Hi there

[echoes]

Hi there guys and please forgive me for writing in English, my German is still kind of weak for writing ...
I am moving to Germany in July and wondered how can I learn how to tattoo,
I will live in Kiel in the beginning and than probably move to Berlin.
I know that in many places in the world there are some courses or schools for learning the technics, how is it going in Germany ? any kind of information will be really helpfull,
thank you all for taking time to read my post, please help me to achieve my dream, it means a lot for me

[holisch]

I guess it's not that different than in any other part in the world... Take an apprenticeship, go through the whole bunch of shit as anyone else too and don't scratch on valuable surface when you are not capable of doing things...

Living this dream doesn't mean to think you can do it just because of it. It needs alot of patience and dedication. Rip your ass off and stay humble all the way through. Never stop learning and take advice from people that are better but willing to share their insides with you... Finding those type of people is most likely the hardest part without paying a fortune.

And for sure they will not wait for you singing up for a one week powercourse program.

[echoes]

thanks for your kind answer.
so you think that for finding an apprentice I shouldnt make a course before ? wouldnt it be a better chance if I will make sort of a course before ?

I guess it's not that different than in any other part in the world... Take an apprenticeship, go through the whole bunch of shit as anyone else too and don't scratch on valuable surface when you are not capable of doing things...

Living this dream doesn't mean to think you can do it just because of it. It needs alot of patience and dedication. Rip your ass off and stay humble all the way through. Never stop learning and take advice from people that are better but willing to share their insides with you... Finding those type of people is most likely the hardest part without paying a fortune.

And for sure they will not wait for you singing up for a one week powercourse program.

[neo]

Apart from what holish wrote, courses are more or less always rip-off. Good reputable studios don't offer courses, simple as that, and they wouln't take you as an apprentice if you started with one of those courses, they have a reputation for being held and producing what is called "scratchers" in Germany-meaning untrained, unskilled, irresponsible wanna-be tattooers. You wouldn't learn how to be a dentist during a weekend, and it takes at least three years to learn the basics, if- and only if- you have a lot of artistic talent. But you should also consider the legal aspects.
Visa, work permit, health insurance, language, everything else related to being a foreigner in Germany.
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/
This board offers a lot of useful information.
Without the language it will be very hard to find work, especially in Berlin, not to speak of the difficulties in finding an apprenticeship without language barriere.
Unless your German is good enough to communicate and your artistic skills are extraordinary it'll pretty much stay a dream.
And you wouldn't want to get sued for bodily injury if you start without the artistic and technical skills you'd need to work on a pro-level.

[echoes]

thanks a lot for your answer,
as it comes to permits I have a German passport so I will be legal, and probably improve my German language abilities when I am there.
I have no hurry for finding someone to take me as an apprentice, but you saved me a lot of money with what you said about those courses. I found couple of people here in I srael which teach the technics and they said that the courses are for 2-3 months, but I didnt feel so good there. I understood before that the learning process should be much much much longer.
about artistic talent. I am painting a and drawing a bit. I would say that I am good with my hands. but maybe it is better to improve my drawing technics before thinking further. Copying ability wouldnt be just enough, ah ?! I mean, I can make all kind of sketches of tattoos and to get lines out of pictures easily, do I have to have a portfolio before I am thinking of getting forward ?
I have much of dedication and the best ability to learn and to be patient specially when it comes to things I like. I would really like to find someone and be his servent for years to understand everything behind the scenes..
how did you learn if I may ask ? what were the conditions for you to find someone to be his/her apprentice ???
thanks for your time
I really appreciate it.

Apart from what holish wrote, courses are more or less always rip-off. Good reputable studios don't offer courses, simple as that, and they wouln't take you as an apprentice if you started with one of those courses, they have a reputation for creating what is called "scratchers" in Germany-meaning untrained, unskilled, irresponsible wanna-be tattooers. You wouldn't learn how to be a dentist during a weekend, and it takes at least three years to learn the basics, if- and only if- you have a lot of artistic talent. But you should also consider the legal aspects.
Visa, work permit, health insurance, language, everything else related to being a foreigner in Germany.
http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/
This board offers a lot of useful information.
Without the language it will be very hard to find work, especially in Berlin, not to speak of the difficulties in finding an apprenticeship without language barriere.
Unless your German is good enough to communicate and your artistic skills are extraordinary it'll pretty much stay a dream.
And you wouldn't want to get sued for bodily injury if you start without the artistic and technical skills you'd need to work on a pro-level.

[neo]

Being able to draw (not only copying but custom designs) is mandatory, and there are very few studios left which only work from flashbooks. Customers want custom designs. The competition is very good, so most artists want to see a portfolio that shows some developement over the years. Learning to draw is not part of the apprenticeship, you'd have to show you already can draw.
The standards are very high. If you are able to get an apprenticeship you just earn peanuts, so you have to have a second job to earn a living.
From what I know (and from what you can read on Toytown) expats have a hard time with the German love of discipline, and discipline and hard work is especially expected if you are an apprentice. Even some very talented people just don't make it.
There is a drawing section on this board.
http://www.tattooscout.de/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,44/page,viewforum/f,19/
Feel free to post some drawings there and get some feedback.
There are a lot of things you should take into account if you are moving to Germany and trying to live here. Some things are just very different, and maybe you'd want to read up on culture shock and the possible symptoms. Or just dig into Toytown.

I don't know if it is of any help to you, but maybe you would like to take a look at the drawings in the Pro-flash-section http://www.tattooscout.de/component/opt ... orum/f,35/. or the drawings on my website.
It might give you an impression of what is expected.

I was lucky to find a good mentor who was willing to teach me. Most tattooers are not due to bad experiences. A lot of people are interested in being a tattooer, mostly because they have some weird ideas about the job, and almost 90% of theapplicants overestimate their drawing abilities, because mom and dad were so enthusiastic. As a result, most shop managers are not very inclined to even take a look at portfolios or teach at all. Because in most cases it is just a waste of time and money. So don't be disappointed if you are confronted with this attitude. All the jerks spoilt it for the rare talents.

If your German is up to it you might also want to read this
http://www.tattooscout.de/component/opt ... c/t,20139/
or this
http://www.tattooscout.de/component/opt ... ic/t,4482/

[echoes]

Hi there, and thanks again for showing interest of helping with your answer.
I read the article as I understood about 80% of it with my weak German, I understood the heart and soul of it.. as it comes to drawing, my drawing abilities are not that good as others on this forum, as I am learning to draw these days, never did it before and I am pretty good but not as good as others, I still have a lot to learn and I am enjoying the way of it with my teacher.. as it comes to
Germany, I lived with a German girlfriend for 4 years so I am very familiar with the mentality and I love the discipline and order, this is one of the main reasons I am moving to Germany.. anyway, I will continue with my drawings and improve my technics and language skills, what need to be will be, and I have a good feeling about it...
thanks a lot for your time mate, I saw your work, it is amazing, and hopefully I can visit you in your studio to get inked once !
peace
H

Being able to draw (not only copying but custom designs) is mandatory, and there are very few studios left which only work from flashbooks. Customers want custom designs. The competition is very good, so most artists want to see a portfolio that shows some developement over the years. Learning to draw is not part of the apprenticeship, you'd have to show you already can draw.
The standards are very high. If you are able to get an apprenticeship you just earn peanuts, so you have to have a second job to earn a living.
From what I know (and from what you can read on Toytown) expats have a hard time with the German love of discipline, and discipline and hard work is especially expected if you are an apprentice. Even some very talented people just don't make it.
There is a drawing section on this board.
http://www.tattooscout.de/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,44/page,viewforum/f,19/
Feel free to post some drawings there and get some feedback.
There are a lot of things you should take into account if you are moving to Germany and trying to live here. Some things are just very different, and maybe you'd want to read up on culture shock and the possible symptoms. Or just dig into Toytown.

I don't know if it is of any help to you, but maybe you would like to take a look at the drawings in the Pro-flash-section http://www.tattooscout.de/component/opt ... orum/f,35/. or the drawings on my website.
It might give you an impression of what is expected.

I was lucky to find a good mentor who was willing to teach me. Most tattooers are not due to bad experiences. A lot of people are interested in being a tattooer, mostly because they have some weird ideas about the job, and almost 90% of theapplicants overestimate their drawing abilities, because mom and dad were so enthusiastic. As a result, most shop managers are not very inclined to even take a look at portfolios or teach at all. Because in most cases it is just a waste of time and money. So don't be disappointed if you are confronted with this attitude. All the jerks spoilt it for the rare talents.

If your German is up to it you might also want to read this
http://www.tattooscout.de/component/opt ... c/t,20139/
or this
http://www.tattooscout.de/component/opt ... ic/t,4482/