You’ve got a good start. I was where you are not so long ago. I agree that classic art classes are super important. You’ve got to be able to draw up whatever anyone wants no matter what it is. Most times it isn’t even that cool of an idea. Practice drawing script. It seems like every other customer these days wants stuff written on them no matter how hard you try to talk them into a well thought out image that portrays what they want. Focus on line work. A good line drawing can stand on it’s own without color or shading. Use varying linework. Learn watercolor. That is the single most useful medium for me in terms of learning how to clor and shade as if it were a tattoo. I use liquid acrylics. They’re cheaper than watercolor, come in tons of different colors and can be applied the same way. Just be sure to work from dark to light. For more info on how to land an apprenticeship, I wrote a thread that sort of outlines the right things to do here –
http://www.thetattooforum.com/tattoo-want-learn-t19040.html
Hope this helps. It is a ton of work. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Tattooing as a job is so unbelievably cool. I absolutely love it.
