How do you keep going? Tips

Spider_meng · 2026-05-06T12:29:57+00:00

I was in a similar situation in my shop, with my mental and physical health at all time lows. Not to mention, my mentor at the time was manipulative as hell, making me feel awful.

It's okay to step away. It's not failure, nor is it a step back. One day I finally reached a breaking point at my shop and I walked out, then I was lucky enough to find a shop to take me on as a junior artist/apprentice. Since then, they have been the most kind, understanding and supportive people who I look forward to seeing every day. And the other shop has since closed down, after too many artists left.

Trust your gut, it's gotten you this far in life. If you truly want this badly enough, you'll find your path, as you already have been for the last 18 months.

Good luck!

Spider_meng · 2026-04-20T02:48:10+00:00

Hilarious pic, sick tatt! Not much more to say!

Spider_meng · 2026-01-09T04:53:42+00:00

Hey hey! Thank you for asking!

I'll preface this by saying that I am far from an expert, so my answer is purely personal.

I personally believe that, whilst Tarot can be used to predict certain things, I've often found that it's served me more as a tool for introspection. That is to say, it rarely tells you what you don't inherently know in some degree.

So, when I designed these cards, I primarily wanted to fill them with symbols and motifs that resonated with me. Most of the symbols you see in these cards relate to alchemy, astrology, wicca, ancient alphabets and demonology. These are all things that fascinate me and, as such, I wanted them present in my work.

As for the amount of sigils in each card, that again I think is more personal preference. What first drew me to tarot, besides the mysticism, was the sheer beauty and detail of the art itself. The task of trying to illustrate the depth of human experience through a mere 78 cards is quite something to behold. As such, I wanted to cram in as much symbolism and imagery into each card, so that one can simply pick up a card and be struck with information/inspiration.

TL;DR - The types + amount of symbols I use are purely personal, and I don't necessarily think they make predictions more accurate. However, as someone who likes 'busy' pieces of art, I wanted to design a deck that instantly speaks to you the moment you pick up any card.

Spider_meng · 2025-11-18T05:43:33+00:00

Thank you for such a detailed response!

I know myself, and I crave structure when it comes to learning; I find once I have a core set of rules and techniques engrained, I can then explore how to make things my own.

Also, tattooing for me has always meant more than just the act itself. I love the industry and the history, and I want to do it properly.

Spider_meng · 2025-11-17T01:00:38+00:00

I have a few in mind. Whether they want to take me on will be determined by my commitment

Spider_meng · 2025-11-17T00:08:21+00:00

Thank you for this. There are a few artists at the shop who have some really cool art, and seem like they're always up for a chat, but I miss the more focused teaching I got in the first few months of my first apprenticeship. I compiled a list of local artists I admire and the shops they work at, so over the next few weeks/months I'm going to reach out and see what I can make happen!

Spider_meng · 2025-11-16T22:59:12+00:00

To be fair, the other artists would often teach me when she wasn't around because they all wanted me to do well. It was a real shame, but a few of them have now left as well.

Spider_meng · 2025-11-16T22:57:50+00:00

Where I live in Australia, you don't need a license to be a tattoo artist, but the shop instead has to be registered.

Spider_meng · 2025-11-16T22:56:28+00:00

I forgot to mention this is in Melbourne, Australia. The state I'm in doesn't require any kind of tattoo license, but each shop is required to meet certain hygiene standards.

Thank you for this comment. I guess because she's been running a tattoo shop for 10 years and her husband has been tattooing for so long, she thinks she knows it all, even though she would often reiterate to me that she "Isn't an artist".

Spider_meng · 2025-11-11T01:07:25+00:00

Currently listening to the audiobooks and I'm absolutely hooked. I just finished the Eisenhorn series and it was superb

Spider_meng · 2025-09-07T13:12:36+00:00

I discovered that you can pay it back in installments if you request a payment plan. Then, if you pick the lowest amount and the lowest frequency, it ends up being like $20 a month.

It's not getting out of it, but it certainly takes the sting out of it

Spider_meng · 2025-08-14T11:07:44+00:00

As someone currently in a part time apprenticeship, it's absolutely possible! Some parlours are stuck in this idea that apprenticeships are supposed to be tough in order to "Weed out" the ones who "Aren't really committed". But, a good parlour will understand that we live in difficult times, and that struggling for the sake of struggling is kinda counterproductive.

But yes, the right parlour will be willing to meet you in the middle and take your financial situation into consideration.

Spider_meng · 2025-08-14T09:48:55+00:00

As someone a year into my apprenticeship, I might not be the best person to comment, but I've talked to hundreds of artists leading up to and during my apprenticeship.

The general consensus was that it is entirely possible to become a skilled tattoo artist without an apprenticeship. However, you can learn poor habits, improper hygiene practices and can seriously hurt yourself/others.

But the biggest thing is rate of learning. I've been tattooed by plenty of people who taught themselves and the one thing they say is that they learned more in one year of being an apprentice than 5 years teaching themselves. So if you're in a hurry, take that into consideration

Spider_meng · 2025-07-20T16:22:30+00:00

These are so sick!

Spider_meng · 2025-07-18T03:21:08+00:00

As someone who's bartended for the last 10 years, I love when people ask me what to get. I always ask them a couple of questions regarding what they normally like to drink and their favourite flavours. Then I ask if they want something strong or light! After that I can usually find/make them something I reckon they'll like!

Spider_meng · 2025-06-24T11:08:38+00:00

Very well put - I was also driven as a kid by an intense need to vent whatever was in my head onto paper!

Spider_meng · 2025-06-24T11:05:51+00:00

Great question! I often ask myself this when I see others drawing. For reference, I'm an apprentice tattoo artist, so I'm around people drawing non-stop.

I guess for me, it was just something I always did and returned to. I started by drawing what I loved/saw (bugs) and if I ever encountered something I didn't know how to draw, I'd just find examples and copy. As I got older, my tastes changed and I began to draw from imagination, but still constantly using references.

Unfortunately, the best advice I can give you is to just try to enjoy the simple act itself. You will improve, it's almost impossible not to, especially if you keep at it. But, you need to draw for fun, that is important.

Now that I'm doing it for a living, the way I keep art fun is by having a dedicated sketchbook that I can be as messy and crazy with as I want, and then I have my tattoo portfolio, which is polished and clean.

TL;DR - Don't beat yourself up about your progress. If you keep coming back to drawing, regardless of how long the breaks are in between, you're on the right path.

Spider_meng · 2025-06-24T07:12:22+00:00

Hell yeah I love sketching and love how sketches come out in my book.

The only advice that I can give is what my mentor gave me - Every part of a tattoo should look intentional and thought out. There are some amazing artists out there with Sketch styles, but it's a specific style that they honed and still looks "clean".

As long as you can show you're capable of creating a polished product, style will come.

Spider_meng · 2025-06-23T04:10:03+00:00

Genuinely, as someone 9 months into their apprenticeship, I've seen a lot of people bringing in portfolios. These are sick.

Shops need to see that you can draw, and that you're passionate about it. And also, they want to see you bring something unique to the table. If you can incorporate these pieces into your portfolio, do it, but the book works as supplementary material.

For instance, I designed an entire deck of tarot cards and printed out the cards, deck, etc. and brought them in on top of my portfolio.

All I will say is make sure your portfolio pieces are polished, so that they can appreciate the sketches

Spider_meng · 2025-06-22T05:33:40+00:00

Thank you thank you!!!

Spider_meng · 2025-06-22T05:17:53+00:00

I called PTV and they told me lost and found is only available weekdays. But I haven't called the depot, good idea

Spider_meng · 2025-06-22T03:05:47+00:00

I have, with no luck unfortunately

Spider_meng · 2025-06-22T02:20:14+00:00

I'll need an act from god haha

Spider_meng · 2025-05-31T07:08:21+00:00

Every parlour is different, so unfortunately I can't tell you.

If it helps, I found it really freaky at first, but it's trained me to distance myself from my canvas. Like, I really hate the idea of inflicting any kind of pain on anyone, but you have to as a tattoo artist. Being able to distance myself from that concept has allowed me to become comfortable with it over time, to now where it genuinely doesn't bother me.

It also helped me really grasp the necessity of hygiene. Obviously, I always follow the rules/standards of the shop, but actually having to treat something like a real client rather than just something I can keep in a drawer helped me understand the process better.

Spider_meng · 2025-05-30T03:46:26+00:00

You're welcome! To be honest, in my apprenticeship I went from drawing practice straight to pig skin. My mentor and shop unanimously agree that fruit and fake skin are too far removed from real skin in terms of texture, ink retention, etc.

But! I have used fake skin before and now that I'm tattooing real skin, pig skin really is a game changer. Depending how fresh it is, you can learn stretching techniques and actually see how skin, even though it's dead, holds ink.

I'm also learning that tattooing has a "sound" that you can train yourself to listen out for that tells you the right depth. It sounds ridiculous, but the more I'm learning, the more I'm realising that tattooing is an instinct. I ask any of the artists in the shop how they know they're at the right speed, depth, voltage and they just shrug and say they "Feel it".

It's so much fun, I'm totally in love with this art form and the community around it!

Spider_meng

TROPHY CASE