putting together a portfolio

[untitled_again]

what makes a good portfolio? how many pictures should i have at least? what else should i do to make it look good?

[el tatuaje]

hey UA
if your going to put a portfolio together then you should only put your best work.
you should show all aspects of tattooing artwork, i.e.,
oldschool,nuskool,B&G, floral,japanese,tribal,etc.
but only the best of your work, a shop would only want to see your best.
make it look professional, it will say, that you took the time to show what you got, and don't leave empty clear sheets in your portfolio, that shows
incompleteness and is viewed as not finishing the job, even one as simple as putting a portfolio together.
you don't need a hundred pages either, i shop owner will either like your work or not.
be sure to start of with a history sheet about where you've worked and under who, that helps the owner know that you were proud of where you were and what kind of work your into.
simple but complete.
i hope this helps, good luck job hunting.
el

[cracker]

So do you guys think there are any shop owners willing to bring a self taught artists into there studio to work, if your work is really good, or will most turn ya away for not taking the traditional approach to tattooing, It's kinda a broad question, but i would like to hear what people think.

My familly situation keeps me from following a traditional apprenticship.

cracker

[Hardskull]

one of the guys who inked me at a shop told me he got hired on by the owner after the owner had seen his work on people coming in the door..He told me he was self taught. It may be rare but I can say it has and does happen

[untitled_again]

i worked at a shop before, but i didnt tattoo, just watched, and cleaned, and got food, and stuff like that. basically i was the 'shop bitch'. i learned how to tattoo on my own at home on friends. would it be easy for me to get a job in a tattoo shop as long as i have a good portfolio?

[MontanaPiercer]

I am self taught for everything but tattooing, and I was messing around with it before starting my actual apprenticeship. My boss is completely self taught, and has been tattooing professionally for 27 years. We have had two outstanding guest artist in the shop in the last couple of years, who were both entirely self taught. Having done an apprenticeship isn't the only way to get into a shop but it is usually the easiest. Just like any other job, shop owners like to see a verifiable work history.

[XHAZE]

Include photos of any medium that you use creatively whether it be painting, sculpting,carving or whatever handcraft. Diversity will create interest

[kate]

I think the biggest thing you can do if you are self taught is to show you have broken the stereotype. (e.g. dirty, hep spreading bastards) Take classes. CPR and cross contamination classes are usually free (or very cheap) through the local county health dept.
Put your certificate in your portfolio. Don't go in with an attitude, and show some awesome work. If you have weak areas, be upfront. Most people like honesty better than ego.
I know quite a few artist who were self taught who work at reputable shops, though some were required to be retrained in cross contamination and given basic apprenticeships. All that were asked to do that, did. Better to swallow pride than spit up opportunity.
Good luck!
Kate

[urmindsi]

Hope no one takes offense to this, kate is right, you dont want to look like a professional jailhouse tattooist, just outa the joint... I HIV for the HEP kinda person....the normal stereotype given to everyone self taught, mostly from our counterparts (EGO PROS in the industry, mind u not from our forum anyway)..oh yeah and the health dept. When submitting your portfolio, dont bite off more then you can chew.