A Beginner’s Guide to Drawing Traditional Tattoos — Certified Tattoo Studios (2024)

So you want to be a tattoo artist, huh? You’ve come to the right place. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about how to draw traditional tattoos. From the basics of line work to shading and coloring, we’ve got you covered. So grab a pencil and some paper and let’s get started!

The Basics of Line Work

One of the most important things to know when drawing a traditional tattoo is how to do line work. This is the foundation upon which the rest of the tattoo will be built, so it’s important to get it right. Here are a few tips:

- Use a light touch when starting out. You can always go back and darken the lines later.

- Keep your lines clean and crisp. This will make the tattoo look more professional.

- Use a consistent pressure throughout the tattoo. This will make the lines look even and avoid any mistakes.

- Take your time. Rushing will only result in mistakes. Relax and take your time to get it right.

The Base Color

Once you’ve got the line work down, it’s time to add some color. The first step is to choose a base color. This will be the color that fills in the large areas of the tattoo. It’s important to choose a color that compliments the skin tone of your client so that the tattoo looks natural. Once you’ve chosen a base color, it’s time to apply it to the skin. Here are a few tips:

- Use thin layers of color so that it doesn’t cake up on the skin.

- Apply the color evenly so that there are no streaks or lines.

- Allow each layer of color to dry completely before adding another layer on top. This will prevent any smudging or bleeding of colors.

Shading and Coloring

The last step in drawing a traditional tattoo is shading and coloring. This is where you really bring the tattoo to life and give it that 3D effect. Here are a few tips:

- Use light strokes for shading so that you don’t overdo it.

- Build up the shading gradually by adding more layers until you get the desired effect.

- Choose colors that complement each other so that they blend well together.

Wrap up!

Traditional tattoos are all about line work, base colors, shading, and coloring. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a traditional tattoo artist!