Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
Well, i have decided to go ahead and get my tat done. I have 2 friends who own a tat shop here and I always said I would go to them when I was ready...but I seen a tat on a girl at work that was gorgeous and she gave me her artists website. I really liked his work! What I want is pretty simple, But i still am picky since this is going to be on my body for the rest of my life(well, unless i get it lasered off one day)
So, what exactly should i be looking for in a tat artist? Im not getting a design done, just words..I just dont want to pick the wrong guy! there is so many of them to choose from!
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
look at their portfolios, check out their sterilization room, and look into their tattoo room. does it look clean and neat or is their ink everywhere?
dont go by price, and dont feel guilty for not going to a certain person. this will be on you forever!
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
Ditto on what i.breathe.in said. Look for someone that you're comfortable with, someone that you want to spend the time with.
When I went for my first piercing, I went to the "best guy in town" after talking to him for 5 minutes, I didn't want him to get anywhere near me with a needle, he was a complete asshole.
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
The best I can tell you , is to look at some of their drill work they have done on people ( the older the better ) some artist don't have a very fine line and it will run in just a few years but the true artist's will have a very fine line and will last almost forever. A clean shop is also a BIG +1 !
I live in a small town with one tat guy , clean shop but his work sucks . I have watched his outlines run in just one year and they look like crap forever !!!
Go to a book store near you and pic up a couple of tat rags to read and check out the cool work .
Please choose your tat guy or girl wisely !
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
my advice is don't go to a friend... if you can get someone else to do a better job.
i did this, and i have a skull on my wrist i hate! (i'm currently getting removal treatments done, although i may just have to get a large cover up)
go to someone who will do beautiful work! also, i found that super cocky artists do shit work. seriously.
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
definitely go with someone who doesn't make you feel stupid or act like a dick--chances are you're gonna be sitting with him for a long time and it'd be uncomfortable sitting there for potentially hours in awkward silence. on the other hand, don't go with a friend just because they're cheap/they're your friend. unless you happen to freaking love the work they do. then go for it. :D
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
Check out artists portfolios. See if they have done work similar to what you want. Each artist has their strong point. Some may be better at works, some are petter at say Chinese lettering... some are better at pictures etc...
Also make sure you are comfortable with your artist.
How clean is their studio? Make sure they show you their set up and that everything is sterile and clean.
Don't go by price. Remember you usually get what you pay for.
Also when they show you what they're doing and the placement and stuff don't be afraid to ask them to move it or make it smaller or bigger or whatever. They will do a press on or draw it on you before they tattoo it to make sure you like it.
Make sure you are happy with the size and placement because honestly the one on my ankle I seriously regret as its too big even though I thought it was perfect at first. Also I hate how the colour all blends and you can't tell its actually a butterfly on a cherry blossom :( I need to get some re-do work on it now *sigh*
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
Some states require a license for tattoo artist. Virginia recently started doing this. If the state your in does make sure that your artist is licensed.
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
^How do you find out if your state is one of them?
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
I'd start with finding people who have tattoos in the style that I like, said tattoos having survived several years, and then ask them about their artists.
Failing that, I'd start with people who have what I consider good tattoos, not necessarily in the style that I like, and ask them about their artists. Excellent artists who don't do that type of work will likely give references to other good ones. Then I'd check them out. Not just their portfolios, but their real-life work.
That might mean hanging around the studio looking for people they've tattooed before who are in for repeat visits. If you can't find any, that probably says something. Likewise, if the artist gets annoyed at your doing that, that probably means something too. I'd also Google the artist and check reviews on BMEzine.com.
Oh, and while this sound silly, keep in mind that most ppl don't do work on themselves, so having great tats doesn't mean that one is a good artist!
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TigersMilk
^How do you find out if your state is one of them?
That's a good question, I'll check with the old man when he gets home form the shop. I know Virginia does since he had to gt one, they're licensed in the same category as beauticans and nail techs. I know there are places he's travled to where he's had to get a license.
I'll post again as soon as I know!
Re: Tattoo Artists, What to look for?
I went to a shop here in daytona and some of the guys working there were drinking...next!!! I have a feeling this is gonna take me forever to find a guy! But it will be worth it, hopefully.