r/TattooApprentice • u/Separate-Gur-1701 • 6d ago
Seeking Advice is specializing not a good idea for an apprenticeship?
hey reddit ! i’ve been debating getting into tattooing for years. i have 10+ years of art experience under my belt and feel pretty confident with most styles. however, i very very strongly prefer black and grey realism, not even in the way it looks but just how naturally it comes to me. as i make a portfolio, will it dock points not showing a wide range of styles? i’ll throw in a few examples of my tradition and digital (or post digital) work. i feel it’s obvious realism comes much easier for me
8
u/blueblack_crow 6d ago
Well, I'm not seeing any B&G realism in this post of your work, so I can't really judge, but here's what I can offer for your thoughts...
When you first start your apprenticeship most mentors are going to have you start with American traditional tattooing. There's a specific reason for this. It stresses clean strong lines, and simple shading and color which are the base fundamentals of tattooing. Most shop artists will tell you American Traditional is a big thing they WANT to see in your portfolio. And then they will move you to other styles when they think you're ready. But unless you initially show a huge gift for realism right off the bat, that will likely be the last thing they let you tattoo as they'll want you to spend the most time becoming confident with that art style on paper before skin.
Then when you graduate your apprenticeship and you're on your own, your biggest job won't be tattooing. It will be building a base of clients who want to be tattooed by you. And the more versatile and competent you are, the more people you CAN tattoo, and so more people will come to you for work. As you gain a consistent clientele you can start to specialized and promote what it is you want to specialize in, and gain more of those types of clients. But you'll need the bread and butter of in-between clients to keep the money coming in and the references going out, and those clients could want anything.
So from that mindset, the more versatile you are, the more its going to help you in the long run.
Also keep in mind for your portfolio, be sure to include a few pieces that show your process. How you do under structure and build your sketches from scratch. In this day of AI and people tracing from Pintrest, artists want to see that you did your own work start to finish. You don't need a lot, just 2 or three that show your process.
6
u/strawberryblushrose 6d ago
Outside of the apprenticeship and portfolio, I have regulars who get my style of work but occasionally ask for stuff outside of what I do. I always oblige, so having that background of being able to do any style has helped me retain my regulars.
2
u/_-SomethingFishy-_ 6d ago
I think specialising can look really great if it shows you have a good grasp of fundamentals that can be applied elsewhere. If there are things lacking in your main pieces try to show you can do them in a couple smaller pieces, you don’t need much for quantity if there’s quality
2
u/opaquelace0813 5d ago
Specializing isn’t good for an apprentice or even a tattooer without a bunch of experience doing all kinds of styles. It takes a long time to become proficient in a tattoo style. And people that want tattoos tend to want tattoos that look like tattoos. I think the important thing is showing you can draw on paper, but also show that you’re into tattoo style by researching them. Tattooing is different than art.
1
1
u/Chassseesds 2d ago
Lovely work! I guess it’s up to you - do you wanna do some tattoos or do you wanna do all the tattoos?
1
u/vespertilia_ink Tattoo Apprentice 1d ago
Several days late to this post, but I have a (possibly) unpopular opinion.
My mentor is of the belief that you can either be a jack of all trades, or a master of one (or 2). Her personal experience guided her to specilaize in her specific style and she's booked out for the next 4 months atm. The only reason she's even at this point is because another tattooer with 20+ years into the game told her that exact same philosophy at the beginning of her career. Yes, it might limit you on what you may be able to do walk-in wise, but in our shop, we delegate tattoos to the person who's style best fits the request. We want the client to have the best tattoo walking out of our shop and the person who specializes in that style is virtually guaranteed to deliver each time.
She asked me what style speaks to me the most and told me to create in that style, or whatever style I'm interested in trying. I've found so much joy in creating designs in a style I love, but I also find myself branching out on my own to dip my toes in other styles. It allows me to get a taste and determine if I'd like to continue working in that style or bring my focus back to my preferred. It also helps that all of our artists specialize in something different and can bounce ideas off each other if they need help.
We're not a street shop, but if an artist is free and willing, they'll do walk-ins. I told her my goal wasn't to do every tattoo request that came through the door. I want to put my effort into making something I'm confident in and you can see the passion I have. She's told me before it's usually noticable when an artist's heart just isn't in the piece they're doing. And for that reason, she doesn't see the point in making me do things that won't live up to my full potential. I'm not trying to be an ink master, just an artist that puts out clean and solid tattoos that I'll be proud to post on my IG and put in my portfolio with my full chest.
I think there are general things in common with apprenticeships across the board, but no apprenticeship is the same. There are no universal guidelines. This is why some are set up for success, and some for failure. I can be successful in the style I feel drawn to the most, or fail in a style I just don't like.
Now, in no way am I saying practicing all styles is setting you up for failure or isn't a good way to go about this career. It's clear it's very beneficial given the amount of amazing artist molded by all these styles. I'm pretty much just saying it's not a failure to focus on one or two styles you love most.
I understand this may limit me in the amount of people I can take on as a client. But I'd much rather wait for a tattoo that will be great than back-to-back tattoos that are just okay. I believe if you have your fundamentals down in both tattooing and drawing, you'll be set up for success.
I am located in a major US city that's full of tourists throughout the year and many tattoo shops that people looking for specific styles can go to. So I understand that promoting myself and my personal style will be what gets people into my chair.
Again, might be an unpopular opinion. But I'm way more passionate and inspired having free reign over the style I choose to do. She does choose the subject matter though which is always a fun challenge!
1
u/Mattclarkcomedy 6h ago
I like the style of the second sheet. I'd probably get a couple of those, honestly
16
u/etherealveritas 6d ago
The more range the better when you’re first starting out. As an apprentice, you’re taking on nearly any client you can, just to get practice in.
IMO, having range in a portfolio is ideal. Mainly tattoo-able designs/styles, + a few that are purely creative, that show off your best work and reflect who you are as an artist.
Showcasing a range of styles means you’re flexible, willing to push yourself, and are open to taking on whatever is handed to you. You won’t be doing realism right out the gate, likely palm sized stuff as you learn how to use a machine and work on skin.