First time using a machine, feedback is more then welcome!


Fast track your progress with the world's premier training program the Artist Accelerator


Dazza

Premium Gold
Joined
25 Jul 2016
Messages
1,756
Media
9
Location
Perth
First Name
Daryl
Gender
Male
Well,it looks exactly like everyone else s first try too ,why did you use a shader to line with ?
 

rip_design

Premium
Joined
16 Jul 2019
Messages
89
Media
6
Location
Israel
First Name
Orr
Gender
Male
Well,it looks exactly like everyone else s first try too ,why did you use a shader to line with ?
I guess that's a good thing? Like, I'm not praticularly horrible? lol
I used a 9RS shader because my mentor suggested me using it, as he says that the higher the neddle count on a liner you go, the more likely you are to cut skin Because more needles are getting through the skin with a pretty low distance between them. A shader spaces out the needles a lil bit more, thus you're still getting thicc lines, but you're also not damagin the skin as much. (If that makes any sense. English isn't my first languge.)
 

Chopper20

Premium Gold
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
585
Location
Eastleigh
First Name
Andy
Gender
Male
It’s good to get going with a machine isn’t it!
I can’t tell if the design is meant to have that sketchy appearance or if they’re meant to clean consistent lines? Either way, I don’t think it does either quite right.

For your first one though I don’t think it matters how it turns out really. It’s more about getting a feel for the machine and your set up etc.

For example, here’s my first ever practice vs the one I’m working on now. I wouldn’t worry too much about your first one ?

7999543F-5F6E-4468-813B-740D80D6AAA5.jpeg949501EA-2903-4AF1-813C-D38ECF0EDAAD.jpeg
 

rip_design

Premium
Joined
16 Jul 2019
Messages
89
Media
6
Location
Israel
First Name
Orr
Gender
Male
It’s good to get going with a machine isn’t it!
I can’t tell if the design is meant to have that sketchy appearance or if they’re meant to clean consistent lines? Either way, I don’t think it does either quite right.

For your first one though I don’t think it matters how it turns out really. It’s more about getting a feel for the machine and your set up etc.

For example, here’s my first ever practice vs the one I’m working on now. I wouldn’t worry too much about your first one ?

View attachment 22197View attachment 22198
It was supposed to be clean lines, I just wasn't ready for the machine to vibrate like a methed up vibrator :|

Yea, I don't mind the fact that it isn't good. As you said I just got the feel of the machine, and that was it. Was just wondering if anyone can spot some beginner issues that are better to sort out early than late, as mistakes grow into habits etc.
 

Parrington21

Premium Plus
Joined
17 Jan 2015
Messages
480
Media
11
Location
Westsussex
First Name
Ben
Gender
Male
It’s good to get going with a machine isn’t it!
I can’t tell if the design is meant to have that sketchy appearance or if they’re meant to clean consistent lines? Either way, I don’t think it does either quite right.

For your first one though I don’t think it matters how it turns out really. It’s more about getting a feel for the machine and your set up etc.

For example, here’s my first ever practice vs the one I’m working on now. I wouldn’t worry too much about your first one ?

View attachment 22197View attachment 22198

I can see any difference in the 2 ????
 

marked 4 life

Premium Gold
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
1,622
Location
U.K.
First Name
A
I guess that's a good thing? Like, I'm not praticularly horrible? lol
I used a 9RS shader because my mentor suggested me using it, as he says that the higher the neddle count on a liner you go, the more likely you are to cut skin Because more needles are getting through the skin with a pretty low distance between them. A shader spaces out the needles a lil bit more, thus you're still getting thicc lines, but you're also not damagin the skin as much. (If that makes any sense. English isn't my first languge.)
Who taught your mentor, how experienced is he/she, there is so much incorrect or half true information out there.

I taught my most recent trainee right from the start to line with coil machines and any liner needle configuration from 1005rl to 1214rl, your mentor should know with correct training you can line with anything, even the edge of a magnum without causing trauma or damage.
 

rip_design

Premium
Joined
16 Jul 2019
Messages
89
Media
6
Location
Israel
First Name
Orr
Gender
Male
Who taught your mentor, how experienced is he/she, there is so much incorrect or half true information out there.

I taught my most recent trainee right from the start to line with coil machines and any liner needle configuration from 1005rl to 1214rl, your mentor should know with correct training you can line with anything, even the edge of a magnum without causing trauma or damage.
He's been tattooing for 4 years now and learnt from a realism artist. I'm thinking of going ahead and changing a mentor tbh, mainly because he got busy and I basically see him once in forever (which means I tattoo reelskin on my desk at home, with no guidance)
 

troub1edsou1z

Premium Gold
Joined
8 Feb 2012
Messages
1,932
Media
49
Location
Pennsylvania
First Name
Tom
Gender
Male
He's been tattooing for 4 years now and learnt from a realism artist. I'm thinking of going ahead and changing a mentor tbh, mainly because he got busy and I basically see him once in forever (which means I tattoo reelskin on my desk at home, with no guidance)
With only 4 yrs experience I don't think he should be taking on any apprentice as he is still green himself. Unless he is that good with only 4 yrs in...And like Andy said, he should have you learning and understanding basics rather than telling you what to do based off his opinions..I for one, like Andy would never have an apprentice using RS to line. Not saying that it can't be done, but that's something you can figure out later doen the road after you've grasped the basics. Another thing is, has this person been taught or are they teaching themself?

I would also have you using a coil machine and tearing it down at the end of each day, and when you get in the next day, first thing you are doing is putting the machine back together and tuning it...Once you've learned and understood the in's and out's of a coil machine, then if you choose to switch to a rotary that's on you....
 

fylfot

Premium Plus
Joined
9 Jun 2012
Messages
1,167
Location
England
First Name
david
It’s good to get going with a machine isn’t it!
I can’t tell if the design is meant to have that sketchy appearance or if they’re meant to clean consistent lines? Either way, I don’t think it does either quite right.

For your first one though I don’t think it matters how it turns out really. It’s more about getting a feel for the machine and your set up etc.

For example, here’s my first ever practice vs the one I’m working on now. I wouldn’t worry too much about your first one ?

View attachment 22197View attachment 22198
I like the shark!
 

marked 4 life

Premium Gold
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
1,622
Location
U.K.
First Name
A
Abandon the shader needle to line with and try a 1207rl instead, once your machine is running correctly you should see a noticeable difference.
 

Dzikichrzan

Premium
Joined
5 Sep 2018
Messages
571
Location
Tunbridge Wells
First Name
Jakub
Gender
Male
@dzikichrzan
It’s good to get going with a machine isn’t it!
I can’t tell if the design is meant to have that sketchy appearance or if they’re meant to clean consistent lines? Either way, I don’t think it does either quite right.

For your first one though I don’t think it matters how it turns out really. It’s more about getting a feel for the machine and your set up etc.

For example, here’s my first ever practice vs the one I’m working on now. I wouldn’t worry too much about your first one ?

View attachment 22197View attachment 22198
whoaaaa man! when did you progress that far ?
 

MalligaMallan

Premium Gold
Joined
17 Dec 2014
Messages
5,687
Media
22
Location
Stockholm
First Name
Malin
Gender
Female
@tattoo.morth.art
Been tattooing every day! But I still wouldn’t try this on human skin. I’d like to be able to get smoother blends and it’s a bit patchy but getting there.

Have you tried on human skin at all? Ever?
 

Girlie666

Premium Gold
Joined
3 Jun 2019
Messages
222
Media
2
Location
Barnsley
First Name
ANGIE
Gender
Female
@Girlie666
It’s good to get going with a machine isn’t it!
I can’t tell if the design is meant to have that sketchy appearance or if they’re meant to clean consistent lines? Either way, I don’t think it does either quite right.

For your first one though I don’t think it matters how it turns out really. It’s more about getting a feel for the machine and your set up etc.

For example, here’s my first ever practice vs the one I’m working on now. I wouldn’t worry too much about your first one ?

View attachment 22197View attachment 22198

Wow!! That portrait is ace!!!!
 

MalligaMallan

Premium Gold
Joined
17 Dec 2014
Messages
5,687
Media
22
Location
Stockholm
First Name
Malin
Gender
Female
@tattoo.morth.art
Yes I’ve done 5 or 6 on human skin now but not realism. Just line work with a little shading and packing.


Aah yeah, sorry, I know you have. It gets a little hard to keep track of who's done what sometimes ?

Then you know it's a little bit like starting all over when going from practice skin to human's ? (NOT saying practice skin is useless, on the contrary!). I agree your shading could be a little smoother, but you're really doing progress ?????? It's Ben Affleck btw, isn't it?
 

Chopper20

Premium Gold
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
585
Location
Eastleigh
First Name
Andy
Gender
Male
Aah yeah, sorry, I know you have. It gets a little hard to keep track of who's done what sometimes ?

Then you know it's a little bit like starting all over when going from practice skin to human's ? (NOT saying practice skin is useless, on the contrary!). I agree your shading could be a little smoother, but you're really doing progress ?????? It's Ben Affleck btw, isn't it?
Thanks Malin, and no worries :) yes I’ve experienced the difference, but I’m not sure yet about the different skin types. I know everyone I’ve tattooed so far seems to have taken the ink slightly differently. Some needed very slightly more hand pressure and one seemed like her skin was quite fragile. Once I’ve smoothed out my shading I was planning to have a go at something on my thigh.

I have no idea who it is :ROFLMAO: I have a mentor who set it as “homework” for me. Here is the reference image:

452802BE-9FBB-4C43-9336-B7528DF3F6E6.jpeg
 

Chopper20

Premium Gold
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
585
Location
Eastleigh
First Name
Andy
Gender
Male
Thanks Malin, and no worries :) yes I’ve experienced the difference, but I’m not sure yet about the different skin types. I know everyone I’ve tattooed so far seems to have taken the ink slightly differently. Some needed very slightly more hand pressure and one seemed like her skin was quite fragile. Once I’ve smoothed out my shading I was planning to have a go at something on my thigh.

I have no idea who it is :ROFLMAO: I have a mentor who set it as “homework” for me. Here is the reference image:

View attachment 22206
Oh yeah also, the shading above his right eye...I can’t get rid of the stencil so it looks like a hard edge when it would be more soft without the stencil there.
 

MalligaMallan

Premium Gold
Joined
17 Dec 2014
Messages
5,687
Media
22
Location
Stockholm
First Name
Malin
Gender
Female
@tattoo.morth.art
Oh yeah also, the shading above his right eye...I can’t get rid of the stencil so it looks like a hard edge when it would be more soft without the stencil there.

Aah okay! On the photo all the shading has a slightly sketchy look though that I don't think is intended, like "lines" going in the same direction all over the shading:
20190910_235937.jpg

I think you could work on that. Either make it look deliberate, or make it go away.

Don't be discouraged now! This practice really is awesome, but we're here to learn, right? ?
 

Chopper20

Premium Gold
Joined
10 Jun 2019
Messages
585
Location
Eastleigh
First Name
Andy
Gender
Male
Aah okay! On the photo all the shading has a slightly sketchy look though that I don't think is intended, like "lines" going in the same direction all over the shading:
View attachment 22207

I think you could work on that. Either make it look deliberate, or make it go away.

Don't be discouraged now! This practice really is awesome, but we're here to learn, right? ?
Yes I had some issues with that :)

When trying to shade an area smoothly with a light grey wash, would you use circles or brush strokes? Or something else? I’m not sure how to cover a larger area without seeing any overlap lines.

And thanks, yes I’m here to learn. Best to learn by making mistakes quickly (not on humans of course). Always up for some advice ??
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account on our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.


Fast track your progress - The complete online tattooing course for beginners


Top