| The difference between a flat outlined tattoo and | | | | This rapid needle movement allows a shaded area |
| a top notch, 3-dimensional piece of skin art lies in | | | | of a tattoo design to be filled with ink quickly and |
| the shading skill of the tattoo artist. | | | | evenly. |
| A skilled tattooist knows how to use outline and | | | | Tattoo Tip #3 - Mix the tattoo ink. |
| shading to create a life-like work of art on the | | | | Tattoo shading uses ink in shades from light to |
| skin of the client. The best tattoo artists know | | | | dark. Lighter shades of ink, often referred to as a |
| how to choose the correct tools for the job, | | | | wash, can be created by mixing ink and sterile |
| including a tattoo machine and the right needles | | | | water. The more water that you add, the lighter |
| and ink. | | | | the wash. One of the more useful tattoo tips for |
| They are able to find the perfect design for each | | | | shading from tattoo artists is to create washes |
| client and position it perfectly on the body. | | | | ahead of time in the exact shades that will be |
| Finally, they know how to use the tattoo machine | | | | required for a shaded tattoo. This eliminates the |
| like an artist uses a paintbrush to create a work | | | | need for stopping and mixing ink while the tattoo |
| of art. | | | | is being applied. |
| The best way to learn the fine art of tattoo | | | | Tattoo Tip #4 - Use the tattoo gun like a |
| shading is from a seasoned professional tattoo | | | | paintbrush. |
| artist. As an apprentice to an experienced | | | | A group of needles called shaders is used to fill in |
| tattooist, you'll be given tattoo tips that will help | | | | the outlined tattoo design with shading. Shader |
| you gain the skills to create a 3-dimensional tattoo | | | | needles come in many shapes and groupings. |
| image that seems to come alive on the skin. | | | | Knowing when to use each type of shader is one |
| Here are 4 tattoo tips for beginners who want to | | | | of the more valuable tattoo tips to be learned in |
| learn the secrets of top notch realistic tattooing. | | | | an apprenticeship. |
| Tattoo Tip #1 - Choose a design that's suitable | | | | Realistic tattoo shading is created by tilting the |
| for shading. | | | | needles on the tattoo skin and using the tattoo |
| Some tattoo designs are more suitable than for | | | | gun like a paintbrush. |
| shading than others. Portraits of people and | | | | Most tattooists first cover the skin with a thin |
| images of animals, flowers and skulls are good | | | | layer of lubricant to ease the needles smoothly |
| subject for shading, as are fantasy creatures like | | | | across the area being shaded. For dark shading, |
| dragons. The design should have some larger | | | | the tattoo gun is moved slowly across the skin |
| rounded elements that can be filled in with | | | | and the ink is injected deeply. For lighter areas, |
| graduated color to create the illusion of depth and | | | | the gun is move quickly and ink is injected less |
| shadows. Look through tattoo magazines and | | | | deeply. |
| study designs that show the effective use of | | | | As soon as a small area of the design has been |
| shading. Soon you'll get a feel for which designs | | | | injected with ink for shading, the tattoo artist |
| can be shaded and which are not suitable. | | | | wipes off the excess ink with a clean cloth. The |
| Tattoo Tip #2 - Use a tattoo machine. | | | | finished effect can then be viewed and the tattoo |
| One of the most important tattoo tips for top | | | | artist can decide if more ink is needed. |
| notch tattooing is to use a tattoo machine, also | | | | If a darker effect is wanted, more ink is applied. |
| referred to as a tattoo gun. A skilled tattoo artist | | | | Making a dark area lighter is more of a problem, |
| wouldn't dream of attempting to apply a shaded | | | | since the dark ink has been permanently injected |
| tattoo design without a tattoo machine. The | | | | into the skin. This is why a skilled tattoo artist |
| tattoo machine uses a group of needles to | | | | works carefully to make sure no area of shading |
| automatically inject ink at the correct depth in the | | | | is too dark. Some tattoo artists use white ink to |
| skin. The machine is connected to an electric | | | | lighten dark areas of a tattoo and to smooth out |
| motor that rapidly moves the needles up and | | | | transitions between different shades of ink. |
| down at a rate of 80 to 150 times per second. | | | | |