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Flash day whoopsie
▲ 4 r/TattooApprentice

Flash day whoopsie

I’m recently apprenticing as of the last 6 months and we did a flash day last night to bring In Some clients for me to tattoo and make some extra cash. Pretty pumped on the design but toward the end of the lining process I put something where it shouldn’t have gone cuz the stencil was faded so much 😬

unfortunately the client couldn’t sit through it so I have to go back and touchup a bunch of stuff I couldn’t polish up on the top half of the design. My question to any other artists out there would be, what would you suggest to do to possibly fix this or merge it with the rest of the design. One of the circles from the mushroom made its way onto the part of the skull and was lowkey stressing. Maybe make the skull have some dimples? Somehow turn it into a crack? Bullet hole? Fuck any suggestions would be fantastic 😂

Love the design though, but mushrooms and smoke and top cap of the skull need work to add the dark blacks in and cleaner shading

Cheers

u/jaygibbz34 — 15 hours ago
▲ 51 r/TattooApprentice

Portfolio update’s making me feel negative

I just finished the flash sheet on the right, and I’m proud of “some” of the work I did. I love the fetal skulls the most, but the page itself for some reason doesn’t feel like it looks as good as I hoped.

I probably have some issues, but immediately after putting the flash into my portfolio and taking a step back to look at my work. I got this feeling that it just sucks, and my work sucks, and I’m getting discouraged with building and drawing more, but I don’t know why.
Did anyone else get like this while building their portfolio??? Or with drawing in general for tattoos?

If any one of you did, how did you get through it and get more confidence in your work?

I’ll keep going, but I’m worried that I won’t get accepted into an apprenticeship and I’m doing all of this for nothing.
I want to stop this feeling as soon as I can because now I dread drawing the next flash I have planned.

Anything helps :( I honestly feel as if I have dysmorphia when it comes to my work.

u/4Breasticles — 1 day ago
▲ 21 r/TattooApprentice

Portfolio advice

Hi! I’ve never posted photos on Reddit before but I’m looking for advice on whether my drawings are good enough for an apprenticeship, and if not what I should improve on. I know I should include different tattoo styles in the portfolio as well, which I’m planning on. But for now based on my drawings alone do you think I’m headed in the right direction for an apprenticeship or will a shop turn me away?

u/Fast-List4099 — 1 day ago
▲ 3 r/TattooApprentice+3 crossposts

seeking advice for my first ever tattoo: memorial ideas for my dad

i don’t quite know how to ask this, but i’m hoping this community can point me in the right direction and suggest something meaningful.
i recently lost my father to cancer. i’m not typically a "tattoo guy," but i love the concept of tattoos and my mother has never allowed or liked the idea of me getting one. however, losing my dad has changed things for me, and i strongly feel the need to get a memorial tattoo in his honor.

what i have in mind so far:

  1. a date tattoo: important dates in roman numerals.

  2. a "days" tattoo: the exact number of days we had together, from the day i was born until the day he passed.

  3. placement: i am currently considering my wrist or my arm.

specific advice i'm looking for:

  1. are there other memorial concepts you’ve seen or gotten that are powerful but relatively simple?

  2. any tips for a first-timer regarding placement (wrist vs. arm) and the healing process?

suggestions with a picture are more than welcome. all kinds of advice and ideas are appreciated. i really hope to find some good guidance here to help me figure out the perfect tribute to him. thank you in advance.

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u/eksafaar — 2 days ago
▲ 340 r/TattooApprentice

2 moths out from finishing my apprenticeship!

Hey guys! I'm 10 months into my apprenticeship and wanted to share my journey and experience as I am reaching the point where my mentor wants me to start working on skin in two months.

I'd really like to chat about the transition from fake skin to real skin with other apprentices who have done so, as I'm feeling a bit nervous. How did that go the first few times?

The very first tattoo I will be able to do under the guidance of my mentor is on myself, so that does put me at ease a bit.

All of the fake skin work (aside from the black and gray portrait with the dogwood flowers) are assignment-based objects my mentor wanted me to practice replicating. The portrait is my first design assignment. I'm interested in realism, both color and black and gray, botanicals, portraits, animals, etc.

But yeah, I just wanted to share some of my work and join this community before I'm no longer an apprentice. Really open to chatting about anything! <3

insta: alexandriaolivia

shop: The Fig Leaf, Los Angeles, CA

https://www.instagram.com/alexandriaolivia/

u/Alexandria0000 — 3 days ago
▲ 12 r/TattooApprentice

Some newer portfolio pieces I've made recently

Wanted to share some recent pieces I've put together for my portfolio as I'm working on talking to shops & trying to build out my account on Instagram. Would appreciate any feedback/critiques as I'm still working experimenting/working on finding a lane stylistically. Happy to answer any questions as well :)

IG: @workbymila if anyone wants to see more progress/work

u/WishParticular5265 — 2 days ago
▲ 16 r/TattooApprentice

Should I put this painting in my portfolio?

Would this be a good piece for my portfolio? I did this piece with acrylic paint. Feed back is much appreciated!

u/MoonlightsDreamArt — 3 days ago
▲ 1 r/TattooApprentice+1 crossposts

What paintbrushes should I get to paint flash?

I want to buy 2 Cotman brushes (one for ink, and other for water), but I don't know which number to get. Can you help me?

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u/tengu_road — 2 days ago
▲ 23 r/TattooApprentice

@tomb.stoned_ on Instagram. Will definitely show love back! Finally started an apprenticeship.

Building the social page! Any support is appreciated!

u/Agavincii — 3 days ago
▲ 18 r/TattooApprentice

Portfolio ,

Hi, I’ve just started building my portfolio. What do you think? I’d really appreciate some constructive feedback and suggestions on what else I should include. Best regards.

u/Naive_Jaguar_9485 — 3 days ago
▲ 137 r/TattooApprentice

First 3 paintings

I don’t have an apprenticeship yet, but I’m practicing different styles and painting flash so I can build a portfolio and look for one. I’m looking for constructive criticism

u/No-Ball-2046 — 4 days ago
▲ 37 r/TattooApprentice

Portfolio Advice for a wanna be apprentice :3

hello guys! i’m looking for constructive advice for my tattoo portfolio for a future apprenticeship!
initially i’d like to know if-
i have enough or do i need to make more.?
what art styles should i add?
what’s working and whats not?

i appreciate any and all constructive criticism as i’m so excited to show these around my town 🥹

u/beeluvsuuu — 4 days ago
▲ 9 r/TattooApprentice

Is this normal?

I've already had a few people tell me my apprenticeship isn't normal but I didn't share many details in fear my old shop would see.

Edit: I've already left and they originally tried to get me to come back but then changed their mind and deleted texts asking me to come back. But wanted to know if anyone has experience fighting a contract dispute because she has asked me for the money(up front or monthly installments, contract says installments are 800+/month) and I told her I wouldn't be paying due to the unfair mistreatment and the lack of training I received as I felt she didn't hold up her end of the contract but im afraid she gonna come after me somehow

Here's a list of the few things I noticed and had issue with

Contract:

Says apprenticeship will be 6 months-1 year

Includes normal things like duties and attendance requirements

"No backtalk" or possibly immediate dismissal

Cost is 10,000 (partly for training partly for supplies)

Regular assignments and training were agreed on

Non compete clause that lasts 3 years I think and says I can't work within 90 km of the shop.

Reality:

Tried to extend my apprenticeship because they were mad I took medical leave. (3 weeks yet the were trying to add 4 months on)

Got 3 assignments in the first few months, never again even when me and other artist asked to give me assignments

Weeks/months without training or access to fake skins

I had to provide my own supplies like fake skin, ink etc. Which is okay but then why are you charging me for supplies if I have to provide them.

Was told verbally, I have to be involved with the local outlaw bikers and attend their parties or help setup events for clubs that need help. (Ended up only going to one party)

Was called names, made fun of for my weight, called "catfish" when they saw older photos of me when I was smaller. This was all aired out in front of their friends and clients and they were encouraged to join in.

Sexual innuendos and unwanted contact from bikers that were just laughed off, I would laugh along because I was uncomfortable and afraid to rock the boat.

5 month break period where I was just doing labour and renos for the new shop with no training(days lasted upto 11 hours)

Was told I couldn't take sick days and was punished if I ever had to but other days they allowed it if they were worried about me getting clients sick

Was told to eat sleep breathe tattooing and art yet my mentor used ai, rarely drew anything original and bragged about stealing other people's work

Intentionally went harder than needed to while tattooing me because "this'll teach you a lesson" "you deserve it" "it's just your skin, I can do whatever"

Called a fucking idiot and stupid in front of my clients for asking a question she had previously been unclear about.

Received maybe a few hours worth of training over the course of 11 months and anything I was "taught" was extremely basic and unclear. Like hold your machine at this angle when I was already doing that.

Much was "watch me" but then "don't do what I do, do as I say" effectively admitting she cuts corners

Would intentionally charge more for clients she didn't like as much

Would brag about times she beat people up, or how many guns she had, trying to put on this tough guy attitude so no one would stand up.

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u/schizosjambalaya — 3 days ago
▲ 474 r/TattooApprentice+2 crossposts

Peonies! @jeremy.eckstein.tattoo in Philly, PA

My name is Jeremy. I am an apprentice tattooer in Philly, PA. I love peonies and would love to tattoo these! Colored pencil on tracing paper. Thanks for looking :)

u/TattooRemy — 5 days ago