Hi, I'm Zeke

[zeke]

Hey, I'm Zeke I live in Serbia and I'm still in high school(12th grade). I been drawing since I was a kid and now I do a lot of digital art and sometimes animations. Sometimes, people told me that I should draw tattoos(probably because I draw a lot of tattooed people haha), I didn't think much of it because I always get compliments but I never fully accept them so it wont go to my head(still feels nice that people like my stuff but still), so I had been thinking about it quite often, I don't fully imagine myself doing tattoos for a living but it's surely one of the options that I'd love to take(alongside other options like making cartoons or drawing comics or something) orr I'd just tattoo for fun. I wanted to get a tattoo for myself and once I found out about the price of em I was a lil mixed(I bought lots of stuff for my summer days pay and I had to buy some extra stuff so I was low on funds) so I decided to get a tattoo machine instead. I found out more about it and didn't want to get infected or anything so I decided to look into it, as I STILL didn't find some information about tattooing on the web or maybe I didn't know how to look for it(can I wash and sterilize the tip and tattoo myself without infection after I used it on some piggy skin)I got myself here, sooo hi all!

[omeletta]

Seriously, you found getting a tattoo too expensive and therefore bought a tattoo machine instead???

This will probably the nicest reply you'll get on this forum: Good Luck!

[Michaelshane]

I think you should just go for it.Start with a nice tribal design on your forehead.Freehand.

[The Tig]

I'd put away the tattoo machine for now and not touch it until you are safely under the direct supervision of a professional and very experienced mentor. I believe the word for the day is "Apprenticeship".

[zeke]

the tattoo artist that I contacted was also a dick and yeah, I can draw so it won't be shit to do something on my skin once I get the hang of it

also why is everyone so angry damn

[Dan]

[DJDeepFried]

Nobody's angry. I'm telling you out of kindness. There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. You wouldn't start pulling teeth without going to dental school, would you? Get an apprenticeship. Get good tattoos.

[zeke]

Alright gonna look into that later. I KNOW I SEEM LIKE A RETARD cus of the pig skin question etc just understand I don't know about all the tattoo stuff as most of you do so IM SORRY if I said something wrong or something and I appreaciate the support from some of yousss.

[Cork]

Yes you can and should tattoo yourself directly after tattooing pig skin. Don't worry about cleaning the needles. Little known fun fact, pig skin is one of the best anti-microbials around!

[zeke]

I just don't get how can germs be left on it if I didn't touch the skin with the tip at all

[SStu]

Once you have learned something about the tattoo community, you will realize that ANY intention of learning to tattoo without a proper apprenticeship will meet great resistance from all of us, and most of us are not tattooists.

[zeke]

I am not gonna do something nasty on another persons skin until I know I can do the same thing with a tattoo gun as I can with a pen or my tablet

[The Tig]

I just don't get how can germs be left on it if I didn't touch the skin with the tip at all

:D But seriously, tattoo needles and the process (machines, gloves, inks, etc.) of tattooing should be treated similarly as a surgical field. Not so much like an operating room in a hospital, but more like a minor procedure performed in a doctor's office. Infections and blood born pathogens are serious business.

I'm sure a trained professional tattoo artist could elaborate, but that is not what this forum is about so I wouldn't expect any further word on this.

[Graeme]

Last Sparrow Tattoo - Forum Rules

Do not start threads asking about specific tattooing equipment or techniques, LST is not here to teach anyone how to tattoo. Ask your own tattooer, the next time you are getting tattooed. Maybe they'll answer you, maybe they won't.

Do not start threads regarding closely guarded trade secrets - this will keep LST a much more welcoming place for everyone, tattooers and enthusiasts alike.

Do not start threads asking questions about "breaking into the business" of tattooing.

[JaySpike89]

If you're happy with working in digital and traditional art mediums, good for you buddy. If people like your stuff, then that's great - but there will always be room for improvement with every piece of art you do, and while tattooing is no different, it is a completely different ball-game. I suggest that you do your research on the industry, travel around to different studios and get tattooed by highly reputable artists (yeah, you will have to travel, but this is small price to pay for a beautiful piece of art that will be on your skin forever). Collect a few tattoos and talk to artists about your own artwork, ask for their criticism or advice - if they like your personality and work, they MIGHT just give you a shot...just be prepared to work for it (and I mean SERIOUSLY work for it). Be yourself, be humble and remain open-minded and ready to learn. BECOME AND REMAIN TEACHABLE.

Tattooing is serious business - either go for it 100%, or leave it to the professionals. Just my two cents...

[zeke]

If you're happy with working in digital and traditional art mediums, good for you buddy. If people like your stuff, then that's great - but there will always be room for improvement with every piece of art you do, and while tattooing is no different, it is a completely different ball-game. I suggest that you do your research on the industry, travel around to different studios and get tattooed by highly reputable artists (yeah, you will have to travel, but this is small price to pay for a beautiful piece of art that will be on your skin forever). Collect a few tattoos and talk to artists about your own artwork, ask for their criticism or advice - if they like your personality and work, they MIGHT just give you a shot...just be prepared to work for it (and I mean SERIOUSLY work for it). Be yourself, be humble and remain open-minded and ready to learn. BECOME AND REMAIN TEACHABLE.

Tattooing is serious business - either go for it 100%, or leave it to the professionals. Just my two cents...

Well damn thanks for that I will see how it goes. Thank you all too.

[SeeSea]

Good luck on your art, @zeke, and @JaySpike89 has good advice. Learn learn learn! :D (And Get Good Tattoos!)

[JaySpike89]

Yeah, I have to agree with daveborjes here - bit of an novice drop there. Guns kill people, tattoo machines create art.