands out a lot better than I taught myself. People ask for answers and they are given the best one. Its just not good enough for you. It should be handed to you not earned. Personally I can give a fuck less where and how you learn how to tattoo. All I try and say is if your truly into tattooing as a career for yourself then why would you want to initially start off on the wrong road? It just makes no sense. And stop with the fucking excuses of Ohhh I can't find one or all the tattoo shops in my area suck and are all dicks. Maybe its because you went there and they told you to work on your art work. And instead of listening to them and building your artistic abilities you said these guys are just jealous that I will be better than them. Hahahahah. You all remind me of the stupid ass people who go on american Idol and can't sing for shit. Your given an honest answer and instead of taking that and building from it you run out the room crying like a little bitch talking about how your going to be the greatest. Get over yourself. Another note I find it so funny that you people talk about how easy it is to tattoo and how anyone can do it and yet your constantly on forums asking questions cause ya dont know what the fuck your doing. Hahahaha. Fucking Pathetic. If you can't take criticism well trust me this industry is not for you.

I completely agree. NOT something that should be learned in a basement. NOT a goal where taking short cuts is a practical idea to say the least. And I agree that getting trained from a pro is definitely the best course to take. All Im saying is aside from all the half wits out there who are throwing ink in their arm with make shift tools, there are people who are very seriouse about it and come looking to the people they respect for answers. Not to be insulted with unconstructive criticism. Most people can tell the differance. As mentioned about "needle depth" some of us want to know just as much about bbp and cc. Its well known that there is an endless amount to learn and anyone who asks questions isnt trying to make your career seem insignificant. We arent all 14yo kids trying to fuck up our friends. Try not to take our quest for education as disrespect.

another crying scratcher thread. tiresome.

Showing that your truly dedicated to learning how to tattoo can not by any means be done on an internet forum. Simple as that. Yes there are people who ask and get shot down by artist and it comes across as being an ass. Look at noz for example. If you go back and look at previous post from people asking the same questions 3-4 years ago he gave them honest answer. And was told by people like you that he was just an arrogant asshole who knows nothing about tattoing and is afraid they will be better than him. There is only so much someone can take when trying to lead people in the right direction and being treated like that. You eventually just say fuck it. So if you honestly ever wonder why alot of these vets give you a go fuck yourself answer. Its your fault.

Why don't people get that getting into tattooing is not like getting a liberal arts degree. You can't just take some online classes and at night (whenever it's convenient) and then be done. It's more akin to becoming an architect. You have to have that "on the job" training from a professional. Someone with a good reputation that isn't willing to let you fuck anyone up. BOTTOM LINE: If you aren't willing to ditch your other responsibilities to become a tattoo artist, then you can't become one. And if you really CAN'T ditch your responsibilities, I get it. There's nothing wrong with that. But I'm sorry, you can't be a tattoo artist. So stop trying. If you're serious about art then try painting or sculpture. You can't give canvas or clay HEP C.

okay

its posted plain as day at the top of the forum NO TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ALLOWED or they will be deleted, well too bad they dont really delete them, they probibly did at first but grew tired of so many people who cant learn to read, if you cant follow simple instructions dont bother trying to tattoo someone

"its posted plain as day at the top of the forum NO TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ALLOWED or they will be deleted, well too bad they dont really delete them, they probibly did at first but grew tired of so many people who cant learn to read, if you cant follow simple instructions dont bother trying to tattoo someone" Where is the technical question ya goofy bitch?

Maby I couldnt be bothered to learn to spell. Should I then refrain from tattooing as well? PROBIBLY SHOOD

You honestly can't be that stupid kid. Your whole rant was about people not answering technical question to people getting started the wrong way. So if your bitching about people not answering technical questions then wouldn't saying there is no technical questions on this forum seems like a reasonable thing to say. That's is of course if you passed high school. Fuck even Jr. High students could justify that response.

Mr. J You're a troll, plain and simple. You have taken the bait of anyone smart-assing you but when given a "from-the-heart" response, you give nothing in return. You aren't committed to becoming a tattoo artist. You are committed to telling people you can...when you can not. Delusional loser.

No. I took the respectful responce and rebuttled in a civil manor. Then, after getting the whole "your an idiot" speech did I get nasty. If any of you shitheads were half as smart as you like to think you are you wouldnt be slangin' ink. I know that there is a hundred thousand people out there that think they can do it. I also know that about 75 in 100 people are half wits. Its no big deal. Go ahead and tell any of these inmates or bikers who got inked by their cell mates or brothers that the work they got was from some fuckin' scratcher. Or any of the cute little nick names you have. You'll have a reality check handed to you. You have put yourself above everyone else as you pampered middleclass twits always seem to do. Your fuckin' dirtbags just like the rest of us. Atleast the scratchers know their scumbags. You keep on screamin about how we dont know shit. But everyone of you assholes started from the bottom. And 9 out of 10 of you are only in the biz cuz you fucked up and couldnt get threw math class. Lie to me. I dont care. Lie to yourself all day. Truth be told all you have is one skill. Come down off your pedestal and see first hand, all you do is put art on skin insted of paper. There were "scratchers" using tattoo guns before there was almighty tatto artists using the sacred machine. Here, just ffs. Right now I see a piece on my left from Bob Tyrell. A fuckin' beautiful piece of work. On my arm is a scarred up tat that is uneasy on the eyes. And as unplesent as it is it has just as much personality as the one on the left side of your screen. Your NOT better. your NOT surgions. And your NOT a gift to the tattoo industry. Every great thing started in a basement. Infact your holier than thou ass was probably conceived in a basement. How can you argue with that?

No. I took the respectful responce and rebuttled in a civil manor. Then, after getting the whole "your an idiot" speech did I get nasty. If any of you shitheads were half as smart as you like to think you are you wouldnt be slangin' ink. I know that there is a hundred thousand people out there that think they can do it. I also know that about 75 in 100 people are half wits. Its no big deal. Go ahead and tell any of these inmates or bikers who got inked by their cell mates or brothers that the work they got was from some fuckin' scratcher. Or any of the cute little nick names you have. You'll have a reality check handed to you. You have put yourself above everyone else as you pampered middleclass twits always seem to do. Your fuckin' dirtbags just like the rest of us. Atleast the scratchers know their scumbags. You keep on screamin about how we dont know shit. But everyone of you assholes started from the bottom. And 9 out of 10 of you are only in the biz cuz you fucked up and couldnt get threw math class. Lie to me. I dont care. Lie to yourself all day. Truth be told all you have is one skill. Come down off your pedestal and see first hand, all you do is put art on skin insted of paper. There were "scratchers" using tattoo guns before there was almighty tatto artists using the sacred machine. Here, just ffs. Right now I see a piece on my left from Bob Tyrell. A fuckin' beautiful piece of work. On my arm is a scarred up tat that is uneasy on the eyes. And as unplesent as it is it has just as much personality as the one on the left side of your screen. Your NOT better. your NOT surgions. And your NOT a gift to the tattoo industry. Every great thing started in a basement. Infact your holier than thou ass was probably conceived in a basement. How can you argue with that?

Its actually very easy to argue with that but I see now your one of a few things. Retarded. Some stupid ass kid. Or someone who has been told how shitty of scratcher they are by real tattoo artist and has held a little bit of a grudge. Either way your a very hard headed indivual who is set in there ways. And by the way I have told quite a few people that the work they have looks like shit and guess what the reality is you stupid ass.....they ask me to either fix it or cover it up. Wow what a shocker. Stop rambling on about the same fucking thing over and over. You were given great advice and proved nothing more than how dumb you are. Look man keep on scratching. Seriously. And prove everyone wrong and how great you can be. Good luck seriously. But I find it funny you say we are tattoo artist because we could do nothing else and failed math class. Hahahah. So what the fuck does that make you?? Probably a illiterate, inbreed, disease spreading loser. Keep up the good work champ.

Touche. Not that anyone understood a phuckin word you said, but Im sure in your oun mind you made a strong point.

I must be illierat. An dum@ reasin cant spell cus retardness. evin doe dumb gots nuttin 2 doo wit intellegants. Your doing a great job at proving my point. Bet you the price of an over charged ink blot I make you my bitch. T.D

I think what you ment was "inbred". Inbeed is a verb and discribes an action, while inbred is a noun wich I think is where you were goin with your grade school attack.. And not likely. Loser? Stupid? Yeh I'm not exactly at the top of my class. If I had even gone to class. I found school boring and a waist of time. I work a shit hole job that I dred going to every day. So loser seems to sum up my entire life. Never the less J.D, you are my bitch. You can thank me later when you are'nt sounding off trying to make yourself feel important. Although you will be punished for your aggressive indiscretions. You should all be familiar with the following statement. Read the top before posting. Well I'm almost positive that all the shit your complaining about has nothing to do with the topic we are on. I know, I know. I'v already waisted so much time wiping my ass on your argument. But it seems that the entire subject was done and over with about 14 responces ago. Now, since I have nothing better to do with my time. Being a loser and all. Im more than happy to hand your ass to you every time you open your mouth. But only because I'm a loser. Not because I'm hard headed.

I think what you ment was "inbred". Inbeed is a verb and discribes an action, while inbred is a noun wich I think is where you were goin with your grade school attack.. And not likely. Loser? Stupid? Yeh I'm not exactly at the top of my class. If I had even gone to class. I found school boring and a waist of time. I work a shit hole job that I dred going to every day. So loser seems to sum up my entire life. Never the less J.D, you are my bitch. You can thank me later when you are'nt sounding off trying to make yourself feel important. Although you will be punished for your aggressive indiscretions. You should all be familiar with the following statement. Read the top before posting. Well I'm almost positive that all the shit your complaining about has nothing to do with the topic we are on. I know, I know. I'v already waisted so much time wiping my ass on your argument. But it seems that the entire subject was done and over with about 14 responces ago. Now, since I have nothing better to do with my time. Being a loser and all. Im more than happy to hand your ass to you every time you open your mouth. But only because I'm a loser. Not because I'm hard headed.

Your so cute when you mad haha. First off if your going to correct my grammar make sure you yourself is spelling it correctly. So you are a drop out huh. Very nice that you try so hard to say whatever the hell you were trying to get across and manage to prove my point in the process. Just like you said, your a drop out and work a bullshit job. So what I am guessing is all the shit you said a little while back that all us tattoo artist are loser who couldn't even pass math class you were actually speaking of yourself. Nice. Look kid you shouldn't even have a fucking voice in this subject. Your point was never made what so ever. The only thing you proved is how truly stupid you are. Its preety funny that I really didn't have to do much to make you prove it. So I guess thanks champ.

Your so cute when you mad haha. First off if your going to correct my grammar make sure you yourself is spelling it correctly. So you are a drop out huh. Very nice that you try so hard to say whatever the hell you were trying to get across and manage to prove my point in the process. Just like you said, your a drop out and work a bullshit job. So what I am guessing is all the shit you said a little while back that all us tattoo artist are loser who couldn't even pass math class you were actually speaking of yourself. Nice. Look kid you shouldn't even have a fucking voice in this subject. Your point was never made what so ever. The only thing you proved is how truly stupid you are. Its preety funny that I really didn't have to do much to make you prove it. So I guess thanks champ.

Im sorry T.D. And thanks for calling me champ. Its inspirational. And I hope when I grow up, if I grow up, I can see things a little more clearly. Please find it in you to forgive me for my random blurting.

Mr. J Let me go back to being civil. My apologies! I reread your first response to me. Again, I'll reiterate that you and I are actually a lot alike (sorry if that offends you - HA!). I, too, was/am self taught and want(ed) to learn ALL aspects of tattooing such as the health aspects, not only the technical information. I wanted to do things as "right as possible", in spite of not getting an apprenticeship...if that makes sense. I personally believe that the health and safety information should not be guarded what-so-ever. Hell, even a client can learn from this information about what to look for in a good shop. However, the needle depth example is obviously a technical question. Anyone who knows can sit here and tell you the proper needle depth. But when you ask such a seemingly elementary question, it just makes one think of what else you don't know. So great, now you know the correct depth...but you still don't know weather your machine is tuned properly, etc.. I feel that a pro answering these questions does not help the so-called scratcher or the industry, it just gives the self-taught person the false belief that now they know how to apply a tattoo properly. The truth is, they know ONE more thing but they're still going to put a jacked up tattoo on someone. So many times you hear new people saying "Why not just help them?" - this is why. How does this help you, your client or the industry as a whole? Another thing is a cycle I've noticed - Try to understand: Newbie asks technical question. Some dumb ass, like me, wastes their time typing their fingers off so that said Newbie gives them a big "Fuck You" or tries to defend why you should give tech info in spite off all you just told them. The Newbie is a fair-weathered friend who is only nice when you tell them what they want to hear. Then, understandably so, said dumb ass gets pissed and stops bothering to type out long posts that go unheeded no matter how level-headed and logical you try to be. I know with myself, it was easy to rationalize what I was doing because I was trying to do everything as safely and correctly as possible. And, I will be honest and tell you that because of my (non)attitude, I have been given some great technical advice. But this is because I tried to remain respectful and always felt that I could learn a lot, even from the most tight-lipped tattoo artist...even if all he/she told me was to draw more. Bottom line (on this forum anyway) is that pros are more than willing to give you advice on how to earn/obtain a proper apprenticeship. They are not willing to give this information to the wide open public. You personally might take the information and use it responsibly. But that does not apply to everyone who is able to read these forums. Also, you cannot expect seasoned artists who've learned by paying, through money or sweat, to type up an e-apprenticeship for you for free. I'm telling you, man, listen to and absorb every scrap you are thrown. It truly is in your best interest. In the meantime, work on your art, learn everything you can from skin anatomy to BBP's, etc... And, be a little resourceful, the tech info you want is out there, just not on this forum. ;) Good luck!

`burp`

Wow. You are entirely too nice gina. But what a great post. I personally am going to stop feeding this fire. I hope the best for ya "champ" but your asking in the wrong place. If your really intrested into building you tattoo skills, which personally I doubt, atleast go to a local artist somewhere in the east coast, where ya live and try to atleast make friends with him/her and maybe they could lead ya down the right path. And just for the record you can teach yourself but if you haven't noticed even the artists who have taught themselves scream out too get an apprenticeship. Wonder why??

i think it would probably be best for champ to go cornhole himself. the combo of his stretched anus, and the proliferation of genital warts should make for some unholy home vids.

Cornholing something noz learned during his apprenticship? And if you think the warts are ammusing wait till yer ol' lady tells you where she got hers. Let her know Im not paying the medical bills on that shit either.

I knew it, you fucker.