Essential Tips and Advice for Starting Your Tattoo Apprenticeship

It's a question I have been asked a lot. From clients who are just interested in my background to people who are interested in starting their own tattoo journey, the question stays the same. So here's how I got into the industry, what you should consider or look out for and where to start.

My Story:

So I decided to get into tattooing whilst I was a student at Kingston Art College. I had a lecturer named Desmond Byrne, who is a retired tattoo artist. Desmond had brushed shoulders with industry titans and been around in the early days of London's tattoo culture. It was there that Desmond kindled my love for the industry, taking me under his wing and teaching me everything he knew about the history and culture of tattooing. In the two years I spent with him, He taught me about the many styles, motifs, legends, artists of importance as well as how to draw for tattoos.

After I left Kingston, I went on my hunt to finding an apprenticeship. I went to the first Big London convention with my portfolio and went around the event trying to strike conversations. It was there I was lucky enough to meet Julian Bogdan and Ana. Julian had been and still is a main idol for me, so I took the opportunity to talk to him, I showed them both my portfolio and they invited me to come hang out at their studio Dirty Old Town in Bethnal Green. They weren't looking for an apprentice but they showed me immense kindness, and helped point me in the right direction when it come to look, and from it I became lucky enough to call them friends.

I started with all my dream studios, places that I would have loved to work at. I started at Yours Truly, where I met the manager, who gave me a list of studios to ask. I went everywhere from Nine Tails to Frith Street to Seven Doors. I spent three months of going door to door, hearing no after no, until I reached Hammersmith Tattoo who took me on. I worked at Hammersmith 3 days a week as the apprentice, coming in at 10am to clean the studio so it was ready for the artists at 11am, responding to emails, making orders, taking bookings for artists amongst other duties. I was an apprentice for a year and a half, it was tough, but I made a lot of friends and I believe it is an essential first step to becoming a tattoo artist.

How can you make your start? :

So there are a couple things I would suggest for you to do/consider before starting your search:

• Create a portfolio - your portfolio should include:

  • Art you enjoy creating.

  • Pieces done both digitally and traditionally (by hand)

  • pieces inspired by different styles of tattooing (e.g. Traditional, Japanese etc.)

  • small flash designs that are simple and fit within the palm of your hand.

• Do some research on different Tattoo styles, Tattoo artists and Tattoo history. Tattoo artists will take you more seriously if you know this stuff as it shows you are about the industry verses just wanting a 'cool job'

• Find tattoo artists whose work inspires you. You'll want to be learning from the people who tattoo in the style or way you would like to.

• You will most likely be unpaid. Tattoo apprenticeships aren't a government scheme and most shops can't afford to pay an apprentice. Be prepared to work a part time job alongside your apprenticeship in order to earn a living.

• There is no set length to an apprenticeship. This will all depend on you and your mentor, it can range anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.

Tip's when looking for an apprenticeship:

• Go to these shop's in person with a physical portfolio. Email's and DM's aren't taken seriously. People want to see who their future apprentice is, get a feel for your personality. Also you'll get proper feedback face to face rather than over an email.

• Start with the artists/shops you want to learn from.

• Get tattooed. This is one I always got told and never took seriously, but getting tattooed in the quickest way top get an artist's attention and to strike up a conversation. When you walk into a shop with good ink on you, artists will take more of an interest in you and more often than not leads to something even if its just tips and recommendations.

• Draw, Draw, Draw. Again another one that I kept hearing and never really took seriously. But it is probably the most important one. Not only are you going to keep improving your drawing ability, but you're going to flesh out your portfolio, giving these artist's more work to look at. This is going to improve your chances of getting an apprenticeship, as along with drawing ability it shows your dedication.

• Don't Give Up! You're most likely going to hear more "no's" than you hear a "yes". It can be really demoralising, but keep trying and you will get somewhere.

I hope this helps and best of luck.

Carl

A flash sheet I was working on as an apprentice.