As someone recently searching for a tattoo artist for the first time, I really like when it was obvious that the artist had a style preference. Most places have tattoo pictures that are all over the place in terms of style/quality and it made it hard to judge if I liked them or not. I also like being able to predict if the artist would enjoy the idea I have or if I'm way off from what they do. I ended up finding one specific tattoo that I love, looking at the rest of that artist's portfolio, and reading the reviews of his shop. It all seemed good, so that's who I went with. Wish me luck!

I’ve been tattooing for about 3 years starting as a walk in artist. People ask what my style is and they’re always shocked, put off, or confused when I tell them I don’t have a specific style. I’m still trying to figure it out and it takes time to hone in on a style and that I don’t need to specialize in infinity signs to do a good job.

I started tattooing focused only on black and gray photorealism. 9 years later and I ended up doing black work, dot work, geometric and I love it. Learning these new styles made tattooing fun again after it got over saturated with pocket watches and crowned lion portraits

I feel attacked! Ha! Great video bro. Me only doing lettering, one big disadvantage is not getting return clients as often. No one wants a bodysuit of just lettering. LoL. #StillLetteringForLife I still liked your video! Much love from Cali!

I kinda love the bit of chaotic energy in this video lmao. Good to see you, James!

I really want to be a tattoo artist, I wanted to be one when I was little, but I had talked myself out of it because I thought it wouldnt be realistic. But now that I'm older and have tattoos, I really want to become one. I've been drawing almost every night, trying to build up a portfolio to show the tattoo place I go to to see if they would want to take me in as an apprentice

Yo, person from the EU here who's in the middle of a colour sleeve. According to my tattooer, the new rules are a pain in the ass for them but what they're doing is they're using the "banned" types of inks they still have - companies still sell the old stock until they're all out. It's labelled as "artistic paint, not for tattooing" but everyone knows what's up. Some artists just print a scanned label of the new type of ink and put it on the old, "illegal" bottle. The consensus seems to be "fuck that, I'm not throwing all this ink out, I'll wait for it to run out and *then* I'll buy the colour from the new, legal stock". So no worries, we're good, it's just a massive pain in the ass for tattooers. They don't really give a fuck, they'll just switch to the new colours that are already being made when the old bottle is empty. My tattooer is only worried about not being able to find the exact same shade in the new lineup - he says that it might be an issue if something runs out in the middle of a tattoo because the labels are completely different and he can't tell based on the sample colours on the website how exactly it's going to look on the skin and whether it's going to match. All in all it's a pain but we seem to be dealing with it, it's not like we lost access to most colours, thank fuck. My current sleeve is like 70% "forbidden" colours so I'd be in deep shit if we ran out lol.

You always post a video just when I need something to cheer me up or need a good distraction. :)

Can you do a tattoo tour of your tattoos?

Listening to this like Im going to ever tattoo haha, pretty interesting though!

I literally needed this kind of video Thank you so much 🙏

I really love your videos and your approach on the subjects you propose :) Thanks for your content and time !

Your videos always address problems that I think about but don't have others to talk to about. Your video on "talent" was life-changing. So much has changed about I do things since finding your channel 3 months ago. Thank you! Can you please make a video on how you worked your way up to charging the rate that you do, that shift in mindset regarding valuing yourself as an artist, and how you handled pushback on your rate or other problems/worries?

It's been a while!!! I've been waiting for your video for a very long time.. finally you upload again sir. 💯💯🙌

Specializing is great if you’re filling a niche or establishing yourself, but I feel like most tattoo artists, ESPECIALLY starting out, should be able to do multiple styles. Not all, realistically, but a few. I loved coloring on paper and hated pen and ink hatching. After I started tattooing, I realized that I don’t like doing color tattoos as much as I like blackwork stippling tattoos. I also like fine line, detailed and ornate pieces more than I thought. Exploring those styles helped me figure out what I liked to do and was capable to do. I think that any artist should be able to do 3/4 styles, especially if they’re similar. It keeps options open for clients and allows an artist to grow and keep things interesting. Even if an artist does wind up specializing, I think its useful to have at least some versatility so that they don’t pigeonhole themselves into a corner.

Welcome back homie. We missed your videos. Hope you are well!

The more versatile you are with styles. The more clients and money you get. I’m an aspiring hairstylist and I want to specialize in everything. It’s going to be difficult journey but I’m driven determined passionate and persistent.

Great vid James. I got my main man doing black and grey realism and different people for the fun stuff. I never need to explain what I want to my main artist. It's a beautiful thing! Peace out.

I just got my first tattoo from a specific artist with a distinct POV. I personally preferred it that way mainly for one of the points you provided, I knew what I was getting! I wasn’t worried I wouldn’t like the piece bc the artist made things I preferred. I’m can be, but I felt that I let the artist do their thing while I gave them a simple motif and they were amazing at collabing last minute details that made it personal. I want to collect pieces of art from different tattooist as one would have art made by diff artist at home. Sorry this was long winded but I had this inner monologue before getting tattooed for my personal preferences, though I feel like everyone is justified! Loved the video. OG Gilbert resident living in NY :)

I'd guess it would become easier to transition from one style to another, as you get more experience. As a lot of artists go through periods where their style focus shifts and changes, I'd assume it would be easier to get a grip on the technicalities and efficient at them, as you get more experience. I always suggest to artists to try and blend styles when they see themselves wanting to try something new. It'll move the artform forward something really good and different might come out of it

You can say the same for other art/artists too. I do photography as a hobby. Landscapes are what I'm best at but cars & aircraft I like doing too.

Now artist not only specialize in a style, but now they specialize in specific subjects. Example phil garcia color roses, chronik ink geishas, samantha smith,

I think it depends on a few things. If you are a "walk in" artist then I think you need to be able to do a lot of different styles. I personally would go to someone who specializes in what I'm looking for. I feel you're going to end up with better piece that way. On the other hand If you have a subject that might not be the artists specialty but you want it in their style you might get something really cool too.

Love you're video's so nice 😊🙂😇

@james withee thanks for this video. You really explained the client’s side really well for me! So I’m assuming you’re all booked up until further notice if I interpreted your last video correctly?

Hey I don’t know if you’ve made this video before but I’d love to see a video on tips for tattooing darker complexions. I would really appreciate your advice. I live in Utah and the access to this knowledge is low due to Utah being predominantly white. - A soon to be tattoo apprentice

Would love to hear your thoughts about micro realism. I love the look of it but I have concerns about ageing. As you said, we can't really tell what they'll look like yet, but I'd love to hear more about what you think

What age did you start drawing/taking art seriously?

Love your content am a tattoo client that goes to one tattoo artist

It seems like a lot of the more experienced tattooers are open to all styles and the newer generation of tattooers stick to one style because it’s comfortable

Do with in your means branch out set real expectations for your own skill set… you gotta get out of the comfort zone at times. (This is what I got out of this perspective content) thank you

Nice video

Specialized in one thing bc to many artist lie about what they are actually capable of doing & the person is unhappy bc they trusted their artist. It’s a money grab at most walk in shops & frankly they just don’t give a shit if you like it or not then you are simply the problem & not the work itself.

Do tattoo artists expect tips after tattooing? I can definitely understand tipping your tattoo artist if they are the person who deals with all the walk in clients who get flash pieces throughout the day. or whatever. I am more curious about high end tattoo artists who are charging upwards of $250-$300+ an hour. Are that sort of high end tattoo artist expecting a tip after being paid like $5000+ after completing a sleeve for example?

My tattoo artists specialize in American Traditional, but they can do a variety of different styles.

One or two styles anything extra is on the artists in question

The reason the government is starting to regulate tattoo inks is because the toxic heavy metals in the ingredients. For example white ink has a tone of (titanium dioxide) cancer causing. That’s why you started seeing more taking it out in the cosmetics industry. Check out all the options for titanium free deodorant’s.

what about asian tattoo?

Fake sneeze you must be A positive

I think I need to come get a tattoo from you. I'm not far from you here in Arizona.