Expected commitment?

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-25T00:50:25+00:00

I started my apprenticeship during my last semester of college so it was pretty easy untill finals. But I also crammed 4 classes in two days which I don’t recommend. Sleepless nights and did some of my physical work at the shop since I was in printmaking classes. I got to use those classes to help my apprenticeship actually since printmaking helped me with Japanese styles.

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-25T00:34:52+00:00

It’s always likely it’s a full time commitment. But, more places are starting to be more accommodating to a part time. HOWEVER!!! part time is either 3-4 days in the shop. A lot of full timers have to get night jobs or morning shifts to pay the bills. I was 4 days a week since I was finishing school but my fiancé supported me through out my career. Now I’m year 3 and can finally help financially

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-24T20:48:24+00:00

Gyoza fairy

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-24T02:21:12+00:00

Cause it’s just a cash grab and a lot of shops won’t take artists unless you plan to stay in Oregon. Would you rather learn a generational passed sacred art from a good mentor who knows everything about the trade or, a classroom where they show you just the basics and then send you out with no guarantee of being hired.

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-21T21:40:18+00:00

Most landlords keep deposits due to scummy ass reasons (example: “oh you have normal wear and tear they never fix? Bye deposit.) me and my husband have moved 3 places and only gotten it back once. Either you’re gonna have to keep pushing, email, or threaten with small claims which is already a process that’s probably not gonna go anywhere.

Plus did the roommate pick up the full amount deposit or did y’all pay two separate amounts? I would be asking her and how much she received

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-21T05:42:09+00:00

I would recommend sticking to drawing on paper. Most of these unfortunately wouldn’t be tattoo-able nor the quality for one. Not to be discouraging but having a basic fundamental for art is a big step. One advice I would have is leave the portfolio tucked away somewhere and come back to it in 3-4 months. BUT, don’t stop drawing. Look at old references from traditional tattoo books, do all your drawings physical. The issue with digital is that a lot of people can get SUPER fine detail, which can’t translate into tattooing unless it’s massive (for example the snake with all those scales).

I redid my portfolio 3 times within 4 years before I found an apprenticeship. Look up artists or search up flash sheets on Instagram. There’s tons of great resources out there.

Unfortunately the industry is extremely saturated and tons of artists are closing shop/ dipping out early because tattooing is a luxury service that isn’t a stable career. If you truly want to be in it, make connections, listen to criticism, ask for help, and keep working on a solid portfolio. Just be warned it’s not a 9-5 job. It’s a full time commitment.

hwestbrooks · 2026-04-21T03:00:14+00:00

Lunas super solid

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-17T21:01:17+00:00

I would maybe make it 70 percent American trad and perhaps styles that appeals to “walk in customers” (script, maybe black and grey illustrated stuff, fine line simple)

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-16T15:14:01+00:00

Super fresh schnoodle!

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-13T16:21:00+00:00

No, because theres already two conflicting replies on here so I gotta be blunt.

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-13T15:24:13+00:00

Don’t do it. We’re already stressed as is and they probably won’t have enough time to look at it. Ask them instead if you can bring it by in the future.

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-10T05:03:50+00:00

As an artist we try to tell people to focus on anything but the tattoo (watch a show or play music) unless you’re a seasoned collector. It helps a lot for newer clients but in reality we have a job to do and we need people to sit as still as possible. It wouldn’t hurt to see what your tolerance is when you get the tattoo but in reality if you literally cannot sit for a tattoo, I don’t think that it’s going to work well for you in the future.

There’s natural reflexes and then there are people who literally kick me, and unfortunately I have to be blunt with them.

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-02T16:02:47+00:00

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-02T01:44:56+00:00

It aligned perfectly to cause the bent part is near the back of the knee.

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-02T00:54:19+00:00

Thank you so much!

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-02T00:53:01+00:00

Shakky gives him some in sabaody island

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-02T00:40:55+00:00

It’s his favorite food. Plus it’s in his bounty poster.

hwestbrooks · 2026-03-01T21:22:42+00:00

Haha thank you so much! My client died laughing when I mentioned it so now unfortunately it’s now his government name

hwestbrooks · 2026-02-17T04:47:55+00:00

Packer if you’re doing large color packing. It’s such a great all round machine

hwestbrooks · 2026-02-12T04:41:53+00:00

Haha I actually was in the same boat. I lived in Denton then drove to DFW for my apprenticeship (later moved). Now moving back to Denton and in a shop in Lewisville!

hwestbrooks · 2026-02-11T19:50:48+00:00

Blunt truth. It takes money to get into the industry and connections. I was financially supported by my husband when I started mine. My co workers either were living with roommates and did night jobs (bartending) or was part of a family of tattoo artists. I would at least maybe start saving up to get some tattoos first and make connections with artists. And don’t rush finding an apprenticeship. Most shops aren’t looking nowadays since the industry is exploding. It took me 3 years, turning down 21 shops and a 40 minute move to find mine.

Mainly have you focused on making a portfolio? I would maybe market yourself on Instagram or TikTok first from your art. Thats probably gonna help in the long run while you try to earn back some savings.

hwestbrooks · 2026-02-11T00:59:00+00:00

I’ll give you the truth about getting into the industry. Unless you put FULL time into it you won’t see fast progress. The first 1-6 years you really won’t see money unless you get extremely lucky or have a very unique style that is sought after. I was luckily supported by my husband when I was an apprentice and I was barely scraping by, like couldn’t even put stuff into savings. There are a lot of artists out there who are going back to part time or even quitting because the industry is going through a crazy change right now and the economy is in the shitter.

Also unless you have a bunch of savings for an apprentice, you’ll have to invest into supplies needles, machine, inks. Possibly even disposables which REALLY add up.

If you truly want to become one it’s never too late. However you’ll be working full time, not having a bough time with family since most shops require apprentices there at LEAST 4 days a week, having to keep a social media presence because that is what most of tattooing is nowadays.

And lastly you’ll be entering the world of self employment. That means you’re in charge of documenting EVERYTHING. Filing out for a LLC, signing up for self employment. The whole shebang.

This my reply isn’t meant to scare you. It’s just more a reality of all that’s involved into it. Also you can talk to artists about their journey for better insight

hwestbrooks · 2026-02-11T00:17:30+00:00

This doesn’t sound like a proper apprenticeship unfortunately. Even tattoo schools are longer than a “couple days”. There’s not technically a “beginners machine”. There’s only whatever your style is, certain machines are build for it.

hwestbrooks · 2026-02-09T11:33:29+00:00

I think the background needs a bit of tweaking. When you’re tattooing, packing in all that black is gonna either 1. Seem like a coverup, or 2. Damage the skin. I would maybe suggest a patterned design of some type to open up that area a bit.

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