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**Will this portfolio get me an apprenticeship?** Posted: 1/23/2012 3:30:19 AM

Hi, I am looking for an apprenticeship. I live in Adelaide, SA and have emailed one place that I really want to work for my deviantart gallery link - http://stef-g.deviantart.com . Was this too unprofessional?

I was also wondering if this work has any hope in hell of getting me an apprenticeship? Should I spend some time doing more "tattooish" work? I have no tattoos myself, will this affect my chances of getting an apprenticeship.

Any advice or tips on how I should present myself, critiques on my drawings or suggestions on other types of drawings I should include in my portfolio would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I am a professional. Not the greatest. Still trying to get my groove. My art is good, but I don't finish most of my ideas beyond sketching. When I started though, the truly SICK artists out there weren't tattoo artists. There were guys like Filip Lieu and a few others, but most of the art was mediocre, so it might be different now for new guys. But I'll give you my honest opinion. Your realism looks great, it is spot on, and looks photocopied. That will help you when it comes time to do that style in the skin, because much of the techniques and knowledge of shading are similar.
You might be a little intimidated at first, when you finally do a B&G piece or portrait, because it IS a new medium for you. Don't be let down, just keep at it. One of the best B&G portrait guys I know personally is never truly satisfied with his work. Stick with it though. B&G portrait art is here to stay, and it is always good to have that skill set, because people are always looking for those artists.
But I think it would be better for you to actually get a tattoo. Somewhere where it would be easy to watch the work being done. And don't be afraid to ask. Be up front with the artist. These days tattoo artists are mostly friendly and want to talk to other artists. When I started, I kept getting the door kicked in my face by ugly bikers that mostly just wanted to go get a beer after I was gone.

So save up a little money...and go to an artist you really respect, get one. You will know a lot more about tattoos after that, and your conversations with tattoo artists will have another dimension. Most of us love skin art, even if , sometimes, it hurts like hell.

Thanks for looking at my work. I can imagine how much more difficult tattooing portraits would be. I guess the blending would be a lot more difficult... and I understand never being satisfied with your work as I never am now either :)

As far as getting a tattoo, the problem is, although I think tattoo art is beautiful, I really don't want one right now. I have had many many tattoo ideas over time, and for me I want to love the same concept for at least a few years before I get it done. Is this going to get me laughed out of any chance of an apprenticeship?

Do you think I could tag along with a friend getting a tattoo, or is that a bit rude?

Thanks for your advice!

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Will this portfolio get me an apprenticeship?

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