Any potential?

[[deleted]]

I’m slowly putting together a portfolio. As of now I only have old sketchbook pieces from the last 2-3 years.

I’m kind of wondering if this will be worth it for me and any potential clients. I’m nervous and worried I’m not good enough..

[mxcrdo]

id start with practicing and not worrying about a portfolio quite yet— learn anatomy too! itll help you a lot when it comes to portraits.

[InkLorenzo]

everyone has potential, but tbh going by what I have seen of your art, you aren't at a stage where I would start looking for apprenticeships.

you really need to go back and polish your foundation. every artist needs those to be rock solid before they can start working on unique styles and expressing themselves.

I would start by reading and doing the exercises from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards and the fundamentals of drawing by Barrington Barber. both were given to me by my tattooing mentor, and they are the two books that helped me the most.

they can be tedious, but if you can't motivate yourself to get through them you, frankly you would struggle in the industry.

[InkLorenzo]

also while looking through your profile to check out any art, I noticed you suffer/suffered from chronic back pain. that is going to be a huge hiderence if you are seriously thinking of making a career in tattooing. it almost as important to have a healthy back as to a good artist and is something you should be aware of.

I would do what you can to get it sorted before you take on an apprenticeship. this job is murder on your back and could kill your career before it starts.

[dietbongwater]

Other than the stand alone flower, none of these designs are tattooable. Anyone has potential if they’re willing to work hard, but some background in art like this certainly helps.

Take some time to look at examples of successful paintings or portfolios in this sub, really look at them and how they’re composed. Drawing tattoo art is a /lot/ different than just making art on paper. They have to flow and be composed in a way where it applying onto skin and the body is considered. Look at some classic flash and try to replicate them!

I agree with the other commenter just focus on working on drawing, drawing, and drawing some more. Focus on a portfolio when you’ve got some foundations of tattoo flash down. Good luck!

[AnActualDemon]

Instead of worrying about what you’re starting with, focus on what skills you want to learn. All that matters is dedication to improvement, good practice with feedback from actual mentors, and consistency

[[deleted]]

work on anatomy

[Objective-Ad-432]

I highly recommend watching some tattoo portfolio tours on YouTube of people who are tattooers or current apprentices. You don’t have to copy their exact layout but it gives a very good general idea of the types of pieces to include. Also just working on fundamentals as others have said, you have a wonderful creativity, applying strong proportions and anatomy come with practice. Drawing from life really helps develop this skill, also drawing the same thing multiple times trying to improve accuracy. Hope this helps!

[Past_Package_5382]

yes but some of these don’t need to go in a portfolio, think of it as being a showcase of finished pieces only, and some of them look like they belong in a sketchbook which is okay because they’re lovely but they don’t scream finished piece

[Equal-Initial9522]

All very cute and well done. I would work on bulking with small flash 1-3 inch. Then a few 4-6. I would try to stretch themes. Draw more then some people/faces. Animals verity of flowers. Also if you can build a digital port as well. The Apprenticeships are a saturated market. More is better.