I agree with Mario (again) but I'm trying to ignore most of the back-and-forth boring shit about encouraging beginners like it was some kindergarten project and just say:
Price is dictated by demand.
That's it. If people want your stuff they will pay whatever you ask. Regardless of quality.
But you did lay out your work before some of the best in the world (I don't mean me, btw) and expect it to be well received. Even after you declared it your first attempt. Sell something when you've learned to do it properly, not the first few clunky attempts.
I went to art school and worked as a professional designer/illustrator/etc for almost a decade. I don't think it helped my tattooing too much.
I learned how to take a brief from a client as a professional. I learned a bit of art history at university. Those were plus points.
For me the worst influence art school has on potential tattooers is the sense of entitlement that it fosters.
Art school 'kids' are taught that they have a special vision or gift. Taught that hey have a duty to broadcast their vision to the world and the world should think itself lucky to feel the rays of brilliance from a living genius.
Tattooing and drawing tattoo designs teaches you (if you are lucky) that you are the current incarnation of an artistic lineage and that you are borrowing everything, attempting to take care of it for a while, to pass it on to a later generation. It also teaches you humility and the value of hard work, in spades.
If smiling.politely had wanted advice, they would have asked how to improve the drawing before painting it. Instead they chose to seek acceptance and a confirmation of the 'special vision' probably with the hope of an offer of a tattoo apprenticeship.
Genuinely, I wish you good luck with all those things but if you expect people to pay you money for something, it better be the best you can do. Especially in a saturated market. Be that tattoo style 'art' or whatever you choose to pursue.
Reading his responses I was almost compelled to send him an 'customer service 101' primer. here's a tip:
Eat the shit sandwich.
"Andy, I'm so sorry this has taken so long and I'd be happy to refund you and even send you a machine on me to make up for your terrible experience."
Then refund.
Then ship the comp'd machine.
KISS A LITTLE ASS.
There are tons of people making machines; you have options out the ass when you're buying a new one. So when someone has a bad experience... hustle. Kiss that ass. Make it right.
People never learn.
Good luck with the refund, Duder.
Hey guys,
My name is Baldur,and i work @ Kingdom Within Collective
in Reykjavik,Iceland
I started this account a while back,but never got any further than that..
now i am gonna try to check in,and take some part in this,and hope i will have something to offer :)
I put some pics on my profile,please take a moment to check them out and comment.
Baldur Smarason got a reaction from gougetheeyes in Hello from Iceland..! :)