"Scratchers"

[Bufferkiller]

Originally Posted by tattoedvoodoo

I started as a scratcher. I bought a cheap ebay machine and tattooed myself. I worked in a hospital and i knew all about being sterile. I hit up every shop in 3 counties for someone to teach me. It was the last shop i went in that the guy was really cool. I would go there and watch him tat, he would let me sit right on top of him and watch. He would explain what he was doing. Then he would start giving me little things to do, like draw a rose for me and shade it the best you can with no color just B and G. I would go home draw a rose and go back the next day. He would help me with my shading because that was the part that was hard for me. Just a bunch of stuff like that.Oh during this time i did not tattoo anybody.I got to setup and tear down for him, even though he did not want anything in return.He showed me how to properly clean the equipment. I am forever greatful to Frank for helping me out when no one else would. Hell i'm in a shop now tattooing for a living and loving it. I still stop in to see him 3 times a week,he opens before the shop that i'm at does so it gives me a chance to hang out with him. He always asks to see what i have done. I guess what i'm trying to say is go into these shops with a positive attitude, be cool not cocky and someone will help you. At least that's how it happened for me. Good Luck

That sounds like an apprenticeship without all the bulls&!t hazing junk. Did you start tattooing people once you were in a shop, or before? Otherwise, I don't think it counts as being a scratcher.

[tattoedvoodoo]

i waited to tattoo until he told me to find someone to tat. I did one or two on myself. Being impatient. yeah i guess it was an apprenticeship without all the bull.

[SJRabbit]

Originally Posted by tattoedvoodoo

I started as a scratcher. I bought a cheap ebay machine and tattooed myself. I worked in a hospital and i knew all about being sterile. I hit up every shop in 3 counties for someone to teach me. It was the last shop i went in that the guy was really cool. I would go there and watch him tat, he would let me sit right on top of him and watch. He would explain what he was doing. Then he would start giving me little things to do, like draw a rose for me and shade it the best you can with no color just B and G. I would go home draw a rose and go back the next day. He would help me with my shading because that was the part that was hard for me. Just a bunch of stuff like that.Oh during this time i did not tattoo anybody.I got to setup and tear down for him, even though he did not want anything in return.He showed me how to properly clean the equipment. I am forever greatful to Frank for helping me out when no one else would. Hell i'm in a shop now tattooing for a living and loving it. I still stop in to see him 3 times a week,he opens before the shop that i'm at does so it gives me a chance to hang out with him. He always asks to see what i have done. I guess what i'm trying to say is go into these shops with a positive attitude, be cool not cocky and someone will help you. At least that's how it happened for me. Good Luck

see someone gets it, Clap Clap Good Reply sir

[niku]

I feel your pain bro. I grew up in Orange County, So.Cal with a bunch of peeps that became tattoo artists. I was always around the shops hanging out and watching and learning and I always wanted to become a tattoo artist but never had the Balls to do it until now.....15 years later. I live in Atlanta now and I have been looking for an apprenticeship for a minute. I don't let it discourage me though because Im confident in my ability to learn and execute. I have compiled a great deal of helpful information on the art and I study,study,study everyday and draw,draw,draw everyday. I will continue to do so until the day comes when the tattoo god's smile upon my ugly ass face and bestow upon me a well deserved apprenticeship. I have my own equipment ( ITS machines ) ya I know....but I wont invest in the good machines until I am ready. I started out on piggy but now I practice on myself and on my brother and my best friend. I am fortunate enough to have friends in the industry who will answer my questions but I really dont bother them unless Im really stumped on something. Keep working at it and keep your head up.