tips on art,

Im currently trying to improve my art as much as i can so that i can get good enough to my standard and tattooist standard, as i want to work towards a portfolio and looking for an apprenticeship. i don't really want to do art courses as from what i have seen from the courses i can do theres not alot that can help me with tattooing or tattoo designs. i am i competant pencil artist and draw alot however ive posted another thread, with my art work linked to it and ive been told im not good enough yet which i agree with altho alot of people who have seen it don't. anyways this is probably starting to turn into abit of a rant so i will cut to the chase. what sorta things would u suggest i draw alot of for a portfolio i love black and grey art and am working on solid lines and fine lines. however i love designing for other people so it would help to get any ideas from people of tattoo designs that they would think look cool so i can try them, and also any tips on what to practice on. http://loserdraven.deviantart.com/gallery/ i have already been told that the name i use isn't a good idea but that doesn't matter at the moment ill make a new account wen i have better stuff to draw. also please ignore the sloppyness of the celtic cross as it was my first ever celtic style design

Wiat, you can't learn anything from art classes that pertains to tattooing? Im sorry but are you just an idiot? Before you can expect to tattoo and do tattoo designs well, you need to work on your basic drawing, and color skills first. All of which can be taught to you in great detail in classes and hone your skill. You have to learn to walk before you can run man.

no when i say that, i mean the courses near me all have alot of other crap involved that im not interested in, alot of them involve about a month of actual drawing and colouring the rest is sculpting, and other stuff that doesnt help my drawing skills. i can do all of the basic stuff in drawings im looking for tips on styles and things that i should look at to see if theres anything ive not thought about learning. i did art at school and got a crap grade as for some reason there was fuck loads written work involved and im shit at explaining how to do something or how i did something in writing. the only thing i learnt in art at school was that i can draw watever i want if i put enough time into it. i know alot of people doin art courses, fine art courses and everything there is to do with art courses and drawing wise im better then alot of them. wen it comes to pain i cant do it. but personally i think tattooing is more like drawing then painting. but i expected someone to complain about me saying bad things about art courses because everyone always does but how i see it is. trial and error with plenty of practice, is the best way for me to improve. yet again styles i should learn and any other tips u would like to give on here

add on to the last message i posted and reason being everyone keeps saying art courses. right please do not suggest them unless your from south yorkshire, mainly sheffield in england(UK england not new england) because i did look into art courses wen i first went to college where i decided on studying media instead cos the only thing i like as much as drawing and tattoo art is guitar and film. and i didn't know how to get into tattooing at the time so i dint try i just kept drawing and ive almost finnished my course and needed a change hence the intrest in tattooing. also do not call me stupid even if your from sheffield unless u can name a really good place i can study art that is atleast 50% about drawing. http://loserdraven.deviantart.com/gallery/ just thought id clear that up as i realise this is an american site and there is alot more tattooists, artists, colleges, and places to go to learn stuff that is worth while. i wish i did live in america because simply alot of the stuff im intrested in like film is in america big time. only down side is george bush and guns

Buy lots of tattoo magazines, get to no the industry, history of it ALL. read tips, see whats popular, and practise.. when you start getting *real recognition then put together a simple portfolio ( 4 A3 illustrations) no more, and try and get some variation with both color and black and white. after alllllllll of that your only shot of getting into the tattoo industry is getting an aprenticship at somm tatt shop, where you will have to wash and clean shitt, for what will seem like forever intill you get the privilage of practicing on oranges. be prepared for a long wait, alot of patience. and do not show any celtic pictures, only pro tatt artists do that kinda thing caus its real time consuming acurate Work. and if whoever tells you to come back in a couple years, listen to every pice of advice, try other shops, listen and do as your told. thats all i gota say, And IM from york just so ye no mate. hope it helps, and sos about the spelling.

wow, so ummm, yeah i would suggest finding a new career choice, not to be rude or anything but man... i dont think art class is gunna help you, some people have it.. some dont

Having looked through your portfolio, I'm not at all impressed. YES, take some art classes, whether or not the class focuses on drawing. It's better to have a little extra knowledge (such as scultping) than nothing at all. You may even find a new passion. Start with the basics, even if you think you're too good for them. You're not. Basic drawing, basic figure drawing, then work your way to more advanced courses. Take some watercolor courses, once you lay down the paint, there's very little you can do without messing it up. It can get you familiar with permanence. Drawing is as important as design and color, which can be learned through a specialty class or through painting. Beautiful paintings don't accidentally end up the way, there's a process having to do with color, placement, and fluidity. You should also definitely be buying lots and lots of tattoo magazines. If you have no interested whatsoever in taking classes, which you should seriously do, buy drawing & art books. Like I said, it's not ALL about drawing, even if all you want to be is a flash artist. You should never stop learning, even if you think you're the best. There's always room for improvement. But then again, bobber could be right. Some people have it, others don't. But I do encourage you, you have the desire and drive. It's good that you're getting feedback.

Hey Tom .. Man I just got done going through your online porfolio and although you have some creative "ideas" I totaly agree with a few of the guys above that you really could benifit from a couple art classes.. you have a few designs that are cool and could be tweated into really sweet drawlings.. but honestly as they stand they are extremly elementary (not try to be mean here bro.. just being totaly honest)... When I applied for an apprenticeship the first time I was laughed at.. and was told there was no work to warrent an apprentice in the shop... so for months I just keep working on my portfolio.. and months later I walked into another shop.. and the artist looked through my portfolio and was brutly honest with me.. Told me I had some excellent drawling skills (most of my portfolio was in lead designs or ink designs) but that I needed to go home and bust out some serious paintings.. So that is what I did.. (but I have years of background in art and honestly at this moment even though Ive landed an apprenticeship Im still looking to take MORE art classes to hone what I already know ).. Drwaling is one thing.. but having true artistic skill is another.. And I honestly believe that is one amazing thing about the art of tattooing.. you gotta know alot more then just how to draw! Knowing how to draw is just the basic first step.. you need to know the full realm of art.. shading, hightlighting, ect.. but in you case from looking at your work.. I suggest you work on porportion! Best of luck man..

hummm..you're really not very good at all...you say an art class cant help you, well maybe you should ask a 3rd grader for some tips, because I have seen work by 7 year olds that wipe the floor with your crap..and thats the truth...good luck in your quest to becoming the first ever tattoo artist who specializes in crappy 3rd grade art. Im sure the market is big for that style... Peace.

Your drawing is flat and lacks depth.Go buy "Drawing on the right side of the brain" by betty edwards. It's a good book and can help. It was my textbook in high school and at UGA. If this does not help I would suggest another trade.

Man you are really gettin knocked down here huh? Well thats how it would be in real life when ya do a bad tattoo! You seem like you want it NOW without putting in the dues to deserve it bro.All the stuff people are saying here is true. You do not have a clue about art and ANY art course sculpting painting WHATEVER will improve your skills.You might get a little better on your own but you will never be a real artist without the direction of art classes. Try to find some artists in your area, not tattoo artists, just artists go talk to them you will be surprised at what you can learn. But my friend until you open yourself up to learning it all you are living in a dream world and will never be an artist. Doesn't it tell you something that so many people here are saying the same thing to you? It should!

exactly.. and man were not trying to be mean were just trying to set you straight so, that you don't lose yourself in something that at this point needs alot of work. (although I find it hard to believe you've looked at some of that tat's on here or origional art and think you have skills???? ) best of luck man! by the way that book "Drawling on the left side of your brain" (or whatever its called is a GREAT starting point.. and even a good learning tool for anybody..

Hi Tom. You've obviously got a lot of passion for drawing, and I personally think that if you want to take it into tattoos, you should stick with it. I don't know how old you are, but to me your designs simply look inexperienced. That doesn't mean you don't have an eye for things or you don't 'have it' by any means. "Having it" is a matter of ones own perception, imagination, confidence, and competence, as far as I'm concerned, and I would advise you to take yours to good places. Don't get flustered because I say your sketches look inexperienced, I mean experience isn't just a portfolio, it' about life and time. Keep drawing. If you don't want to go to art classes, then don't. I doubt very much you can't find one in Sheffield, but if that's really so, or if none of them are your cup of tea, try to find like minded people around you and learn from them. There's plenty of decent graffiti up there. But like the first guys said, learn to walk before you can run. Your Koi Carp is really rather nice from a distance, but it looks sloppy up close, and learning technique will solve that for you. Copy things. Copy complex things and learn to notice subtlety. Work on simple things and making smooth edges. Take good advice. And there are plenty of degrees out there in illustration, although you'll ned GCSE's and A levels or BTEC before hand. Keep excited, but be patience. you're enthusiastic, that's what's important. Nobody is going to let you tatoo them with something they don't like, so don't worry about what it is you create. One day you'll hit it. Hope the waters don't affect you too badly. Cordially, Bennett

Of course, I meant, "be patient". Bloody Yoda complex coming out at yeay o'clock in the mmorning.

1_ Take a pad and pencil with you everywhere (if a camera is not available). 2_ Draw what you SEE, not what you KNOW. Don't ever rush it, take all the time you need. 3_ Study the effects of color and blackwork/black-and-gray to see how they got them. The first true step to becoming a real artist is "observation". When you can see what effects cause the details you notice, then you can attempt to represent them. 4_ Aside from the recommended book, here are some others that you can easily find on Amazon.com: a - "Anatomy for the Artist" by Sarah Simblet will give you references for light-and-shadow, perspective and proper muscle placement. b - "Drawing Animals" by Norman Adams and Joe Singer c - "Anatomy for Fantasy Artist" by Glenn Fabry d - "Drawing Cutting Edge Comics" by Christopher Hart (Once you have master the theory of "Draw what you see, not what you know", this will be a great way to innovate ideas for line drawings based on working from a thumbnail sketch through the finishes.) e - "Sketchbook" by Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell f - "Draw and Sketch Buildings" by Jim Woods These will be a start. 5_ ANY classes that teach painting and oils are necessities for color use; blends; application; tricks and effects and finishes. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...There's is no substitute