Hi, im starting an apprenticeship soon, but want to learn by myself as well, ive watched pretty much every video on youtube and have seen loads of how to instructional videos and books etc. but like all quicksilverscreeners, id rather not pay for them, so if anyone could link me to one, (and hopefully a half way decent one!) then that would be great, thanks.

Do your apprenticeship, and learn nothing without supervision. Then after three years of absorbing your master (as long as he/she is qualifies, 10+ years xp) then go on to be at the bottom of the totem pole at several shops over the next 7 years. You will then be a qualified tattoo artist. No videos required.

The only thing videos will be good for is getting you to do techniques that are improperly learned, and that will most probably have to be UN-learned at a later date when you ask the right questions and get the proper instruction. Publishing a tattoo instructional video is like publishing an open heart surgery video.

Ask yourself... who makes tattoo education videos? Tattoo supply companies. They do this so they can sell scratchers gear. Tattoo supply companies do not care if you cross contaminate and infect a persons tattoo. The do not care about the quality of work you do. They give you the bare minimum to buy their shit. Even if you found a video I would beg you not to attempt to "learn" from it.

I do not know ONE MASTER who puts out a video. For the sake of your clients future skin, please do it the humble, long and proper way. It saves good tattoo artists from having to cover up your scratches. You only get ONE shot at a reputation, so dont blow it.

Go to as many conventions as possible on top of your in shop training. I have been to the Doncaster Tattoo Jam recently in the UK and witnessed many a pro (Joe Cap.... (his pinup stylee), Bez... (he did the Magnum PI portrait, cool as fuck), Mike Devries etc...and got to check out some good seminars on topics such as "Colour Theory" by Bez and got inked up myself for good measure by Kiwi Matt with some old school Jerry.

The depth of talent that you can witness and question first hand is immense and listen to Ultra defo... he's the artist, I'm just a tattoo fan with a tattoist girlfriend.

P.S. get yourself a colour wheel from any art shop it will make those colours pop right out.

the guy im learning from is a great tattooist, hes been doing it for ten years in some of the best shops around the world, hes a bit of a traveller. i was thinking more along the lines of equipment guides, process etc rather than actual tattooing techniques.

i agree that it is 90% crap out there, but i have seen some good ones from masters at expertvillage.com to do with actual tattooing technique. These were in no way endorsed by companies and i know to give that crap a wide berth. I would just like something to review as im going along, like a revision kind of thing i suppose. i am in no way attempting to go out and tattoo straight away, nor do i even own my own equipment yet and have no plans to get any until im told to. just thought it might help to learn the basics about the tools etc before i start my apprenticeship.

thanks for the advice though guys, i really appreciate the wise words, but im not a total noob! ive been getting tattoos and involved in the culture since i was 14, and definitely know the difference between a decent artist and a scratcher.

btw thats a lovely portrait. class a work. and i know two of the artists you might have seen while at the doncaster jam, pm me to find out who lol. one of them and the guy whos teaching me are good mates and have tattooed together for a while in different shops. the other, tattooed me.

ultra - pm me a link to your work if you dont mind, ill pm you my teacher's page as well.

Ill send you a few of my tattoos tekr. I am retired now after 14 years in the business. It sounds like your attitude is right in place to become great. I wish half my apprentices exhibited such respect.

Great advice as well Mark8. THAT is a portrait! If you look closely it is also the perfect texture of skin and a great flat spot for a portrait, so a lot of things came together to make a great piece. Color wheels are indispensable as well.... tho I use them only in theory since I am half colorblind. I am a black and gray specialist. Having said that, I still use my knowledge of color/complementary color on a daily basis.