Tattoo "School"

[WanderLustWolf]

I found a tattoo shop in Washington state where they have 3 week intensive apprenticeships. The class looks really well laid out, one leaves with most tools needed by the end, along with some experience.

Has anyone here been through this process?

How long would one suggest having an apprenticeship after such a class to qualify as experienced ?

[hydrophidian]

I apprenticed for 2 years, then did tats on my own for three and I learn something every time I pick up my machine. Any real apprenticeship I've heard of lasts between 6 months and 3 years!! 3 weeks sounds a little short, no matter how intensive it is. I'm sure it's a good program, probably very informative, but anyone interested in getting into tattooing should really spend at least 1 to 2 years behind a machine before calling themselves experienced. No disrespect intended, just my personal opinion. No "crash course" can replace a good apprenticeship. Experience counts for lots.
Rico

[WanderLustWolf]

No worries 8^) i didn't plan on making that the only training i did, just the first step in many. With the class i learn how to use the tools that i will be given at the end, and that makes me feel that this will be a secure first experience. i bought a cheap machine off of ebay and was working on pigs feet and orange peels... but i want some hands on time with someone that knows what they are doing, but wanted to try it before going ahead with a full length apprenticeship.

:D

[hydrophidian]

kick a$$ man, sounds like a pretty good plan. keep it up, it's alot more work than you probably think. Sounds like you've got a good head though. Good luck.
Rico

[WanderLustWolf]

:?: :?: :?: When was the first time you laid ink on someone other than yourself? did you work on yourself or was it some other medium first? (i chose pigs feet since that is what we used to learn how to do sutures on in medic school. I was told it was the closest to human skin we could get without having to cut on one another.) Who was the first person you tried on? Did you know them or did you say something to the effect of "hi i am new at this so your work is free". :?: :?:

[hydrophidian]

I had very trusting friends that liked my artwork and already had a ton of jailhouse tats so they didn't mind playing guineypig. tons of melons/orange peels,etc. too. Plus I pretty much went straight into an informal apprenticeship anyway so I was hanging around a shop, watching other guys get and give tats too. Before I started tattooing I sold flash for three years, before that I did comics and some freelance fantasy work to wotc/tsr, so I had a pretty good portfolio and gullible (I mean trusting) friends.
Rico

[XHAZE]

An apprentice is someone who is a learner of a trade bound to employer for a specified term.
Just because you spent 2 years taking crap in a shop or 3 weeks on an course no way gives you credit as a tattooer.
I don't mean to be negative. The videos, books and even the course are all good. Any technical advice that you can get, or buy, is great but don't get hung up on this "now I'm a professional certificate".
Invest your money in good equipment for yourself and don't give your savings to someone else. If you really want to learn, you will find there is a way other than working for nothing for whatever amount of time or even worse paying for the priviledge.
Buy 2 of Jacks machines and power and start from there.
Learn as much as you can about health and regulations, and people don't charge for that, before using them.
It's not that you can do it all yourself it's just be wary my friend of the "accreditation" you can get from these apprenticeships. In Australia my license falls under "skin penetration" which means I am licensed to do body piercings although I have never done one.
But (Montana?) if I pay $2000Aus I can become a professional piercer within 10 days.
Cool. Who's first........

[Essex Boy]

???

[lovefist]

fuck tattoo school! you can't learn shit in three weeks.they just want money.

[thew750]

Well it's got to be better than just jumping in and fucking someone up, but at least try to do a real apprenticeship. A lot of people say that none of the shops near them want anyone. WELL LOOK FURTHER AWAY< I MOVED 1200 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TO LEARN FOR 12 MONTHS ALL UNPAID>

[el tatuaje]

hey everyone
how much is your tattoing education worth? pehaps your lucky to get an apprenticeship and then perhaps you have to go alternative routes.
whatever the case may be, before you start, you must educate your self
till all avenues are exhusted. meaning, go to art classes, study art theory
color theory. study about the history of your intended craft which is tattooing, and all that it implies.there are thousands of teachers at your disposal and learn from them before you think your ready.
a lot of you may think that 100.00 dollars is alot for a book by guy aitchenson but what does that compare with your future in this field.
everyone rags on huck spaulding's book but perhaps they really didn't bother to take the time to study it, break it down,learn to understand between what he say's and what others say.
you must be analitical and methodical in your learning process,be exact in your decsions, you will become a business person , study that as well as health regulations and local laws.
i have studied art, fine art computer art, tattoo art over a span of 15 years
and still i strive to learn more. i know it's easy to start tattooing someone
but does that make you a good tattooer?
don't be in a rush and learn all that you can ,the rest will come naturally with practice.
that's my take on it.
el