Tattooing courses are offered online as well as on video, however, these courses can only tell you how to go about getting an apprenticeship. In order for you to receive the best tattooing courses, you will need to find a tattoo artist who will be willing to give you an apprenticeship in his or her tattoo studio. There is no shortcut that will allow you to become a tattoo artist. If you find an apprenticeship, you should make sure it offers training in needle depth setting, ink mixing and tattoo placement. Knowledge of human skin, sterilization of the tools and licensing requirements are all teaching components to be covered in quality tattooing courses.
Art courses and drawing courses are of little use when it comes to searching out tattooing courses. The only practical method of learning how to tattoo is through the process of apprenticeship tattooing courses from a licensed tattoo artist. When seeking out the best tattooing courses, you should look for a tattoo shop that does not employ several tattoo artists. A very busy shop is typically not a good teaching shop. Many tattoo shops have their prime interest on making money and not on teaching up-and-comers the art of tattooing.
Seek out an older tattoo artist who does tattoos by appointment to show you the methods of proper tattooing. Sterilization of the equipment, ink selection and tattoo site preparation are all important information, however, the basics of outlining and shading are often simply brushed over by lesser teaching tattooing courses. Tattooing ethics basics will never be ignored by a quality teaching shop. Tattooing minors and intoxicated customers are considered taboo by any quality tattoo shop, and you should only seek education in the form of an apprenticeship by a shop that adheres to these ethical basics.
While some manufacturers of tattooing equipment commonly offer initial tattooing courses claiming to ready the participant for an apprenticeship, they are commonly more interested in selling the would-be tattoo artist a tattoo gun than actually educating him or her. A good tattoo artist will explain what type of equipment to buy as well as what to avoid in the course of an apprenticeship and will not base the apprenticeship on the condition that you purchase a particular tattoo gun from him or her. The best method of ensuring quality tattooing courses are taken is to talk to several prospective shop owners and choose the one who makes the best impression, as this is a very personal occupation.