EXPLORE THE CRAFT.

Learning / 23.10.2026

From tattoo idea to design brief: questions worth asking

Turn an idea into a tattoo design brief: subject, references, placement and expectations, with an example to practise before drawing.

Learning / 22.10.2026

Tattoo lettering: how to give a word shape and rhythm

Explore tattoo lettering through shape, rhythm and spacing, with exercises for developing your own word compositions.

Learning / 02.11.2026

Geometric tattoos: build rhythm without forgetting the body

Learn to read pattern, symmetry and composition in real geometric tattoos, with researched references and a practical drawing exercise for beginners.

Learning / 01.11.2026

Tattoo studio lighting: choose a lamp for more than its brightness

Learn what to check in a workstation lamp: light output, colour rendering, shadows and mounting, with buying questions and a practical check on paper.

Learning / 29.10.2026

Dotwork tattoos: look beyond the dots to understand the shading

Understand dotwork shading, its relationship with blackwork and geometry, and what to study in real tattoo photographs. A paper exercise turns those observations into drawing practice.

News / 28.10.2026

Eiteljorg brings together ten voices in Indigenous tattooing for a new exhibition

The Indianapolis exhibition invites readers to explore the artists and the contexts of their work before focusing on the design alone.

Learning / 28.10.2026

Before drawing another flash piece, take a closer look at a mug

An observational drawing exercise to study proportion, look more carefully and bring a sharper question back to your tattoo designs.

Learning / 27.10.2026

Tattoo machine history: from Edison to Samuel O’Reilly

Follow the connection between Edison’s electric pen and O’Reilly’s tattoo machine through their patents and their different purposes.

Learning / 25.10.2026

Tattoo stencil printers: check paper and connections before buying

Before choosing a tattoo stencil printer, check paper, device and connection. A practical guide to the purchase and first test.

Learning / 24.10.2026

Maud Wagner, tattoo artist: the story beyond the portrait

Meet Maud Wagner beyond the portrait: her profession, historical sources and the questions a photograph cannot answer.

Learning / 19.10.2026

Tattoo apprenticeship portfolio: what to include and how to arrange it

Build a tattoo apprenticeship portfolio: select your drawings, show your process and arrange the pages before approaching a studio.

Learning / 18.10.2026

Neo traditional tattoos: how to recognise the style

Explore neo traditional tattoos, their relationship with traditional work, and what to look for in line, colour and composition.

Learning / 18.10.2026

How to photograph tattoos with your phone without altering the result

Photograph tattoos with your phone: organise the light, check reflections and framing, and keep colour faithful without altering the work.

Learning / 18.10.2026

How to make your first tattoo flash sheet with a clear idea

Design your first tattoo flash sheet with a shared idea, thumbnails, selection and a layout that makes the whole page work.

Learning / 18.10.2026

Tattoo drawing references: how to learn without copying

Organise tattoo drawing references without copying: distinguish observation, studies and original design, and keep authorship and sources.

Learning / 15.10.2026

How to choose a tattoo machine: making sense of the specifications

Compare tattoo machines by exact model, stroke, power and compatibility, with practical questions for reading a specification sheet.