I’m in something of the same boat as you my man. I’m a Fine Arts major at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), and my entire purpose of being there is to learn enough drawing and painting skills to become a tattoo artist.

From my own research (done mostly by speaking with the man who does my tattoos, Troy Coe of Lambadi City, who is, pound for pound, one of the best tattoo artists in the city), what you need to do to become a professional tattoo artist is to get apprenticed to someone who’s already a professional artist.

According to Troy, every artist does apprenticeship differently. Some take you on as basically menial labor, basically being the shop bitch, and pays you minimum wage. Others will charge you thousands of dollars to sit under their learning tree and learn the trade. Or anything in between.

That’s the reason you’re having trouble finding an answers–because every shop and every artist has a different opinion on how an apprenticeship works.

From what Troy tells me, a degree in art helps because it shows you’ve had some classical training, and therefore the artist will have to spend less time showing you how to draw. But a portfolio is almost a universal must. If you’ve done tattoos or piercing (which obviously you haven’t), you need a portfolio to show you’re competent, but if you haven’t, you need a strong portfolio of your best work to show, again, you have the skills to create.

What I would do, if I were in your position, is go out to your local shops and investigate them, find out which ones have a good reputation for cleanliness, professionalism, and making great art, show up with a strong portfolio, and ask if they have any artists interested in apprenticing anyone, and see where it rolls from there.

Hey good luck my man.

And, seriously, tits or GTFO!

Sorry. I meant “tats” not “tits”. We need pics man!

Love. Peace. Metallica.