Tattooing is an age-long practice where shapes are drawn on the skin with ink. This practice has gone on to become very popular not only among the youths but adults alike.
To become a tattoo artist, a lot of work needs to be put in to master the art of replicating shapes and drawings from pictures to the skin. The process of learning tattooing is never-ending and if you want to become an expert you’ll have to spend a considerable amount of time practicing.
So if you’re tattooing as a hobby or as a career, practice will take you farther than anything else. But how do you practice as a beginner?
Before you can start practicing you need to get some tattoo kits. While you may not be able to afford some more sophisticated tools, or they may not even be needed at this point, you can get a beginner tool kit to aid your practice. Check out tattoolikethepros.com for beginner kits you can try.
Here are the most effective ways to practice tattooing as a beginner:
Practice Drawing and Designing
Practice makes perfect is a common saying showing the value of repetition as it gets you accustomed to what you’ll be doing and makes you better. If you want to become a better tattooist, get ready to put in a lot of time through practice.
As a professional, you’ll be drawing a lot, so why not make it easier for you by learning how to draw exceptionally well.
Practice with a weighted pencil to simulate the use of a tattooing machine which is usually heavier than a pencil or pen. Add 80 grams weight of metal rings to the top of the pencil.
Practice how to draw effectively. Pay attention to repetition by drawing constantly and frequently. Start with drawing on paper with a pencil and move to draw with a pen to give yourself the feel of permanent ink.
Drawing on paper and flat surfaces may not give you the complete experience you’ll more often than not be drawing on contoured surfaces.
Practice how to draw on surfaces that are shaped like parts of the body. You can draw on fruits like orange, apple, and banana or purchase synthetic skin for drawing.
If you’ve practiced enough and have gotten the hang of it, you can practice on a friend with a nonpermanent marker or henna. Practice designs and ask for feedback on where you can improve. Practice on yourself, on parts like your hands, legs, or wherever you can comfortably handle.
Practice with a Tattooing Machine
Practicing with a marker is one thing, using a tattooing machine is the real deal. Put yourself into the thick of things by practicing with a tattooing machine.
You can make use of contoured fruits and synthetic arms to continue your practice. Using a tattooing machine lets you acclimatize with its use and also builds your hand strength as it is quite heavier than a marker.
You need to keep a steady hand when tattooing and using a tattooing machine will let you practice steady hand movement.
Get Acclimatized with All Tattooing Equipment
Just like using a tattooing machine to practice, you need to get used to all the other tools. Check all the tools, feel them, and know what they are used for and how to handle them.
This will give you first-hand knowledge of all the tools you’ll be using to make your art. Even when you cannot get access to all the equipment, you can search online to see what they look like and how to use them.
Even though the real-life handling of these tools is important, you can make do with an online lecture for now till you can get yours or visit a tattoo shop with all of them.
Some of the different types of tattooing machines you should be looking at are pneumatic, shader, liner, coil, rotary among others. You also want to know when they are used as some are used for straight lines, while others handle coloring.
Summary
Just practicing haphazardly may help you but better-planned practice will quickly and more effectively put you on the part to becoming an expert.
You should know that learning tattooing will take a lot of time so you need patience and time to practice before you start tattooing clients.