APPRENTICE TATTOOS #17 | Tattoo Critiques | Pony Lawson

[@PonyLawson]

For a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode, submit your hi-res photos to [e-mail] - be sure to include your name and whether you are the artist or the collector in the subject line! Become a MEMBER of this channel to get exclusive perks including EARLY ACCESS to upcoming episodes!: www.KZbin.com/PonyLawson/join This channel is powered by Mad Rabbit tattoo aftercare - use code PONY20 to get 20% OFF at www.madrabbit.com

[@CapturedByKen]

That’s wild that a 4 month apprentice did that amazing gramophone man while a 2 year apprentice did that Zelda sword

[@MB-vk8cv]

1st tattoo for 4 months looks like a promising artist.

[@AbyssWatch3r]

def know how to draw

[@Tattoosbyprescott]

Hey thanks for the critiques man, i appreciate u putting me in the video and I agree with everything u said about my Fink. Cant wait to keep getting better and grow as an artist🤘

[@_bewitchedbyyaz]

Prescott!!!!!! I was so excited to see your tattoo there!!

[@muddymom]

I thought your Fink was really cute, despite his challenges. I think you're going to be a great artist!

[@VeteranE-4]

That first tat was really nice, not perfect but that artist has a bright future

[@haileyhampton-conrad6957]

I kind of see the concept for the 8 hour skull & it could've been cool had the drawing not been as busy and the lines weren't the way they were

[@Agamemnon2]

I have to agree. I can't speak for the tattooing skill, but the composition is so busy they were really making things harder on themselves

[@Neenerella333]

​@@Agamemnon2 Composition, perspective, anatomy. Basic drawing.

[@missmud2053]

It has 7fingers

[@jazzwilliams7040]

I feel like there was part of a coverup, am I crazy?! The middle of the top rose, can make out ‘the universal S’ chilling there - center of the rose is the rightmost part of the S. Maybe that has part of the technique for setting up the rose, but it looks more to me like some of the choices made in the tattoo were coverup related. Same with the blackout right half, def something behind there / going into the right edge of the skull.

[@Susirajantakaa]

@@missmud2053 8 fingers

[@kaizoaudio1798]

That spider by Trevor is so good. I’d be happy to have something like that.

[@KeieiH]

I loved your critique of the Master Sword the most. I love the concept of the design. Maybe one day they can revisit it and make it better. ❤ I feel like I can see the vision, but just wasn't executed in the way it should be.

[@NoReverse77]

Me looking at the thumbnail. "How many fingers does that hand have holding the skull". I’m know I’m not high right now.

[@kittyclawzzzzz]

i did the same thing, i think its meant to be like 2 hands but i cant find the thumbs

[@blarfroer8066]

"right now"

[@claytonberg721]

perhaps you need to be high to understand it?

[@nanamoo2008]

Deff not high lol I can see 8 fingers holding the skull

[@nanamoo2008]

​@@claytonberg721or the guy who did the tattoo was higher than balls

[@Annikasfaith]

I'm not a tattoo artist but I love watching your videos; you have a voice like chamomile tea man.

[@chatterati]

tattoo content that you can chill in bed, and fall asleep, to. And 100% in the best way 💤

[@lizabethmoore5953]

Jesus....yeah Trevor for the win. I love the tarantula tatt. It's 🔥

[@xxzenn01xx9]

You know, pony is so good, and so busy, i wonder if he has ever had any apprentices of his own? If so, i would love to see some of their work too!

[@danielcarter94]

Pony is very respectful with his criticism, imo.

[@xxzenn01xx9]

@@danielcarter94 yeah agreed! Did you mean to reply to me? Not sure how your reply and my comment are related?

[@danielcarter94]

@@xxzenn01xx9 nah, don’t mean to reply to you! Sorry! 😂😂

[@toyboytats]

thank you so much for your critique!!! i’ll take all of this into account for future tats ❤️❤️

[@wastingjam4133]

I loved it just the way it is.

[@toyboytats]

@@wastingjam4133 thank you!! definitely getting more confident with my outlines though so it’s really good feedback

[@patty_rish]

I think theyre leaving the lines out cause from an art stand point. We’re told that lines dont exist in realism. Because we dont have outlines in real life. Thats just my first thought to explain why.

[@luciacastille]

i think you're right but it's still a flaw. it's possible to incorporate an outline in realism in any medium, including traditional art

[@tadlambert7121]

biggest thing i keep seeing in these, a bunch of tangents and cutting off limbs. In storyboarding, we make it a rule to never cut off a joint because it reads weird and I feel alot of artist should keep that in mind in my opinion.

[@martinwinther6013]

That gramaphone guy tattoo. Its freakin genious!! The not-outline outline of the shirt and speakerpart. Its just dense dots that ends, bu somehow they represent a sharp outline that havnt been outlined

[@rhegafd]

Dude that rooster at the end...WOW.

[@DrownedPirate]

I really appreciate how you critique. I'm an artist, and I'm interested in pursuing tattooing, but I'm all the way down at the starting line as far as familiarity with tattooing as a medium. I feel like listening to this gave me a better understanding

[@lizjoe21750]

That blue and gray dagger... I mean "sword"... Looks like a seventh grade book cover doodle.

[@ploopyfudgewink9207]

It’d be interesting to have a video/series on the progression of artists (or apprentices) you know and kinda breaking down a few tattoos along their journey. If it’s a series maybe start w your progression? Idk just an idea inspired by some of the comments i’ve read.

[@michaeltoddharris3424]

So confused too, why 7 fingers??

[@azzcoopz3270]

There’s 8 fingers if you look closely, probably meant to be two hands but you can’t see the thumbs

[@erics2091]

Maybe it was supposed to be a bug legs, like a centipede? Or like a Venus fly trap eating the skull? Just confusing.

[@lucys.artchat]

I THINK it may be being held in two hands. Probably a thoughtless copy of a random reference

[@Susirajantakaa]

If you look closer you find 8 fingers. 4 on top and 4 on bottom. A bit difficult to spot but look for the nail shapes

[@mokko759]

What fingers? They are clearly bent sausages that somebody put the ends into a pencil sharpener.

[@IOSARBX]

Pony Lawson, This made me laugh so hard, thanks for sharing!

[@j.r.r.toking]

In reference to the David Rodriguez submission - I think you a correct in assuming there were several line passes. That being said, he indicated it took 8 hours. I think maybe he is also using the wrong tool when it comes to packing the black. Maybe using a tiny round shader or sorts instead of a mag for such large areas. Hard to tell in the photo but I can see areas of line movement within the black.

[@TheOneCleanHippy]

TWO YEARS for that Zelda master sword?? Jesus that dude needs to quit tattooing and just try something else.

[@billelliott7531]

Another great critique, Pony. Lots of good advice. Also, I'm enjoying using the Mad Rabbit products.

[@SirGibsonOfMel]

Seriously… who is watching Pony’s videos and not leaving a like? Scourge of humanity

[@kelsoutdoors]

GREAT video. And congrats Trevor! Awesome work brother keep it up!!

[@Diamond_Squid]

Really like the first tattoo; I dunno why but i have always liked those kind of designs. But also...I'm not sure if its intended to be based off of anything but like where are the feet? Shoes wouldn't have been too bad to include right? Good criticisms for it too, the linework for the 'head' was definitely the weak point for me but honestly the lack of lines for the shoulder is actually something i like for the design itself and I'm really not sure why. It does make it look a bit inconsistent at times tho, and I am unsure how time will impact it so it would likely be best to give it proper linework as you said. I'd be very happy to have that honestly, and especially for only 4 months edit: ok that master sword kinda hurt. I have seen that design before and a couple tattoos of versions of it and they all look amazing. But this one was..yea. The artists own design was solid and holds parts to set it a part from other interpretations of the same design but yeaaaa. I can't really add anything that hasn't already been said.

[@gregkral4467]

7:30 would look really cool if the spaces between the lines were coloured like stained glass. That would look cool as a stained glass effect.....

[@brvdyy]

Zelda Master Sword artist should look into another occupation. Sometimes it just isn’t the right fit

[@Corpsman01]

I thought it was a great try but you’re right. Keep drawing I suppose.

[@STARPHASE]

Damn. 8 hours for that? That's...unfortunate. I had that Hermes tattoo in your last collectors video, and that took about 7 hours if you exclude the breaks during the session.

[@sprinkleddonuts6094]

That ratfink looks pretty good imo, looks almost Rob Zombie’esque

[@hot1nk]

Love tattoo critiques!! Thanks for the video

[@toddginther3769]

That 8 hr skull....man!

[@abstractfate6104]

Have you Done a realism specific tattoo review video yet? I’m fixing to get one, would love to see the attention of detail you have on them

[@margauxnodvin7478]

I’d love that too!

[@anandaananda7298]

Your Videos are really interesting to mr ... I'm on the way to have a cover up and I want to make sure it will be a good one, so I learned a lot from you about what to look at when chosing the design and the artist doing it. Thank you

[@maggiefoster6295]

Advice to go back to the beginning seems harsh but it is very important. It is a really good way to learn the essentials. It is too easy to get carried away and push the boundaries too hard. It's not actually being a beginner to start over, it is moving yourself towards greater competence.

[@angelvigilante82]

first month for 4 months was awesome... let that person grow.

[@gerrip6498]

The Zelda Master Sword is from Tears of the Kingdom. It is a decayed Master Sword. Not to give too much away from the game, but you end up with a complete Master Sword.

[@TheHeartandFist]

That doesn't take away from the tattoo looking like complete s**t lol.

[@chloec_314]

12:43 why does the wrench look so pointy and the car engine looks weird too 😭

[@barbaraengineer8397]

Yyeeeeess! Saw this pop up and I'm not moving until I watch it!😊

[@papaprig]

I have a tat of a cat skull done by an apprentice. This a very nice tat, but omg she took forever. I sat in the chair for 10 hours for a 2 hour tat. She was so slow.

[@StevenSmeeth]

Just wondering how you're back tattoo is going??

[@jimmyrayne5425]

That master sword looks like he did it with no stencil just did it freehand

[@Magnum_Wolf]

That's what I was thinking

[@Saknika]

I don't know what caused these to be in my suggested feed, but I'm glad to see them. Gonna keep them in my back pocket because I have so many people who tell me I should get into tattooing when I'm applying henna designs, and they just don't believe me that henna and tattooing are two different beasts; so perhaps if they see these videos they can understand better, too. Maybe. LOL

[@ambuhbliss]

for some reason I really like how the skull and fingers look... if only this tattoo was done better and easier to read ;u;

[@teresacollins7763]

You have a great speaking voice Pony!

[@mahocorona6644]

Pony, I love your sweater! Was it Limited Edition or where can I get one?

[@matthewdrummond1340]

10:29 Is there an extra finger on the bottom?

[@carlsoll]

I’m kinda bummed to see a *master sword* look so bad :O *subscribed*

[@GaughanGirl77]

Omg that rockadoodle tattoo at the end!!! 💜💜💜🎉🎉🎉💜💜💜

[@LivingInTragedy]

Why does that wrench have a circular ending how is it going to grip to anything 😭😭😭

[@scottbartlett2087]

They do make wrenches with closed ends (box end wrench) , they also make wrenches nearly closed for brake line fittings etc.

[@Beefboyo]

What camera do you use to record? Super crisp!

[@Primobozo1226]

Having apprenticed at a popular tattoo shop on Broadway in Gary Indiana in the 90s my entire experience was disappointing. Absolutely zero teaching. All I actually did was clean, answer the phone and setup artist stations. I learned nothing and wasn't there long. Which made me wonder,, since there's way more people interested in becoming a tattooist than there is actual positions available, why wouldn't several of established artists collaborate on opening school's where individuals could go and be taught properly. Without being taken advantage of. I think it would help the industry way more than the way it's going now. In my case, after a very poor and painful experience and not being able to get in anywhere else, I quit trying and started doing tattoos at home. I don't recommend this to anyone, but this is how it happens more than not. KZbin tutorials are nice and critique videos are enjoyable but actual artists who care and have the experience to teach could come together and teach classes that will only benefit the industry. I even believe that it would be financially beneficial to the teaching artist who could do it.

[@phaseart805]

The issue is, any tattooer worth learning from is too busy tattooing to have the time to open and operate a “school”. Most of their passions lie in drawing and tattooing, not teaching. Also, most tattooers don’t want lots of new tattooers entering the industry, which is why any reputable shop will usually only have one apprentice, if that. This is why it’s recommended that people take their time and be very selective about where they decide to apprentice. Additionally, anyone who doesn’t want to clean, answer phones, and set up and break down stations will likely not receive any teaching because that’s the first step of any apprenticeship.

[@theKashConnoisseur]

@@phaseart805 Crazy how my apprenticeships in the medical field had me working with patients and care providers directly to build my skills and competency, and yet in the tattoo industry they just relegate interns to be receptionists and cleaners.

[@omizzylizardi1124]

Pony is too dope, great words of encouragement. Though, I wouldn’t wear that master sword if they paid me.

[@TheConfusedWumbologist]

I honestly don't mind the thumbnail tattoo. It's a fun, weird, lady finger, centipede, melting, skull thing... I don't know what it is, but I could definitely see someone that's into horror punk or heavy metal sporting it. Sometimes chaos is good, maybe that's just me.... Maybe it's Maybelline 🤔

[@stillnotstill]

Except for the fingers I kinda really love it. With the fingers I definitely don't mind it. Not my style for what I'd put on my body but cool to look at

[@wastingjam4133]

The gramophone headed dude is actually amazing.

[@wilmofosho]

I thought the skull thing from david was kinda cool design but needed a little refining

[@rikedankeberlin]

If you google melting skull tattoo you find a design that is pretty similar to the skull in the tattoo here..

[@jamescanjuggle]

yeah i felt pony went a bit far on the critique for the melting skull, tbh i like how everything looks chaotic almost like a sketched emtpy mosaic. And the skull imo is clearly there i do get what he was saying about the nose though and for sure the lines, but to say hey maybe tattooing isnt the career for you was a step in the wrong direction

[@mickeyamore96]

Great concept but poorly executed. It’s a shit tattoo

[@sarahstalcup9621]

Honestly the first one looks pretty nice. Maybe the artist can come back to it and touch it up with a few more tricks in their belt.

[@chasphotography]

You should do a video on over edited photos of tattoos. Because some of the pictures you critique don't look like they look when the photo was taken and they damn sure don't look like a tattoo in the skin. #keepitreal

[@aztro.99]

u critique so critically, great stuff :)

[@Sabine_Kienast]

Clodin_93's work is so nice and cool , I really like that! 🙂👌

[@DuckyUp1]

If i payed you to paint or tattoo a shoe, would you be able to do it and how much money would you be willing to be paid per pair of shoes you customize?

[@leonardoafariasm]

@Marc Brunet are you two related?

[@unbotheredent]

How Can Isend You My Work?

[@allye9865]

There are 7 fingers holding that skull?

[@the1silentgirl]

I thought it was 8 one on the right under the eye socket on the curve ?

[@viincreations]

Almost every shop near me has artists that tattoo like that one who did the Zelda master sword 😂😂

[@erics2091]

7:17 Is that 7 human fingers or bugs legs? Maybe a Venus fly trap? Very busy, hard to read.

[@kodywalker3063]

"David David David" Holy moly 😳

[@Devin127]

Nah the master sword and skull artists need to explain themselves, there's just no way

[@mokko759]

I would be furious if I ended up with that Master Sword tattoo. It's clearly freehanded in some rando basement and it is sloppy AF. And there is no reason whatsoever for that to happen. It's an extremely common image, it's found everywhere in the official artwork from the game, the artist could have made the most easily acquired stencil ever.

[@skaughtmc6591]

I can’t recall Rat Fink ever messing with a V6…

[@beentheredonethat5908]

I am working on becoming a far better tattoo artist. I have been doing work for many years, never steady , always one or two a year at most , exceot for my early years which have been to far behind me for me to feel that im reasy to go straight back in. My major issue is i cant draw well. I can work a stencil, i can pack and shade images very well, i just struggle making my ken designs and that had always held me back. I feel a proper artist should be able to draw, people always tell me its nit as important anymore with computers and transfer paper, and i understands what they mean, but i have an issue with it. So currently im learning to draw and learning how to design negative images, which what i want to do. Each of us are different , i can grab a machine and do a tattoo at anytime if i have a stencil , and i know so many that are the exact opposite of me, they can draw , but they lose it when they use the machine, all i can say is fund what your great at, then what your weak at , and waot until they can come together. I have taught several people to tattoo, and all are doing great and a couple have their own shops now. I honestly feel im lacking in the artistic area of tattooing, i have my strong suits though, i can take a stencil or image and bring it to life , makw a flat image pop off the skin and look like its layered on , especially fire and elements. I just dont get why i struggle so much with drawing , my kids are great artists, they draw and paint like pros , and have since they were small, yet here i am struggling with every single thing i try to draw. I wont work as a tattoo art until i can break that barrier that stops me from drawing whats in my head , when i actually have something in there. I would love skme advice an tips. My family says i block myself , i fear doing my own thing, but i honestly dont, i see someones art and i can bring it to life, add to it, whatever, hut i just dont have the drive to do my own for some reason, and i feel a tattoo artist NEEDS that, so im still learning and witing lol

[@milkdenier3023]

Why did i like the skull tattoo tho

[@ZeeCapp]

Am I the only one who thinks the melting skull is cool 😂 the flowers aren’t great but the style and darkeness looks cool to me and I’d get something similar for sure

[@Ffs00911]

not trying to hate but if your level in tattooing is that bad (master sword) why would you send it in??? ...

[@mcgoo721]

Idk how i feel about rat fink on a v6

[@Peaceful_Zen_Life]

What advice would you give your 17-year-old niece about tattoos? She already has a stick and poke smiley face and I don’t want her to get a bunch of low quality tattoos?

[@theKashConnoisseur]

It's not up to you to dictate how someone else expresses their personal aesthetic. I have friends that are covered with "low quality" stick and pokes who absolutely adore their tattoos and only want more in that same style. If your niece is happy with her tattoo, that's the only thing that matters. As far as advice goes, I would just stick with "try not to get any face or hand tattoos until you're REALLY sure about your career path".

[@Peaceful_Zen_Life]

@@theKashConnoisseur first I have to say that is extremely different with what you think of a friends tattoo versus your niece. I don’t want to controller her, I just want to do my part to help her to get that tattoo that reflect who she is. My personal issue is that I’ve seen a number of beautiful women, and my niece is beautiful, that have a bunch of tattoos that end up making her look ugly to me. And I know this will be offensive to you and I don’t in that way. There are many tattoos out there that are absolutely gorgeous and they make somebody look even more beautiful!

[@theKashConnoisseur]

​@@Peaceful_Zen_Life The thing is, only your niece knows who she truly is. She is the only one who gets to decide that. Instead of trying to control her behavior regarding her tattoo choices, you might try to find out if she's happy with her tattoo. If she isn't, that's where you have some opportunity to influence. Here's an idea: Offer to pay for her next tattoo, with a well known artist doing a design of your niece's choice, at a clean and reputable shop. If she's just doing stick-and-poke because it's cheap and accessible, then guiding her towards professionals and offering to pay for it should do the trick.

[@Peaceful_Zen_Life]

@@theKashConnoisseur I 100% agree with you that she is the one that knows who she is the most and who she wants to be. OK so I’m a gamer so I have an analogy I want to use. Think of her as somebody that has never played video games and has become interested in it and has played one game so far. She doesn’t know what kind of gamer she wants to play or what kind of game she likes. And I’ve been a gamer since 1980 so I can help her find the games that she wants to play that are fun for her and I would be using my knowledge to do so but not to control, only to inform and guide. And I know you’re gonna say guide is control it’s not. It depends on how you do it if you only give one option that’s control, but if you give multiple options it is not. I think the stick and poke might’ve been a drunken party/curiosity thing though I haven’t asked her about the story behind it, yet. It’s relatively new and I just learned about it. She has told me before she definitely wants to get a tattoo when she’s 18. Which I have nothing against. I personally don’t have any tattoos. It’s something I’ve always pondered about and researched but I just change my mind too much to be able to do it. Additionally I don’t like things on my skin and I think that something underneath my skin would be very uncomfortable for me. I don’t wear any jewelry of any kind, ever. I did have a few piercings. But that was many many years ago. Stick and poke tattoos can look amazing. That is certainly unique personality to them. I don’t know what kind of tattoos she ultimately wants or if she wants a mixed bag of tattoos. I see her during family holidays and the next time I should probably have a little conversation with her about it figure out where she’s at and if I can help somehow.

[@jacksonlovett9035]

Do these people know about procreate's symmetry tool?

[@Zebra_Cakes]

I checked out Joel’s tattoos on his IG page and someone needs to stop this guy from tattooing. It really doesn’t look like a hygienic environment and the guy clearly has NO concept of art worked out at all.

[@KenNeumeister]

respect.

[@JesusLightsYourPath]

Me with no knowledge on tattoos: Okay that one looks alright. KZbinr: That looks terrible 😮…

[@lomainzz]

Tat at 8 mins is sick

[@BuildTheSandbox]

Yea it needs to see the dr

[@thomaschoma8914]

Yo, that Majora's Mask tat is fucking sick.

[@paulam.foreman4413]

6 fingers on the skull ( all black) 😂😂😂😂

[@DirtyDee123]

The first one is decent, besides the webbed thumb.

[@LolaAyatollah]

Would love to see pony review the Ariel de Jesus tik tok blind fold tattoos , it’s so bad and someone needs to give her some true constructive criticism. Bc she doing some wild stuff on folks for a low price but real bad stuff 😬

[@boblee8069]

The left sude of the skull is so muddy and confusing

[@aisforannihilation1662]

Yeah

[@dougmcauliffe9321]

6 fingers as well

[@annabethsmith-kingsley2079]

the drawing of that sword is so bad. 4:00. just from the flower up: there's no symmetry...

[@Neenerella333]

While the medium requires all practice Pony is indicating, the wild lack of drawing skills is confusing to me. Before EVER getting to skin, the drawing on paper should be solid.

[@adambeecham8511]

Pony Lawson the man who did micro tattoos thinking they’ll hold up in years to come 😂

[@Scotland_the_Brave1984_McCabe]

Some people think because they are a brill artists with pencil they can just pick up a machine.doesnt work like that..thats like getting an electrician to fix your plumbing. That sword,i feel bad for the guy..im just learning but il never bite of something i cant chew.But i agree, i think he needs to get a new shop,as hes prob used as a dogs body and only allowed to ink his pals.

[@Ghost-304]

That skull fingers tattoo is crazy , it don’t make any sense with all them fingers trying to hold skull with flowers. It’s just as bad as the Zelda Sword . But keep practicing it Can’t get any worse

[@Gyaradosage]

The master sword tattoo is really rough from a basic design standpoint, as someone who does digital art and is a huge LOZ fan. It’s supposed to be the Decayed Master Sword from TOTK (which is why the blade is so short and disfigured), but those Silent Princess flowers should be bright blue instead of red. The leaves are all different types, the Triforce is off center, the hilt is the wrong color, and so is the wrapping on the hilt. Most of the details are just… wrong. Nobody gets this kind of tattoo because they’re a casual fan. I hope the person getting that tattoo chose the design because otherwise he totally botched it for no reason. It’s one of the most recognizable images from the entire game. Ten seconds of googling would have saved 40% of that tattoo.

[@KevinGarcia-pv3lr]

I don’t know how some of you are only seeing 7 fingers on that skull tattoo. It’s clearly 8 and the thumbs of the two hands would be behind the skull.

[@Ghost-304]

100 % that Zelda sword and that lettering was done by the same people. Imo no way 2year apprentice did that Zelda sword . Like Pony said it looks like it was done at someone house, also it looks like meth pipe in pic on table lmao

[@IllaMarsie]

Low key like the seven finger tattoo

[@jtaylor9880]

My sympathies to the person who got the skull and flowers tattoo. 8 hours in a chair for that brings back bad memories...