3 answers
Lexi
Student
Avondale, Arizona
1
Question
Updated
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What can I do to improve my drawings?
I want to be a tattoo artist. Plus I think it's a good job to work in and I know a lot of people in my family who have tattoo shops. #tattoo-artist #tattoos #art #drawing
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3 answers
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Lexi:
I used to get this question all the time from my former students (though not specifically with a Tattoo artist career in mind). The fact is, there is no magic...drawing is a skill that can be improved. There is talent involved to be sure, some people have a knack for drawing, but for others, it is a matter of practice, practice, practice. I always found that my students who were the best at drawing, did a lot of drawing outside of class.
I suggest you keep a small sketchbook with you and just keep drawing and doodling whenever you have free time. From what I have seen of Tattoo artists, they seem to have a very linear style of drawing or tatting (is that the right word?), and although there is a certain abstraction and "style" for each artist, what they draw is usually based on reality. This is part of the beauty of their work....it is of a certain style but still recognizable.
So, doodle your own designs, but make sure you are also drawing from real life. If you like flowers, draw real flowers; if you like cats, draw from your observations of real cats; if you like drawing people, draw real people from catalogs or the internet. I found that the drawing books can be helpful, the "Draw 25 Animals (or whatever)" books were helpful in getting my students to understand the importance of looking at the big shapes before then going into the details. Sharpen your observation skills. I would use pencils and fine line markers, anything that will give you a good sharp line. You might enjoy scratchboard, as it is a totally linear art technique. Using a light box or tracing paper to go over and sharpen your drawings is also helpful.
You don't say where you are in school, but I hope you are taking art classes, as your teachers can also give you feedback on your drawing technique. I notice that shading and color seems also to play an important part in tattoos, so take some painting classes and traditional studio drawing classes. Be open-minded about what skills will help you in your future career. For example, you might think a sculpture class would be of no use, but remember, you'll be decorating a 3-D form in the future, so it could be helpful.
Finally since you seem to know some Tattoo artist already, ask them this question and see what they suggest. Remember, they all started out like you at one time, so they might have some good insights and tips.
Best wishes!
I used to get this question all the time from my former students (though not specifically with a Tattoo artist career in mind). The fact is, there is no magic...drawing is a skill that can be improved. There is talent involved to be sure, some people have a knack for drawing, but for others, it is a matter of practice, practice, practice. I always found that my students who were the best at drawing, did a lot of drawing outside of class.
I suggest you keep a small sketchbook with you and just keep drawing and doodling whenever you have free time. From what I have seen of Tattoo artists, they seem to have a very linear style of drawing or tatting (is that the right word?), and although there is a certain abstraction and "style" for each artist, what they draw is usually based on reality. This is part of the beauty of their work....it is of a certain style but still recognizable.
So, doodle your own designs, but make sure you are also drawing from real life. If you like flowers, draw real flowers; if you like cats, draw from your observations of real cats; if you like drawing people, draw real people from catalogs or the internet. I found that the drawing books can be helpful, the "Draw 25 Animals (or whatever)" books were helpful in getting my students to understand the importance of looking at the big shapes before then going into the details. Sharpen your observation skills. I would use pencils and fine line markers, anything that will give you a good sharp line. You might enjoy scratchboard, as it is a totally linear art technique. Using a light box or tracing paper to go over and sharpen your drawings is also helpful.
You don't say where you are in school, but I hope you are taking art classes, as your teachers can also give you feedback on your drawing technique. I notice that shading and color seems also to play an important part in tattoos, so take some painting classes and traditional studio drawing classes. Be open-minded about what skills will help you in your future career. For example, you might think a sculpture class would be of no use, but remember, you'll be decorating a 3-D form in the future, so it could be helpful.
Finally since you seem to know some Tattoo artist already, ask them this question and see what they suggest. Remember, they all started out like you at one time, so they might have some good insights and tips.
Best wishes!
Steven Trevathan
Founder & Co-CEO, Make&Model Inc.
7
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Hi Lexi!
I don't have any tattoos nor have I ever been a tattoo artist, but I have done quite a lot of drawing in my training to become a graphic designer and in my career as a software product designer. One of the things you might have already heard (and that you will continue to hear) is that you should simply keep drawing. The only guarantee of improvement in drawing comes by consistently doing it. Without consistent drawing, your explorations become more difficult to bring back and improve your core skillset. Judging from your question, I'd guess you're already consistently drawing! 👏🏽
From here, I think the best piece of advice I could give is that you'll want to supplement the drawing you're doing with experiments that feel especially difficult. The difficulty is of your choice and can come by - but not limited to - experimenting with subject matter (such as life drawings of animals, plants, people), a change in medium (such as oil, water colors, or cut paper), or constraining the amount of time you have to "complete" a drawing (such as 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 30 seconds, and so on). These challenges are less about creating a finished piece that you can be proud of and more about discovering something useful about how we see forms and the ways that you can create them.
When experimenting, you will create a lot of things you don't necessarily like, and that's important. All of this work is part of discovering what you think works, what doesn't, and bringing all of it together in the drawing work you can feel proud putting your name on.
I hope you'll find this helpful, and best of luck!
Steve
I don't have any tattoos nor have I ever been a tattoo artist, but I have done quite a lot of drawing in my training to become a graphic designer and in my career as a software product designer. One of the things you might have already heard (and that you will continue to hear) is that you should simply keep drawing. The only guarantee of improvement in drawing comes by consistently doing it. Without consistent drawing, your explorations become more difficult to bring back and improve your core skillset. Judging from your question, I'd guess you're already consistently drawing! 👏🏽
From here, I think the best piece of advice I could give is that you'll want to supplement the drawing you're doing with experiments that feel especially difficult. The difficulty is of your choice and can come by - but not limited to - experimenting with subject matter (such as life drawings of animals, plants, people), a change in medium (such as oil, water colors, or cut paper), or constraining the amount of time you have to "complete" a drawing (such as 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 30 seconds, and so on). These challenges are less about creating a finished piece that you can be proud of and more about discovering something useful about how we see forms and the ways that you can create them.
When experimenting, you will create a lot of things you don't necessarily like, and that's important. All of this work is part of discovering what you think works, what doesn't, and bringing all of it together in the drawing work you can feel proud putting your name on.
I hope you'll find this helpful, and best of luck!
Steve
Misty Miller
ISM Rep @ AT&T DirecTV
121
Answers
Huntsville, Alabama
Updated
Misty’s Answer
My advice would be first and foremost to use sketch pads and find your medium whether it be chalk or pencil or ink. Then once you figure that out, I would find pictures that you like and try to recreate them. Not only will this help you with your drawing, it will help you with your shadowing on the images as well.