To school or not to school?

[BattleRoyal]

I have always wanted to be able to tattoo since the age of 21 and now at 47 I feel like I finally want to get into it.

I have considered attending the following tattoo school and am trying to get some feedback on if folks think that the 2 wks would be a waste of money or enough actual info can be learned in that time period to make the investment worth it. Note: I'm not saying that this school or any schooling wouldn't be valuable experience, education, etc.- but what I am wondering is - can enough be learned in 2 wks to make a $5,800 inventment worth it?

Thoughts?

[Essex Boy]

welcome
i think you could save yourself a lot of money and spend two weeks in here reading before you even think of spending $5800
everybodys got to learn and yes thats gonna cost money theres so much to cover and two weeks anit gonna do it
just my 2 cents worth

[tatt2u]

I would say no :!: Take time to read this forum all the way though theirs alot of good stuff in here and ask some :?: I'm sure the folks in here will help you out more than you know 8) oh! buy the way welcome aborad

[Hardskull]

2 weeks for $5800 ? thats extorsion in my opinion! I dont believe the info you could gain versus the dollar amount is worth it..spend a little time reading these pages of info available here..Alot of this info is priceless!!!

[Duger]

You'll find excellent People and info in this Forum. I can't tell yea about the Shcools nor have the funds to do so.
But have found spending some time and reading the past post has educated me eminencly. When first started I was a member of other fourms before this one and was pretty much bitch slapped for asking any type of questions.
Now I found a Home with great people willing to share, I soon will be able to pass on what I have learned as they have done for others as well as myself.

[thew750]

If your at the point in life where you can dedicate yourself to tattooing and are willing to spend money for the education you should consider an apprenticeship. To learn to tattoo takes years, not weeks. This forum is good for advice. I can tell you that reading information on a forum will not teach you what you REALLY need to learn to be a good tattooist.

I and a lot of other people on this forum are more than willing to share our knowledge, but we cant ceach you the things that are learned during an extinsive apprenticeship.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage ou, but only guide the serious in the right direction.

If your interested in learning about apprenticeship PM me and I'll give you some tips and explain the process.

If your willing to make a substancial monetary investment, why not invest your time instead to learn formally?

[Valdar]

I've spent time in school for various things and have learned a great deal from that time, however the real world learning that is needed in any field just isnt there when you go to school. I spent a year and a half in school for computer courses and found out in the end I was more qualified than the instructor. He had more book learning than I did but no real world experience, I wasnt impressed at that point. The thing is that school can give you some basics but it cant prepare you for what you really need, practical knowledge. I try to expand my knowledge in what ever way possible and this forum has been a great tool in doing that, but no amount of reading will show you how to put ink in some one. The one thing I will say about schooling though is that no one can take away any education you get.

[urmindsi]

No, dont spend you money on a 2 week school for tattooing, not a good investment , they may give some equipment, tips, and techniques, but when it comes to tattooing in general there is know way you can compress such a technically involved art/trade into a 2 week period! Read this forum over and over, get needlejacks tutorial DVDs, read spauldings a-z book, research every tattoo supplier company you can find via the internet, or gather up your artwork ,make a portfolio, and get yourself an apprenticeship. There is no quick way to learn to tattoo properly, I know this because Im self taught, I do know that forums are not the place to learn to tattoo, but this forum does help if u understand (mostly) everything that the other artist are asking and answering and thats only because Ive found myself in the same scenerios from time to time, so research, research, research, post, post, As far as i know, any question is a good question, if your gonna tattoo, welcome to the rest of your life, thats how consuming it can be.
Oh yeah , I saved a ton of money on my car insurance!

[Papa Gee]

If you have $5800.00 laying around go get yourself some nice equipment. Buy yourself a pack of fake skin and get busy.

[Rogue]

I took an apprenticeship and It was shit. Everything I learned about tattooing Ive learned from practice and error, a small amount I learned in my apprenticeship, about needle making and minour stuff like that I dont use,. I buy pre made needle heads to save time. But if your thinking about an apprenticeship make sure you check out the shop & artist before you sign on, theres a lot of crooks out there. anyhow, as Papa Gee said get a bunch of practice skins and DECENT gear and have at her, and read this forum..this forum is the best place on the net for help that ive found..well thats my 2 cents brother. Stay hard.

[BattleRoyal]

Sounds good. Ordered some practice skins and plan on gettin' busy...

[Curby]

Here in the state of Oregon, unless you have 4 years of tax returns and/or a license from another state, you HAVE to attend a Department of Education licensed school.

The program takes about 9-12 months depends on how quick you pick it up. It's not enough to go out and open your first shop or be the primary artist in a shop, but it's enough to get a grip on the basics. You should still go out and work in someone's shop for a couple of years.