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One of the first things my mentor asked me to do (after the bikini carwash) was to draw a rose, and tattoo it on fake skin 3 times to develop consistency.

As I hadn't drawn many flowers at the time that meant learning how a rose actually grows in the real world, then adapting that knowledge to my style, so I knew the anatomy and shading would be technically correct without any of the guesswork that can sometimes invade illustrations.

As you may know by now, I'm also massively nerdy about geometry and perspectives, but I kept this simple so the basics shapes read easily.

My linework was already pretty consistent but adapting my pencil shading to work with a tattoo machine meant some trial and error with hand speed/voltage, needle groupings and grey wash tones, but the main thing is to practice deliberately with your weaknesses in mind, to overcome those issues and become a confident tattoo artist.

Big up @soulandshadetattoostudio for giving me the opportunity to grow with them as an apprentice, I really appreciate being surrounded by so much skill (and patience!) in the best tattoo studio in Bradford.
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#tattoo #apprentice #bradford #blackwork #darkart

One of the first things my mentor asked me to do (after the bikini carwash) was to draw a rose, and tattoo it on fake skin 3 times to develop consistency.

As I hadn't drawn many flowers at the time that meant learning how a rose actually grows in the real world, then adapting that knowledge to my style, so I knew the anatomy and shading would be technically correct without any of the guesswork that can sometimes invade illustrations.

As you may know by now, I'm also massively nerdy about geometry and perspectives, but I kept this simple so the basics shapes read easily.

My linework was already pretty consistent but adapting my pencil shading to work with a tattoo machine meant some trial and error with hand speed/voltage, needle groupings and grey wash tones, but the main thing is to practice deliberately with your weaknesses in mind, to overcome those issues and become a confident tattoo artist.

Big up @soulandshadetattoostudio for giving me the opportunity to grow with them as an apprentice, I really appreciate being surrounded by so much skill (and patience!) in the best tattoo studio in Bradford.
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#tattoo #apprentice #bradford #blackwork #darkart

Let me tell you a story about DARUMA, and why this works so well as a tattoo... Based on the story of Bodhidharma (known as Daruma-Daishi in Japan) who spent 9 years meditating, staring at a cave wall with his eyes wide open the whole time.

He was so devoted to his practice that his limbs fell off, which is why a Daruma doll is represented as a bottom-weighted figure that can't be toppled, signifying that it is within one's own power to recover from life's misfortunes.

The custom of painting a Daruma doll's eyes is symbolic of a wish you hope to be granted: you should visualise a goal you want to achieve and fill the pupil of the right eye, and when through your subsequent actions the goal is fulfilled, you may draw in the other eye.

I like to pair Japanese art with the symbolism of seasonal flora, in this case the spider lily or Higanbana, which can represent hopeless love, because the leaves and flower of the plant grow completely separately; so in this case the wish made of Daruma might be to get over your ex by next autumn!
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#tattoo #apprentice #japanese #traditional #bradford

Let me tell you a story about DARUMA, and why this works so well as a tattoo... Based on the story of Bodhidharma (known as Daruma-Daishi in Japan) who spent 9 years meditating, staring at a cave wall with his eyes wide open the whole time.

He was so devoted to his practice that his limbs fell off, which is why a Daruma doll is represented as a bottom-weighted figure that can't be toppled, signifying that it is within one's own power to recover from life's misfortunes.

The custom of painting a Daruma doll's eyes is symbolic of a wish you hope to be granted: you should visualise a goal you want to achieve and fill the pupil of the right eye, and when through your subsequent actions the goal is fulfilled, you may draw in the other eye.

I like to pair Japanese art with the symbolism of seasonal flora, in this case the spider lily or Higanbana, which can represent hopeless love, because the leaves and flower of the plant grow completely separately; so in this case the wish made of Daruma might be to get over your ex by next autumn!
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#tattoo #apprentice #japanese #traditional #bradford

Flash page 9 - PLAGUE. Feeling the medieval vibes, taking it back to a magical time when the rattling of dead-carts echoed through the streets of London...
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#tattoo #flash #history #darkart #apprentice

Flash page 9 - PLAGUE. Feeling the medieval vibes, taking it back to a magical time when the rattling of dead-carts echoed through the streets of London...
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#tattoo #flash #history #darkart #apprentice

Turns out learning to tattoo is a process, and it involves learning a lot of skills on the way... Today I was asked to attempt a realistic rose design on fake skin, as realism will be an important style to master as part of becoming a professional tattoo artist.

I've already learned a huge amount from the incredible artists at @soulandshadetattoostudio and while it's a bit daunting being around people who can make magic happen on a daily basis and take it all in stride, I feel like I couldn't be in better hands on this journey.

My first proper attempt at realism is just that - an attempt. There's a lot wrong with the piece, ranging from issues with contrast to smooth blending, some stemming from improper technique and some from impatience, but I can see the issues here... Feel free to drop me a comment or DM with any helpful advice too, I'm always keen to learn more.

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#tattoo #realism #apprentice #bradford #rose

Turns out learning to tattoo is a process, and it involves learning a lot of skills on the way... Today I was asked to attempt a realistic rose design on fake skin, as realism will be an important style to master as part of becoming a professional tattoo artist.

I've already learned a huge amount from the incredible artists at @soulandshadetattoostudio and while it's a bit daunting being around people who can make magic happen on a daily basis and take it all in stride, I feel like I couldn't be in better hands on this journey.

My first proper attempt at realism is just that - an attempt. There's a lot wrong with the piece, ranging from issues with contrast to smooth blending, some stemming from improper technique and some from impatience, but I can see the issues here... Feel free to drop me a comment or DM with any helpful advice too, I'm always keen to learn more.

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#tattoo #realism #apprentice #bradford #rose

Flash page P8 - BEAUTY. Just some stuff to do with pretty but deadly things...
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#tattoo #flash #apprentice #darkart #horror

Flash page P8 - BEAUTY. Just some stuff to do with pretty but deadly things...
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#tattoo #flash #apprentice #darkart #horror

Flash page P7 - CLASSIC. Good old retro bits, formative part of my youth.
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#tattoo #flash #apprentice #retro

Flash page P7 - CLASSIC. Good old retro bits, formative part of my youth.
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#tattoo #flash #apprentice #retro

Tattoo flash P6 - NORSE. Mostly because I had a Viking podcast on, but I also like to research the meanings behind folklore and historical artefacts, hence the walrus tusks, dragon/knot brooch, and Christian symbology.
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#tattoo #flash #newschool #viking #norse

Tattoo flash P6 - NORSE. Mostly because I had a Viking podcast on, but I also like to research the meanings behind folklore and historical artefacts, hence the walrus tusks, dragon/knot brooch, and Christian symbology.
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#tattoo #flash #newschool #viking #norse

Tattoo flash P5 Give me the CREEPS
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#tattoo #flash #newschool #traditional #blackandgrey

Tattoo flash P5 Give me the CREEPS
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#tattoo #flash #newschool #traditional #blackandgrey

Tattoo flash P4 - FORTUNE. Have you ever heard of the oni who held up the torii gate? Maybe I dreamt it. Either way, I hope you enjoy today's flash page.
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#tattoo #flash #japanese #newschool #shinto

Tattoo flash P4 - FORTUNE. Have you ever heard of the oni who held up the torii gate? Maybe I dreamt it. Either way, I hope you enjoy today's flash page.
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#tattoo #flash #japanese #newschool #shinto

Tattoo flash P3 - SHARP. Things that hurt, especially if you're stupid.
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#tattoo #portfolio #apprentice #flash #attenborough

Tattoo flash P3 - SHARP. Things that hurt, especially if you're stupid.
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#tattoo #portfolio #apprentice #flash #attenborough

Tattoo flash P2 - FROG. Some of my favourite ways to draw frogs, tattoo flash in my style.
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#tattoo #portfolio #apprentice #flash #wednesday

Tattoo flash P2 - FROG. Some of my favourite ways to draw frogs, tattoo flash in my style.
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#tattoo #portfolio #apprentice #flash #wednesday

Tattoo flash P1 - GLASS. Fun little selection of potion bottles, crystal and esoteric glassware... Follow for line work and colour variations x
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#tattoo #portfolio #apprentice #flash #traditionaltattoo

Tattoo flash P1 - GLASS. Fun little selection of potion bottles, crystal and esoteric glassware... Follow for line work and colour variations x
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#tattoo #portfolio #apprentice #flash #traditionaltattoo

Exhibition

Exhibition

Ptooey

Ptooey

Djinn

Djinn

Tugga

Tugga

Beelz

Beelz

Inca

Inca

Ogre

Ogre

Knee banger

Knee banger

Buggy

Buggy

Nouveau

Nouveau

Tothill

Tothill

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Frog

Frog

Eagle

Eagle

Lovecraftian

Lovecraftian

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