If not practice skins then what???

[tat2edsoda]

only helped cause i had issues with turning the machine when going around but as for texture or likeness to skin nope was not the same just for the 3d part.

[FATSOS]

my practice skin was the skin on my calf...

[Tattoos_By_Sedano]

My first practice tattoos are on my thighs right above my knee. After that, I called in friends who were down for free small tattoos like kanji or anything small and solid black really. I was told none of that stuff really works, as far as the practice skin, and fruits or pig skin. Although I will say that said tattoos were under the supervision/guidance of my mentors.

[Andres]

Originally Posted by FATSOS

my practice skin was the skin on my calf...

Yeah for real man, every tattoo artist I know has their legs tattooed from when they were learning. I consider it a badge of honor, even if they're a bit ugly because it means that you sacrificed your own skin for the knowledge and experience you gain from it. Pretty much tattoo anywhere you can reach that isn't always visible. I still have areas on my leg where I do test patches if I'm trying out some new ink before I start using it on my customers. After that do lots of small tattoos anywhere that can be covered on friends and undiscriminating individuals, with your mentor's permission of course.

[spuncyco]

Originally Posted by Andres

Yeah for real man, every tattoo artist I know has their legs tattooed from when they were learning. I consider it a badge of honor, even if they're a bit ugly because it means that you sacrificed your own skin for the knowledge and experience you gain from it. Pretty much tattoo anywhere you can reach that isn't always visible. I still have areas on my leg where I do test patches if I'm trying out some new ink before I start using it on my customers. After that do lots of small tattoos anywhere that can be covered on friends and undiscriminating individuals, with your mentor's permission of course.

yup, legs are f@#ked up. My daughter blasted me up when she was 9 years old, a buddy of mine did his first tat on my leg and 4 of my first. I just got a pretty nasty burn from my crotch rocket exhaust tho so Im gonna lose some of two old ones. Maybe I can incorporate my new scar into my next piece. Any ideas anybody? Its shaped like an oval about 2x3 inches. Help me out here...

[carterink]

if it's just superficial, then allow to heal, treat with tea tree oil, and in months you can do infinite numbers of things.

[KCarino]

I know some kids who bloodline, or greyline....but I'm not sure it's worth creating the trauma....it's a double edged sword to me, you can't judge line weight or depth...so I think it gives a false sense of what you're doing...perhaps teaching you bad habits?

Grapefruit, I have done just to put a machine in my hand and use the 3d surface to try to pull straight lines. But here again, it shouldn't be used to measure anything other than machine weight and the ability to try and control your depth....Skin is skin, if you've got it, use it, because there is NOTHING like it.

[AARON IS...]

when i hear "practice skin", i think only one thing........friends.....

do it they will let you......and when you get better fix what you did wrong....its a learning process thats been used for a long friggan time.....and the only way to truly learn to tattoo......

[Frek]

Thanx , I like the friends idea........

[Tattoos_By_Sedano]

My first few apprentice tattoos that weren't on myself were on willing "friends" but then a lot of the "friends" disappeared when I started charging for them. I'm grateful for their "skin donations" regardless lol