Stuck in the airport during my 12 hour layover – I decided to check out pulse tattoo blog. http://pulsetattooblog.blogspot.com/ I try to check them out every few months – or whenever I am in the mood to see what new stuff is out there. Today I noticed this article or blog about Larry Ross. Which led me to this page: http://www.bodyblendstudio.com/ - all I can say is, “really wild”. It is hard to see from the images which are kinda’ sepia or old school-ish – but I can just imagine the complexity of these custom machines. I can’t wait to grab one or two from Larry. I am going to give him a call next week to see what he has in his supply. Not for use in actual tattooing – but I would love to have one of these machines put in an acrylic case on the wall in my home office.
It is one of those things, tattoo has evolved so much – but the actual gear has not been changed as much as you would think. I mean, for 2010 we should be tattooing with mind controlled lasers or something… you would think. I love my coil machines, and I definitely think my rotary machines have their place. I have never used a pneumatic machine, but I have heard good and bad about them. Other than the whole 1.5 coil setups and plastics; tattoo machines have really remained unchanged in general concept (obviously I am not considering the whole pneuma thing – don’t get me wrong that is a giant revolution.. I just don’t have firsthand experience).
Either way, be sure to check out Larry Ross, and if you know of a really unique machine builder – let me know so I can check em out, or give them some free publicity on here.
A good note for those of you who are tattoo apprentice level: The quality of your machine will NOT determine the quality of your tattoo (write that down, and stop trying to buy a $600 machine thinking you will be the next Niko – practice – practice – practice – watch your mentor – and then practice some more).
Showing posts with label tattoo machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tattoo machine. Show all posts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
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..)
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..)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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)
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)
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