Apprentice Portfolio / Tattoo Artist Portfolio / Tips and Advice

[@markalan5547]

I recently started my apprenticeship at a shop a few months ago. Im surrounded by a few great tattoo artists. I love your videos. If it wasn't for great people like you atrists like myself wouldn't have a better chance to succeed. Thank you.

[@anaiahk4507]

How’s your career going now? Are you doing it full-time?

[@ashleyadamsky3043]

I'm looking into an apprenticeship, this video is so helpful. Thank you so much!

[@nitajane8616]

Did you get one?

[@eriko5975]

any update?

[@taylorkiefer410]

Eyo, any luck?

[@sigridaa3052]

Any updates?

[@Deeegenerate]

I'd love to know too- hope you're doing what you love mate

[@sariusmonk]

I would love to see a video where you talk about your beginnings, your artistic journey, how you started with art and what influenced you etc... - i know your early stuff was briefly mentioned here, but I would love to see more and hear your thoughts on it and what it meant at that point in your life etc..

[@MM-bm3uj]

You're so respectful, helpful and pleasant, I wish other tattooists were like you but they're so cocky, rude and disgusting. Thank you for the video! Love your work!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

theres many great and humble artists . just not allot of them compare to some of the negativity in this industry. hopefully I can inspire some other artists to be more chill and respectful too

[@ELY3M]

I agree 100% about some tattooists. they will not get any of my business at all.

[@lauraflores7632]

my name is Cindy Minx from San Antonio, TX. I've watched every video Anrijs has posted and his videos have made me a better artist. BIG IDOL in my life!!! thank you!

[@nelandroide]

same! :D

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

Thankyou so much !!!!! keep the hard work !

[@livinghigh1310]

this is my first video from this guy, but you said it made you better... see what I can learn. had to subscribe!!

[@dicksoutforharambe9547]

Thank you for helping out smaller artists. You are great artist and a kind person Anrjs.

[@duncankent1330]

You need to get out more if this is your inspiration

[@HWacko93]

I just want to say that everything there looked amazing.

[@Mizzimickiamii]

You made me feel SOOOOO MUCH better about my portfolio. Thank you so much!

[@brandonm4319]

My dream is to be a tattoo artist, this is by far the most informative video I've seen about getting an apprenticeship. Thank you!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

Thankyou so much! and good luck with the journey!

[@haleytetroe9827]

Thank you! I've been waiting to see an apprenticeship portfolio example like this!

[@viniv20]

lol funn,y i think it's very weird that people dont know what a portfolio is. It's just a bundle of your work, for an artist pictures of his paintings or actuall drawings. For a photographer its a bundle of his photos he made. For a sculptor or any other visual artist it's pictures of their work. I mean how hard can it be ... I think that a person who wants to tattoo and doesn't know what a portfolio is, is deffnitly not ready to start an apprenticeship

[@haleytetroe9827]

viniv20 Sorry, I should have elaborated on what I meant. What I meant was, I was happy that a professional (well known and respected) tattoo artist was describing what they would be looking for in a good example of a portfolio. I'm not an idiot, I know what a portfolio is, I've made many. I've been working on my tattoo portfolio for 5 years, and have restarted three times because I didn't like how it turned out. I've read a lot of back and forth about whether or not too show all your best work, regardless of variation of style or showing a few of your best pieces within a style and then having like 10 separated groups of style. That's what I meant, but thanks for the concern.

[@gayandtransandproud]

well its one thing know what a portfolio is but seeing examples from a proffesional working tattoo artist is very helpful

[@duncankent1330]

@@viniv20 my thoughts too and five years to work on a portfolio she just clueless

[@lexdraws1729]

@@duncankent1330 She Literally explained she knows what it is and what she meant

[@Cronoro]

I'm so thankful for these videos. Thank you for showing us how you've improved and for sharing your knowledge!

[@StefanSvane]

Really helpful 👍, I'm already working as a tattoo apprentice, but none of of my coworkers mentioned it was a good idea to still have a portfolio that looks 100% clean. I like the way how you presented everything and explained what works and what doesn't. Always huge help from your videos 🙏

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

hey. thanks ! that's awesome that you are apprentice already ! good luck in the journey !

[@sisoy2946]

He looks like Chester Bennington or am I crazy? xd

[@needtherapyprobably4472]

Cathering Meh 😱😱😱 you're right

[@camkmi4258]

Yeah I always though he does

[@misssammyb6478]

does a bit

[@cassvcrt.5480]

Yes!!!

[@genericchannel126]

cath meh RIP CHESTER

[@veggiemuncher7987]

I love your style so much and I loved how you could see how much your work matured during the years

[@nuadi2959]

Probably the best most concise video I have seen on what a good portfolio should look like. Thank you so much for this information!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

Thank you for checking it out and a comment. Glad to hear it helped. Good luck.

[@nagafagi]

greetings from Spain Anrijs! I want to get an apprenticeship so bad,the only problem about tattoo industry is the ego,i tried once to get an apprenticeship in the local studio and they just laughed and now im insecure about myself,i got a clean portfolio,i dont think my work doesnt worth,ive been tattooing for 3 years now (im 22).I try to improve everyday and do my best..i wish tattooers from now were more like you,just doing what you love and giving advices for people that try hard.Respect your work!!big hug (sorry for the bad english)

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

I know, yes it sucks. I myself was in position like that, and it was really hard for me to for the first few years. That's why I am trying to help others and give some advice. and treat everyone as I would want to be treated myself. Just work so hard , that same '' local studio '' will ask do you want to work for them. but by that time hopefully you will not need that studio anymore ! good luck !

[@aversiteacuerdas]

Where Is Andrei muxa suerte!!!!

[@nagafagi]

lamaxxxula delos90 muchas gracias ))

[@ilyag.1013]

Where Is Andrei i

[@ummtone]

Such a well put together video and such great tips/examples! And of course I must say this, your art is amazing - so unique!

[@SudormrfG]

Thank you Anrijs, i'm tattoo artist from Belgium i work only in guest and convention and your tips are really helpfull as the thing to do a portfolio flat as possible for conventions. I'm tattooer since 3 years but it's only this year that i work more to my style and step by step i search to have the best presentation of what i do, so i search also to improve what i do generally.

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

that's awesome that you are still searching for improvements . that's the most important ! never stop learning ! good luck to you !

[@SudormrfG]

Anrijs Straume Tattoo thank you and i hope we will working at the same convention one day, that can be nice.

[@lullabysorrow5746]

Thank you for being honest and specific , the last video I watched just told me to be myself and nothing else matters.

[@leahxoxmarie903]

This is really helpful. I’m trying to gain an apprenticeship and currently in the process of building a portfolio. So found this extremely helpful, thank you

[@arielreyes8493]

Seriously you are the most genuine person I’ve ever seen, you helped me build my confidence to pursue becoming a tattoo artist. Thank you 🙏💖

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

Thankyou so much! and good luck with the journey !

[@frankwick3989]

Thanks! I'm going to share this with a friend. She wants to apprentice locally. I appreciate your helping us all navigate this field.

[@janainavitoria4460]

Your job is perfect Anrij! I love your tattoos and Monami's!

[@leitolsp]

you are my favorite artist in the world! you work is so awesome! keep the great work! love from Argentina!

[@kazeokz]

Thank you so much

[@nelandroide]

super useful and informative as always! thank you so much Anrijs!

[@ana16zgb]

Out of all tips and advices.. yours helps me the most. Thank you

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

THANKYOU !!!!

[@DeSchwatzWurm]

Clear and concise. You demonstrated what I was going to do for my portfolio. Thank you for your first hand experience and advice. I'm currently putting my portfolio together to use to aquire an apprenticeship later on the year

[@RobertaRSantos]

Amazing. I really apreciate your alternative way, I admire you from your style as much as your art !

[@TwoThreadsAhead]

Oh shit I just found your channel by chance and realized I already follow you on instagram, I absolutely adore your work dude!

[@niamharrisonrose]

This helped me so much! i have an interview for a full time tattooing course and i wanted to put together a fresh portfolio showing the variety and level of skill in my artwork, and i love your style btw its amazing!

[@AndresTorres-xh4ly]

Thanks man great video! I am a beginner artist and these kind of videos help a lot!

[@soul_vicex]

Would you rather see originals or prints inside a portfolio? Also I hear of lot of people ask for a variation in art style, so realism, portraits, landscapes, surreal work ect, different medias like paint, pencil, pastel, chalk etc. How true is this?

[@_Viking]

That's often because the tattoo shop want to widen their styles. You will probably not get an apprenticeship at a shop specializing in American traditional if your style is similar. But you might get better response if you can offer a different style. I think that's the reason in many cases.

[@probablyalex]

@@_Viking I have to disagree, surly a trad artists is more likely to take on an apprentice that wants to get into trad tattooing because that's what they know, thats what they can teach

[@tanyapineda7212]

💗💗💗 great advice, even tho I think your old portfolios are the most fun & the newspapers behind the drawings look great. I can never get rid of old drawings & I think it's a lovely way to create a personal archive. I just bought some new portfolios books today & am working on updating mine. This was very helpful, especially in regards to simplifying 🙏🏼.

[@donedealstudiosllc253]

Portfolio dope, NEWS PAPER BACKGROUND WAS GENIUS

[@lutherjones4368]

Awesome. Thank you for your honesty. Your portfolios are great.

[@sadiosuarez7522]

Ive been tattooing a few years now (without givin it the big 1 im a really good drawer ) my work's improving well but im lazy...this vid is the kick up the arse i need...thank you ♥️

[@maverickkalvig9626]

Thank you so much! I'm putting together a portfolio to be an apprentice, this was SO incredibly helpful! Thank you!!!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

awesome ! good luck !

[@ChloeFrench]

I love how you're filming at bold as brass👌🏼 Great work!

[@edimoser8222]

Hey Anrijs, this is a very inspiring Video! It brought me to overthink and redesign my Portfolio. Thank you!!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

thanks ! good luck with it !

[@roko9569]

thank you for helping new artists with tips !!! ur videos are really helpful !!! :D

[@in-sense3334]

thank you so much !I kept staring at your tattoos they are so beautiful

[@101AMBear]

this helps me understand the portfolio process so much better thank you!!

[@fordmays5578]

Thanks Anrijs, love your work!

[@jamieSK8t]

Thank you for sharing this kind of knowledge, great video, and such a great artwork!

[@Pikachu_Tears]

So helpful I’m making my portfolio currently I really hope over the time I really put together a great portfolio this really helps a lot thank you!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

that's awesome to hear ! good luck to you!

[@alienagenda1024]

one of the most talented tattooist i have ever seen, your work is phenomenal. i learn alot from your videos, thank you so much for the great videos. one day i hope to get some ink from you ..👌👌👍

[@rileyalissa6019]

I'm trying to get my own portfolio started right now, this was very helpful! Thank you☺️

[@arunraheja6264]

Your attitude is really nice and positive and the video is really helpful. Thanks a lot. God Bless You

[@Pow3rOfGod007]

love all ur video man it cover almost everything

[@vialwash]

Super helpful, mate ! So inspiring !! 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@rachelnorman6072]

super helpful! I was unsure how to demonstrate an apprentice portfolio and how different it would be from an art students portfolio. Thanks for the video.

[@ceahnacvon6646]

You're amazing Anrijs! I look up to you so much as an artist, your style is stunning. I am almost done with my portfolio and about to get ready to face shops in hopes of attaining an apprenticeship, I'm super nervous but this has been my dream ever since I can remember. One question I do have is, what is the best way to approach the tattoo artists at the studios/shops? I've read online to of course first research local tattoo artist and to go to the ones who have the style you like and want to learn from which I have done some looking around on IG and found a couple I really like. Many artist might be busy and I don't want to feel like I'm invading their space. Is it okay to call/email them first to establish a connection and then ask them if they would be willing to set up a time to critique my portfolio? Tattoo shops can be very intimidating. Thanks for the advice and info. Peace and prosperity

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

hey. looks like you already thought and know about it. hard for me to give any advice on that, as there is 10000000 studios and each of them work differently . I would personally just go to studios and introduce yourself. Artists and studios gets hundreds of messages all the time. I think- it will be really hard for them to actually book some time off to see your work if they are not looking for any apprentices. but if you already in studio they might give you 5 minutes. and might really like you and possibly think about it. But you can try to message too and see what happens. maybe that's what everyone does now in 2017.

[@almadenning6255]

your one of the very few humble artist

[@BrookeAngelic]

Amazing artwork and video! 🦋

[@julestatzz]

this was really helpful! aspiring to do tattooing as a career!

[@billwilliamson3031]

I live in USA and would like an apprenticeship but I’m 50 years old. I like tattooing but starting over and not getting paid for over a year would be impossible. Anyway I like watching your videos, keep up the good work.

[@9137519]

Hey Anrijs, could you make a video about "how to prepare to my 1st tattoo convention"? Cheers!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

Adrian Wietecha thanks for request , I was thinking to make something about conventions soon . Will try my best, but it might not be that soon.

[@kirson7134]

aah, fellow latvian here,, I've recently thought about wanting to get into the tattoo industry and I'm overall enjoying it, although im not the best at drawing so i have a question. Is it better to start off with traditional drawing, sketching or starting off with digital? I can't put my mind on where to start, the case here is that I'm actually just 13, I'm really into skateboarding and I'm exploring new subcultures that i haven't been familiar with. my art style is more of like an gloomy, unnatural mess, some realism in between?,, although i draw whatever comes up in my mind, it usually turns out terrible so I'm trying to figure out where to start. i don't know how to explain it but yeah, that's that. aah, i hope there's some suggestions or something along those lines :]

[@elena7475]

Very great. Great idea that spiral portfolio for convention !

[@CarlosLopez-et8ng]

Love your channel man. Wondering if you could do a video on lettering and how to advance in it. Thanks again

[@lil._.margaret]

thanks man this is so helpful n nice work on this video too

[@irajean]

I am 20 years old and I am just starting to work on my portfolio and this was really helpful to me! I saw the video and I was so inspired to pursue my art that I went out the next day to buy all the supplies!. I am interested in becoming a tattoo artist! any suggestions and tips for a beginner???

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

that's awesome that you got inspired. I have another video where I talk more about apprenticeship . check that one out, tons of tips there.

[@Anakondaa72]

Thank you! That was really helpful.

[@coolzworldd]

This video helped me believe in myself!!

[@andrehoudelot1011]

Hi ! I want to congratulate you ! Very good instructions! Your designs are awesome! One question: if i have designs with diferent canvas size i have to have diferent size portfolio? Or just adapt each designs to a single size portofolio? Thanks bro

[@matdinkleburg2755]

could you please share what you used (markers, pen, paint) to produce the work in your portfolios? thanks

[@ThePHATJAZZ]

Nice work and thank you for the tips that's awesome 🤘

[@allymonville6491]

Where did you get the giant book from?

[@Kazakhsha-styleUk]

Thank you for making this video, was very helpful

[@AidaBBBBB]

Thanks so much Anrijs.

[@APBGOLF]

At the 3:30 mark what type of marker/paint do you use to get that black fade, I’m drawing on paper and can’t seen to get a smooth fade down

[@martynapogoda9933]

Cool to see Marian Dziędziel on a potfolio! :D

[@mtm4505]

Thank you Anrijs! Verry helpfull :)

[@sumbaman6394]

Awesome talk!! Keep it up! Would u be able to do a video about position to tattoing..and if back and neck pain can become a problem for some tattoo artists a long the years!??? Cheers!

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

just straight back. ther's no magic poses. my back will be broken too in few years. really hard to concentrate on straight sitting , when you are so into art and tattooing.

[@Zophiarox1234]

Super helpful! Thanks for the video 😃👍

[@IrwoL97]

Where did you get your latest portfolio printed? Does the company have a website please?:)

[@eeskii8789]

Interested as well

[@oliviag7489]

Thank you for advice, its very helpful.

[@wasabee8228]

You are like a sensei tattoo artist haha lol much appreciation !

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

Thankyou so much!

[@PataWTF]

hey anrijs, love your work! you are really helping to become a good tattoo artist. could you tell me a bit more about, how you are achieving your great tattoo designs (like shown at 3:16)? are you drawing things like this straight out of your head, or are you looking at a photo reference and then drawing something like this on a empty white paper, or are you simply putting your paper on the photo reference and copy the contours and some details, and then finish it in your style? or are your making sketches first and then the full design? whould be nice if you could answer this question, or make a video about your way to create such a design, thank you

[@heartofcreations1739]

your work looks amazing

[@sethrogensbong]

Senior in high schools just getting into tattooing, should I have my own designs in my portfolio or is reference designs ok ?

[@Shelbyisbored]

I want a tattoo from you omg such great work!!

[@casskeenan]

Awesome work! 👌

[@devLooney]

Very very helpfull. Thanks a lot for the tips

[@Misslindarachel]

Thanks you are very inspiring!

[@ivootje88]

thanks for this video my girlfriend needed this

[@Punkkitten04]

I absolutely love your work and its my dream to get one of your amazing pieces. Too bad I live in Chicago =(

[@mbalinhlapo5577]

I feel motivated thanks man

[@Ale-ht9co]

Where can I get a portfolio lile that? I can't find any good one in the shops near my city , is there anything on amazon? I always find only small ones

[@kibatsuki]

Thank you so much for showing your tips on a good portfolio! I am interested in tattoo art and presenting it well with my other art is ofcourse very important. If you feel inclined, would you mind showing some examples of good flash vs bad flash? How would you advise to learn drawing tattoo designs as tattoo art surely is different in process I can imagine from drawing regular art. Awesome channel, Im subscribe and thank you for sharing your wisdom, it's really inspiring

[@nickobernal9019]

Thank you fir the idea master

[@chelseaopperman]

I will fly to UK next year, dying for a black Swan. If you have an open book, I will come!

[@theprjct2501]

Cheers for the video Anrijs. Really digging the wire binding portfolio with the matte finish. Would You mind sharing where you printed it?

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

i think it was from rapidoprint.co.uk , but I believe any binding company will do the same. quality is not the best for photography, as they are not specialising in that. but you can try .

[@theprjct2501]

Thanks for the quick reply!

[@romanboi10]

I appreciate this channel but just on a side note, I put in a few digital pieces in my portfolio like Anrijs said just to show that I can do other stuff and all tattoo shops I went to said that the digital pieces are not tattoo-able. Like it's worthless to have it in the portfolio. I agree to have some digital art work in the portfolio but these traditional tattoo owners don't like it.

[@Nick-gi7do]

You are lovely and sweet! Thank you so much for the help!

[@ShiNoKuroTsuki]

It may be silly but I learned a lot about tattooing and details by just watching Ink Master haha no but really, they tell you a lot of different aspects that are important as a tattoo artist

[@ripper9112]

Do you have any suggestions on what to focus on while learning to draw, how important is learning anatomy, perspective etc when the goal is to became tattoo artist? Is it importatnt at all? Maybe its enough to know basics like forms, shading, and just draw a lot untill it looks good enough to start to learn tattooing?

[@keontefortune1594]

Howdy! What printing company did you use to print your pieces on your tablet?

[@kamaile6155]

Thank you so much this is so helpful.

[@kankuro5488]

Thank you for the video, bcs i have no idea how to make my portfolio.

[@AnrijsStraumeTattoo]

hey, thanks for watching, glad it was helpful! Good luck with it!