If you enter a tattoo shop, try not to be impressed by the flash that is found on the wall. Such illustrations are always bought from the other artists and it is not the work of your chosen artist. To tell you honestly, any person with the experience may trace the illustrations’ outlines easily and may fill it up with colors. It is suggested to try to look at the book with the photo collection of the work of the artist. You may go over to the counter and ask for one. If ever nothing is available, it is best to walk out of the shop at once. It is just basic that the artist should have a portfolio sample to show to prospective tattoo clients as the designs will be illustrated on your skin on a permanent basis.
When you check their portfolio, you may like to bear in mind a few items. Check if any pieces of photos are familiar to you whether they are in a flash book or on the wall. If there is, examine how the design is depicted in tattoo format. Inspect also if the lines are clean and well-defined, whether they are straight when in fact they should not be or maybe if they are blurred or shaky. Check also the borders if they are done uniformly in terms of width and also the colors if they appear to be true as it is.
Scan through the list of people in the book as this may indicate on the shop’s clients in addition to the feel of ambiance of the shop. Check if there is a good combination of men and women in the book or if they bear any specific style or genre.
Bear in mind that any person may stencil an illustration’s outline onto your skin. Such artistry skill comes together in the color usage, the shading, and other restrained items that will set apart the artist from a simple tattoo artist.
If you see any portfolio items that are not in the flash, these are what is called the customary pieces that the artists did and this is their pride and glory. If you see more than one artist that is working in the tattoo shop and you prefer to see some desired photos, ensure to search for which artist really performed the work.
