Tattooing is hard to learn - but it’s a learnable skill, not a built-in “talent.” The biggest challenges are mastering linework, finding your style (neo trad, realism, etc.) getting into your first studio, and finding a work/life balance that works for you.
Knowing what to expect from these things ahead of time can help you prepare as you dive deeper into becoming a tattoo artist.What Are the Hardest Parts About Learning to Tattoo?
1
Learning How to Draw for Tattooing
The Artist Accelerator by Tattooing 101 delivers exactly what it promises... real artistic growth. It bridges the gap between drawing and tattooing with clear guidance, practical exercises, and strong mentorship.
JWal
Creating artwork on a flat surface is very different from creating artwork for a curved surface like the human body.
Even if you have been drawing your whole life, learning how to draw tattoo designs while keeping the shape of the body in mind will be a huge stepping stone you need to cross before you start tattooing.Note:
Art school will not teach you how to draw tattoo art. The best way to learn to draw tattoos is to see what is working in the tattoo industry and model your own work after those styles (while implementing your own spin on it).
2
Mastering Line Work
Absolutely amazing program. Coaches and instructors that are not only knowledgeable but reachable to answer any questions and guide you where you need to be…classes for every need whether it be linework, packing color, or color theory. No limits.
Amy Potter, Artist Accelerator Student
Line work is the first thing you learn as a tattoo artist, but it can be one of the most difficult skills to master. Creating a line with a tattoo machine is completely different than using a pencil or marker.
As a professional tattoo artist, shaky linework will make it difficult to get hired at tattoo shops.
3
Figuring Out Your Style + Tattoo Equipment
Early in your career, you’ll be doing the same “Pinterest tattoos” again and again. Most artists will start to get burned out on these walk-in style designs and want to tattoo designs they like.
To get to that point in your career, you need to develop a style that gets people to choose you for your artwork. This is how you get clients who give you artistic freedom. It can take time to develop that style and to figure out what tattoo machine and materials best fit the type of work you want to do.Pro Tip:
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Find a tattoo style you already like (neo trad, Traditional, realism, etc.) and then add your own spin.
Warning:
You never want to just copy another artist’s work - whether you’re looking at famous tattoo artists or smaller artists around your area - stealing another person’s design can end your tattoo artist career before it starts. (Most shops won’t want to work with a tattoo artist who can’t create high quality tattoos with their own drawing skills and creativity.)
Is It Hard to Get a Job as a Tattoo Artist?
If you’re a new tattoo artist, it is hard to get that first job. Tattoo shops have limited spots for artists - and even more limited spots for apprentices. For veteran artists, it will be easier to get a job or even a guest spot.
Is It Hard to Get Into a Tattoo Shop as an Apprentice?
If you want to get a tattoo apprenticeship, you need to earn a place in a studio by showing a strong portfolio of tattoo designs.
Unless your lining and shading are 100% perfect, they do not want to see your work on fake skins. They will think you have developed bad habits learning on your own, and they won’t want to take the time to reteach you. Most mentors prefer to have an apprentice who is a “clean slate.”
So even if you have been practicing and you can tattoo pretty well, only include designs that you’ve done on paper in your portfolio. (This can include flash sheets, any realism drawings that you’ve done, etc.)
Note:
Different cities and states have different requirements to get a tattoo artist license. Not every state will require an apprenticeship to become a tattoo artist. Some places require tattoo school experience to apply for tattoo artist jobs.
Is It Hard to Get Into a Tattoo Shop as a New Tattoo Artist?
If you are a brand-new tattoo artist, getting into your first shop will be difficult. (After that it gets much easier.)
Having a strong portfolio of your tattoos is the best way to show that you’re worth bringing on as an artist. However, having other skills (like marketing) or having a large following that shows you’ll be bringing clients with you will also make it easier for you to get hired.What’s the Hardest Part About Being a Tattoo Apprentice?
You Don’t Have Time Outside of the Tattoo Apprenticeship
If you’re going through a tattoo apprenticeship, it can be very difficult to have a “normal” life. You do not get paid for the years you are an apprentice, and you usually have to work a second job to keep up with bills and personal expenses.
It’s easier to maintain this lifestyle in your early 20s. A day in the life of a tattoo apprentice usually means going to work 8-10 hours/day at the tattoo studio before working a night job and driving home for only a few hours of sleep. This can be very hard on your body.
You Do Not Make Much Money
Because most apprentices can’t work full-time at the shop and handle a second job full-time, they have to keep their expenses very minimal.
This is why many shops won’t consider giving an apprenticeship to someone older than their early twenties. Most adults can’t take a break from making a full-time income and have to quit halfway through.
The shop considers this a waste of time and resources poured into someone who has to then walk away.
The Work Environment Can Be Hard to Navigate
Many tattoo shops mistreat their apprentices. This can be simple, like requiring the apprentice to clean the studio and go on coffee runs for the other artists. However, it can also extend to an abusive situation where apprentices are being humiliated, harassed, or physically hurt to show that they are “dedicated” to the craft.
That said, there’s no HR in tattooing, and the shop will often take the side of the artist, not the apprentice.
Hard work is expected in an apprenticeship. Being abused should not be tolerated, no matter what role you play in the shop.
What’s the Hardest Part About Being a Tattoo Artist?
Finding a work/life balance, learning how to work with clients, and dealing with the tattoo “slow season” are the hardest parts of being a professional tattoo artist.
Many Tattoo Artists Struggle with Work/Life Balance
Even after the apprenticeship phase, finding a good work/life balance can still be difficult. A huge part of that is understanding how to handle the “admin” part of the job. If you’re tattooing the whole day and still need to answer DMs, prep designs for the next day, handle expenses and taxes, post on social media to promote yourself, and more…it becomes very easy for a normal 8-hour workday to turn into a 12-hour one.
This is to be expected for new artists. You do have to “grind” for a while as you build up clientele and your art style. However, as you develop your unique style and can charge more for your work, it’s worth investing in apps, a tax consultant, and a virtual assistant to give you time to work on your art and have more time on your hands.Client Interactions
As a tattoo artist, a huge part of your job is working with clients to help bring their vision to life. However, a lot of new tattoo artists don’t realize that means offering high-quality customer service while you’re working. (A good tattooer with horrible bedside manner will have a hard time getting clients to come back again and again.)
The Tattoo Industry Has a “Slow Season”
Tattooing has a natural “slow season” in the winter. Most people who would come in and get tattoos are now paying for holiday presents, visiting family, etc. - which means things at the shop are slow. This is why it’s so important to save money when you have a steady stream of clients coming through.
Slow season is a good time to do things like renew your blood borne pathogens certification, continue to work on your art style, figure out how much money you’re spending on tattoo equipment and taxes to update your own records, and more.
What are the BEST Parts of Being a Tattoo Artist?
Every job requires hard work and has its downsides. But a job that lets you create lifelong pieces of art is still the best job we can imagine.
Making a Living From Your Art
Very few jobs allow people to express themselves creatively. But tattooing means you get to draw on people for a living and grow as an artist every single day.
A Second Family
Tattooing is a small community, and you’ll get to know other artists well. The people you work with in the shop will become your family and push you to be the best version of yourself.
Control Over Your Life
While it can be difficult in the beginning to find that work/life balance, you still have control. Tattoo artists don’t have traditional managers to report to, limited vacation time, or set working hours. You get to control what you do, and when. If time freedom is important to you, tattooing is an ideal career.
FAQs
How long does it take to get good at tattooing?
You can start doing decent tattoos within a few weeks with daily practice. However, it really depends on how often you can get quality practice. Artists who are tattooing one fake skin a week will progress much slower than artists who are doing multiple practice tattoos every day.
Can you teach yourself to tattoo?
You can learn to tattoo from free online resources. However, it often takes much longer than a structured program because you’re having to “piece together” information instead of moving forward one step at a time. This can cause new artists to develop bad habits that don’t get corrected because there’s no one giving them feedback.
Is tattooing harder than drawing?
Tattooing is harder than drawing. When you’re tattooing, you’re working on a soft, curved surface with a vibrating machine. Building up your drawing skills and having that muscle memory will make working with the added obstacles of tattooing easier.
Do you need to be good at art to tattoo?
You don’t need to be a master in every art form to learn tattooing. However, building up your drawing skills will translate over to tattooing.
Become a Professional Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program
Having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it’s also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. However, for decades, the process to become a tattoo artist has been notoriously difficult.
The apprenticeship process requires aspiring tattoo artists to work 50-60 hours a week without pay for 2-4 years. That, combined with the toxic culture of abusing apprentices, makes getting into the industry almost impossible for newcomers.
That’s why we created the Artist Accelerator Program. Our online course provides a simple, structured way of learning to tattoo that has been proven to work by over 8000 successful students, with many of them having gone on to open their own shops all around the world.
Inside the program, we’ll take you through every step of the tattooing process in 9 clear, easy-to-follow modules and support you along the way within the Tattooing 101 Mastermind online community.
In the Mastermind group, you’ll collaborate with other students, get answers to your questions, and receive personalized video feedback on your artwork and tattoos from professional tattoo artists. With this friendly community of both new and experienced tattoo artists, you’ll never be stuck again.
When you join the Artist Accelerator Program, you’ll have instant access to the full course and the Mastermind community, as well as our 30-Day Flash Challenge and recorded interviews with tattoo artists from all over the world.
Click here to learn more about the Artist Accelerator Program.
I found a community that encourages each other to keep going through the lowest of lows. I feel like I can ACTUALLY move forward in the tattoo industry with the help of the instructors and support!
Cheyenne Elizabeth-Jeanne Dupert
