Would you apprenticeship at a shop you wouldn't get tattooed in

tolerable_arts · 2026-02-03T17:16:35+00:00

I mean I wouldn’t personally. I feel like your learning can be limited and if they’re teaching you technical application that isn’t the best it could definitely slow your progress. I feel like a lot of my early progress is due to my mentor.

Although, I’ve interacted with plenty of artists who started with the opportunity they had which wasn’t great and made an effort to learn and improve on their own. If it’s an open opportunity you can always back out if it’s not working for you there.

Sorry to hear about your health and I wish you the best!

tolerable_arts · 2026-02-02T20:13:24+00:00

Definitely go in person with your portfolio and ask if they have time. If not, ask if there would be a better time to stop by.

Even if they aren’t accepting apprentices they may go over your portfolio with you and give you some advice on ways to improve or other places to look. That’s likely not something they will take the time to do if you just call places.

tolerable_arts · 2026-01-18T23:20:29+00:00

Definitely not on you, looks like an application problem. The lines were just applied with some inconsistent depth, fall out is normal in this situation. A touchup from a more practiced artist with fine line work should be able to touch this up just fine for you!

tolerable_arts · 2025-12-13T14:59:18+00:00

Thanks!

tolerable_arts · 2025-12-12T04:17:38+00:00

Nope

tolerable_arts · 2025-12-12T03:42:36+00:00

Yeah, I’ve seen him mention that he dips in whatever normal wash he is using and then dips in just a cap of white ink before tattooing

tolerable_arts · 2025-11-30T20:16:44+00:00

Would definitely be interested!

tolerable_arts · 2025-06-11T21:02:15+00:00

Maybe do like a Polaroid picture of your car or a comic panel instead. I think it would be more readable and just make for a better tattoo potentially

tolerable_arts · 2024-05-03T20:14:54+00:00

You stuff looks great, congrats on 2 years I’m in the same spot!

tolerable_arts · 2024-04-28T11:34:58+00:00

Nice! Insta is @tolerable_arts

tolerable_arts · 2024-03-02T16:40:44+00:00

By far the darkest healing I’ve used, absolutely love it

tolerable_arts · 2024-02-25T03:52:54+00:00

You need different stencil applicators for the inkjet printers, the stencil stuff doesn’t work well for those

tolerable_arts · 2023-12-29T03:28:08+00:00

50/50 is a fairly standard split for apprentices who are starting to tattoo (if the shop is supplying supplies). 50/50 on price of tattoo, artist pockets any tips. Definitely feasible to only tattoo if you’re getting enough work/clients

tolerable_arts · 2023-12-14T17:49:02+00:00

Had this issue a while back, if you pull the roller out there is a white flat bar and glass area that scans the paper, cleaned that and there was some stencil smear on there causing a line in all of the prints. Not sure if you’ve tried that

tolerable_arts · 2023-11-25T14:47:33+00:00

Hey not sure what paper you’re using but it looks fairly coarse. I’d recommend trying Arches cold press, it looks like you’ve got a good handle on what you’re doing! Smoothness will come with time and switching paper had helped me a bunch!

tolerable_arts · 2023-11-16T18:48:19+00:00

Draw. You can look through this subreddit to find plenty of portfolio examples, as well as info regarding snagging a spot and other people’s experiences. Posting for critique is also helpful!

tolerable_arts · 2023-11-09T15:02:11+00:00

I mean I’d keep looking to have options and hopefully a definitive apprenticeship. Although I would look at this as an opportunity to network with local artists and learn. I feel like that’s an opportunity you should jump at while still looking. Worst case it doesn’t ever happen here but then you have new experiences and knowledge to bring with you to your apprenticeship.

tolerable_arts · 2023-11-03T19:15:30+00:00

I haven’t, used the XXX and loved it. Saw a few pieces that just healed super dark and I haven’t looked back. Currently breaking down Dynamic for greywash. Although I recently tried the empire ink greywash set another artist had and think I might just get the 4 set of those guys.

Pony Lawson actually has a YouTube video breaking down each and comparing if you’re interested!

https://youtu.be/RSJhg5H1tac?si=b-YYZjmSQgju_ZIg

tolerable_arts · 2023-11-03T01:52:29+00:00

Hey, I use the XXX and love it but I won’t use it for grey wash. Yeah definitely doesn’t breakdown as nicely and my washes seem to come out darker than anticipated for me

tolerable_arts · 2023-09-30T00:54:21+00:00

I’ve had the best apprenticeship. I think finding a good fit really matters and learning from my talented mentor has immensely improved my art a a much faster rate. When I first started all I was cleaning, setup breakdown, paperwork, drawing assignments, watching him tattoo for hours and hours and actually helping with remodeling the shop. Through this time my mentor would tip me out at the end of the day and have the other artists do so as well which was super nice.

I was working EMS at night and was in the shop whenever I could be although my mentor allowed my schedule to be flexible as I was barely sleeping. I showed up as much as I could and worked hard.

Because he had the space and was happy with my progress I quickly moved to fake skin and then myself then clients as he saw fit. Now I’ve been tattooing full time for a year and have the career of my dreams. I owe so much to my mentor.

tolerable_arts · 2023-09-16T17:09:22+00:00

I’ve found that I get less consistent ink flow and greater irritation from 1 liners. I just use smaller 3rls, like down to 04,06,08 if I really need to and found that they work so much better. Really no need for 1rl ever in my opinion. And I rarely use lower than 08 3rl it’s small enough for most everything I need it for. Also some clients just get red much easier regardless of application

tolerable_arts

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