Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo Review

Been busy this week - but I do have some blogs to post on here, just not possible form my current location (an internet cafe in Afghanistan)

But I did receive this email yesterday..thought I would share it.

REVIEW:


apprentice tattoo basics :basic fundamentals of modern tattoo

too the point no code words no noses in the air just the facts.
every thing from dealers and artist preferred products to milestones every artist should expect to come to in his or her career.
from proper bandaging techniques too stencil application.
the machine, skin, safety, mind set, tips and tricks and goals are covered.
the online access to his forums and videos is just the icing to the cake its direct access to the author and other like minds so even if your question is not covered you can feel free to ask it ,remember there's no stupid questions.

reading this book has been one of my milestones

Tattoo Rob von Deezal

Lightest Tattoo Machine EVER!

I saw an article on the internet the other day that talked about a new tattoo machine on the market, that was supposed to be the lightest coil tattoo machine ever made.

I have to say that I am not sure this is true because this specific tattoo machine (not going to drop dimes here) has the bulk of its parts made of Aluminum. Aluminum is a very light metal, and is a very nice concept for tattoo frame design for those who use disposable tubes and hate having a massive iron throwing off balance...but I have seen a plastic tattoo machine as well. This plastic frame is pretty light...and I think that it is probably the lightest frame ever made.

Either way, once you add in the coils and A-Bar - you get a medium weight machine anyway. We are only talking about a few grams difference.

If you have used this so-called (lightest machine ever) or this (plastic-framed) style machines please leave a comment on this blog. I would love to hear feedback.

I plan to start a "consumer reports" style flavor to the blog, where once a month or so I will showcase something new. It might be new on the market, or just new to me. I will test it out for a bit and give you all the good the bad and the ugly.

This means I get new stuff, and you get all the details and honest opinions about the gear(you hear that tattoo suppliers this means send me free stuff!).

I have tried out a bunch of new things from Eikon last year (maybe not new on the market, but definitely new for me) and I am anxious to write my reviews. I have a compare contrast between the Eikon and the Pulse power supplies already written and ready to go. Just want to contact the manufacturers with the review and let them know I am going to publish it, allow them time to offer some sort of rebuttal or explanation. Possible they will say "Charles, you don’t even know how to use a power supply properly!" so if that is the case then I will have to just be humble. I do know that I have done a lot of business with Eikon and Pulse and I love them both very much.

Oh yeah, I've also got a couple of those new fangled Tat-Soul chairs last year, so look for those review as well. Some other reviews I am going to have to write: Kingpin disposable tubes, Spearman Needles, Eternal Pigments, Silverback Pigement, Intenz Zuperblack...

I could go on and on. So why am I teasing you about these things if I haven't written the reviews yet? I am actually just brain storming...I am not shure what the protocol for a Blog is actualy. I intend to keep mine pretty relaxed though. That is really my philosophy for tattoo as well. I try to keep the work environment in the studio relaxed and chill - but professional and educated. There is a very complex balance and if you are fortunate to learn it from the individual you are apprenticing under then you will master one of the easiest ways to increase foot traffic to your studio. You just have to remember that it is possible to have fun and still be professional. If you are an expert in yoru field (no matter what the field) then you still have to have some type of professionalism.

You might be saying, "thats not why I became a tattoo artist, I am more of the I dont give a @!$% kinda' personality"

Well, that is fine for a certain level of tattoo - and it also changes with age and industry maturity, and it is not always the case for every tattoo artist. You will find that there are some tattoo artists who are happy working in a rundown "ghetto" tattoo studio, with lower paying clientele. This is fine too. If you are happy then I am happy.

Just be very observant as a tattoo apprentice and make notes of things that work and don’t work. I don't think I have ever met a tattoo artist who has said, "I never want to own my own studio."
It is my opinion that you should treat every studio that you work in like you own it. Try to improve it, and try to make every client know that you are proud to be a part of the industry and proud to be part of the "tattoo family" you work with.

So, after going off on multiple tangents - I think that will wrap up this entry of the blog...good night internets.

Tattoo Salon

Mainstream tattoo trends, or just short lived fads?
Seems like every time I look online I see another hair salon that is trying to get a tattoo artist to have a "booth". This is kinda' scary because you might have some scratcher off the street representing himself as a professional established artist. All the Salon owner is seeing is the potential for dollar signs.

The overall concept of Studio/Salon integration is not all evil though, in my opinion. It is just difficult for a Salon owner (who probably has a cosmetology license) to understand that people are not just getting a temporary or henna tattoo...these ones are forever. If a tattoo artist messed up a client in your hair salon then you are then known as the horrible tattoo salon in town. Likewise if you have a tattoo artist who has never worked in a professional tattoo studio, then decides to migrate his kitchen tattoo outfit into your upscale hair salon - you might get a bad reputation as well.

There are a lot of similarities between tattoo and hair, as far as the business model goes. From a business aspect of diversification it makes sense. There have been a few who have been able to pull it off. Local laws might actually prohibit such a merger or hair salon and tattoo studio, same goes for the State Board of Cosmetology. There are certain chemicals that can't be around open skin - and that might have to be looked into as well from the tattoo artist aspect. Before you (the salon owner/manager) jump into the concept of full on Tattoo Salon, make sure you do your research, and make sure you know the artist is a professional with at least some years under his belt.

Don't be afraid to ask how long he has been tattooing and who he apprenticed under. Ask to see some of the work he has done, and not just photos - you want to see HEALED tattoos in person.

From the other end of the spectrum, as the tattoo artist looking to join a budding or established hair salon. Do you really want to be known as that tattooer who works at a hair salon? Or are we far enough evolved as tattoo community that it really makes no difference, and is a logical business move?

Check out the salon, and the rep. See if you are the first tattoo artist they are trying out - or if there has been high turnover (find out why). Talk to the stylists about the atmosphere (when the owner/manager is not around) - get the skinny on the whole situation before you quit your station at your current tattoo studio.

If you are an apprentice, and you think this is simple - I should just go open my own studio...but you don’t have the capital to start it up..so renting a booth seems like logical move. Beware: if you end your apprenticeship early you will really hinder your skill set and you ability to grow. You might even burn bridges (not a good thing if you plan to work in the same city or town).

I really don't have an opinion on the whole Tattoo + Salon = Love scenario...just thought I would share a few points of view and thoughts. If you work in a tattoo studio and are thinking of working in a Salon, or if you are a tattoo artist already in a salon, or you work in a salon and want to add tattoo to your line of services offered, or you just like tattoos and salons in general: Please drop a comment on this blog, I would love to hear everyone’s opinions or screaming hatred on this topic!

Tattoo Machines Cost Big Bucks - Or do They?

Is a tattoo machine that costs $49.00 in a catalog just as good as a $500.00 one that you can only purchase if you work in a real studio?

The short answer: Yes and No.
The long answer... where do I start?

Tattoo machines, or tattoo guns (depending on who you apprenticed under) are the devices that put the ink in the skin. A needle hooks up to them in some fashion and they are usually run by coils, magnets, and magic. The device is actually really simple and does not take a PHD in Electro-Magnetic Physics or Engineering to grasp the concept.

So how can a cheap machine be like an expensive machine?
It is all about how you tune the machine.
A machine that is made of higher grade materials (especially the coils and the springs) will make it easier to tune. If you paint then you understand the difference between cheap and higher grade oils. If you drive a car then you know the difference between a Honda Civic and a Jaguar XK. Both of those cars will get from point A to point B, by the way. It is the same concept with tattoo machines. My first tattoo machines were cheap ones from Superior, and I didn't know about upper class machines like Pulse or Eikon or Hand mades (custom irons). Once I got decent

with my Superior machines, I graduated to a set of Micky Sharpz and Dany Fowler Time Machines. I really can not say a bad thing about any of the machines I have used.

Now that I am comfortable with my gear I rely on my Superior machines more than any other machines. I have replaced the coils and the springs, but the frame is still superior. I love the weight and the vise grip is tried and true old school style. When you apprentice under an artist in a tattoo studio, check out all the different machines used by all the different artists in the studio. You will notice that there is a big difference not only in quality, but the weight and balance as well. You will also see that the power supply makes a world of difference.
What power supply is the best? There is no "Best" power supply or Machine. You have to use what YOU like and what YOU can get the job done with. Check out the Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo - there is a whole chapter in there where I go over all my gear and why I use the stuff I use.

You will always shave new machines coming out, and you can see on the top artist's forums or the big conventions like Hell City. This is a professional trade it requires that you stay on top of the new technology (yes I said technology) that is constantly being introduced into the market.

You don't have to do a proper tattoo apprenticeship, but you will spend years researching and trying to figure out what makes a Cheap Priced tattoo Machine top notch.
A lot of these things come from experience, and I can honestly say that a majority of PROFESSIONAL tattoo artists do not know their machines they way they should.
You have a select class of tattoo artists who will consider themselves tattoo machine builders. The have the "Secrets" to the coil wraps and the harmonic balance of the metals and the geometry... but It is the author's opinion that every tattoo artist should be able to differentiate between a good tattoo machine and a poorly crafted one (as it applies to their specific style of tattoo).

So get out there and start researching and talking to your fellow apprentice's (is that the plural for apprentice? probably not..)

How do I become a tattoo artist?

Reality TV shows, Tattooed musicians, Tattoo Flash Design website, Online Tattoo Supply superstores… Tattoo has been everywhere for the past 5 years or so. Is the industry finally calming down from this cyclical bump? You get the groups of tattoo artists who will tell you, “I hope so – we have too many scratcher wanna’be tattoo artists already.”

You get the groups of tattoo artists (less often) who will tell you that the business is one of those types that will go up in a down economy. Its hard to talk about anything these days without hearing about the big “E” word. Yup, economy is embedded in our 2010 vocabulary now.

You see a ton of tattoo artists out there trying to get their books and DVDs out as well. I know that there are a lot of young people (young in tattoo years) who want to get involved in tattooing. What does it take to get into the tattoo scene? Is there really money in the tattoo industry? Do you really need artistic talent to be a tattoo artist? Do you really need to do a proper apprenticeship? Is a tattoo machine that costs $49.00 in a catalog just as good as a $500.00 one that you can only purchase if you work in a real studio? These are all good questions that the new tattoo artist really wants to know about, and if you are anything like I was 10 years ago then you are scouring for information about tattoo everywhere (and that includes the internet).

What does it take to get into the tattoo “scene”? – It takes a lot of patience and observation. You have to check out a lot of studios, perfect your drawing and painting skills, get a ton of tattoos on your own body, and talk to artists. You have to really be dedicated and also be smart. You can easily be taken advantage of as a young apprentice by someone who might not even intend to teach you anything about tattoo.

Is there money to be made as a tattoo artist? – Kinda sorta not really… Sure there are tattoo artists who charge a ton of money, but they are really saught after professionals who have made a name for themselves. What a lot of young artists don’t realize right off the jump is that you really make your money doing the small stuff. Small stuff being the tribals, scripts, hearts, flowers, flash, flash, flash, and until you are sick of it… flash. It sucks, but if you are all about the money aspect of tattoo then get used to doing what I call “yard work”. Those of us who love the craft and trade of tattoo will gladly do a sleeve for someone for next to nothing (so long as our own bills are already in the green). It depends on the piece though. Art is art, and if you are an artist then you will love the art you do. Beware getting into tattoo thinking you are going to do awesome tattoos that are multi session and cost big bucks right off the jump. (don’t forget you have to give the studio owner his cut of the $ as well).

What about talent? – Yes and No.. I know a lot of tattoo artists who are not very good artists, but they make a living. They don’t get to do the fun stuff, but I think those guys are the ones who don’t really care about the trade that much to begin with anyway. If you think you are good at one medium (ie painting or pencil) then you will really test yourself ot learn the tricks of tattooing. It take a lot of time and practice. It is not like paper where you can just rip it up and start over either. You need to have well planned pieces and execute them in a timely manner and keep it clean. The more artistic ability you have the better off you will be. Art is subjective though, so what one guy thinks is good – another might think is not.

I will hit on the machines, apprenticeship, and other stuff in a later blog. I do go into a lo tof this stuff in my book Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo, in a no B.S. way that will help you get the un-sugar coated truth about what it takes and how you should go about becoming a tattoo professional. (Not just another tattooer who traces flash all day)

C.R. Jordan's First Blog

So, Yolanda has pressured me into doing this... I am going to dedicate 10 minutes a day and jot down my thoughts related to tattoo. I am stuck in the middle east for the next 8 months or so, and I can't really tattoo. I am working on the new book tentatively titled "Advanced Tattoo Apprenticeship Techniques" the follow up to the Tattoo Beginner guide: "Basic Fundamentals of Modern Tattoo: Apprentice Tattoo Basics" which seems to be picking up. We will see how long this blog will last, but I would like to share a lot of my plans for the Teach Me To Tattoo website and video tutorial database for its members. We have not forgotten about it - Just got side tracked with the economy the way it is and I had to go back to working my day job (which happens to be fighting crime in the Middle East). More to follow...