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Choosing a Tattoo Artist/Studio
So you have made up your mind to finally get permanently marked. Before you go and "do it", you better think twice about who does the work. Remember that your tattoo will be in your skin for the rest of your life, so be sure the artist you choose can do quality work.
Types
of Artists
In the world of tattoos there are two basic types of professional 'artists'. Tattoo Artists and Tattooists. Let's take a look at the differences in a nutshell, but keep in mind that this is a generalization and not the rule.
Tattoo Artist
• Capable of drawing just about anything, though drawing ability and style may vary from artist to artist.
• Works easily with flash or custom created artwork but prefers custom work.
• Can create 'on the spot' art without difficulty for customers.
• May have a background in fine or commercial art or art education.
Tattooist
• Requires time to draw a custom tattoo or make instant changes on a flash piece.
• Relies heavily on flash or work done by others.
• Usually combines different elements from various flash sheets to create something new.
• May have unrefined natural ability to draw and not much else.
This is not to say that one is better than the other, you must evaluate each on their own grounds according to their individual abilities. I have met so-called professional tattoo 'artists' whose drawing abilities are
amateurish
at the best and accomplished 'tattooists' who do unbelievably
excellent work from flash but can't draw their own stuff too well. Both of these type can be found working professionally in a tattoo parlor.
Scratcher
There is one other type of artist I should mention here; the scratcher. This artist is not professional and usually tattoos friends at cheap rates with a 'tattoo kit' purchased from some dealer. Usually they are self-taught, have some artistic
ability
but no training in the mechanics of tattooing. Health issues are a major consideration. Scratchers usually cut corners to save money by reusing needles, often only sanitized in alcohol or bleach. Rarely is an autoclave used.
What
to Look For
When searching for an artist you must keep in mind that each one has their own individual style of work. Find an artist whose style and quality of artwork is to your liking. Here is a quick run-down of what to look for when selecting an artist;
- Always ask to see their portfolio. Take a close look at their previous work. It should have clean, smooth, unbroken lines, even color saturation, good use of color and contrast. The overall quality of the artwork should be
consistent and professional looking.
- Ask them what their favorite style of work is. Every artist has a personal
preference for a style of work (i.e. fineline, new school, gray wash, etc.). The closer to your chosen artist's style of work, the better the overall results will be on getting the tattoo you desire.
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