Abellve

I like my Battle Royales with a sprinkling of Jeff Zuck

This is not intended to be learned outside of an apprenticeship. Are there a few exceptions? Sure but they are rarities and not part of the conversation. That's what makes them exceptions. Everybody points out the one in a million as if it applies to them.
Tattooing is learned through an apprenticeship for a few reasons. There is no other/better way to learn the subtleties and necessities of our business/art/craft/way of living. So much of what you need to know, the vast and overwhelming majority, cannot be learned on a forum, in a stack of books or...gasp...even in a course lasting a few weeks. Hell, I've known people who were actually decent at the tattooing part but still had no business being in the industry -- because there's more to it than that. Just like (since weak comparisons abound) being able to cook doesn't make you a restauranteur. So much of it is about shop conduct, problem solving, decision making and intangible attributes unique to tattooing.
Another reason to pass through an apprenticeship is...because we say so. That's how it is designed to work. Who gets to determine the fate and direction of a trade if not the established tradesmen? It's not like wanting to do it is reason enough to be handed a shot. We don't need it to work for eveyone, it works for the craft. We've earned this and whether or not it seems fair to outsiders, part of that is earning our right to remain in it with our heads up by protecting it, often from those who don't respect it. People who are granted legit apprenticeships with qualified individuals are supposed to be few and far between and we reserve the right to be hostile to intruders in this house we've had a hand in building.
Chances are if you are being turned down for an apprenticeship, there *is* a reason. Skill, attitude, locale, maybe you (the collective, nonspecific "you") are just a bad fit. If you feel these don't aplly, keep trying...in the way prescribed by the existing legitimate industry, but remember keep your standards hish and keep in mind -- It is the job of established tattooers (and I don't meant stars) to police the growth and protect this thing that is sacred to us, not to provide a "right" way in for everyone who wants to do this.
...and I'm amazed at all the people who will move across the country to study for a career in some other field, even study abroad but when it comes to tattooing, stall out at their city's border, throw their hands up and say, "I've asked everyone in town for an apprenticeship, time to buy some pigskins."
@Ursula: It's not better or more important than other trades, just unique in its history and challenges. You can look around and see the result of a bloated industry being struck with bad legislation, bad press and hacks determining the viability, appearance and tattooing's outcome due to sheer volume. I genuinely believe everyone or almost everyone here respects what you and so many others do in your/their respective line of work -- speaking for myself, I do.

It was so insane watching a bunch of tattooers talking about contracts and rules.
I hope their agents and managers approved.
Tattooists. Contracts. Agents.
Just saying.

Royboy didn't sign no damn contracts.

Yeah, don't be a scratcher. Don't be everything that established tattooers who care about their industry hate and expect to be treated like a welcome guest. Our job is to do good work and protect our craft, not pass on bits of information and make you feel welcome or applaud you for having the courage to openly be a hack.

66 Triumph Trophy

66 Triumph Trophy

Here's one I did tonight based on an Amund Dietzel eagle head.

Here's some food I did on a chef. To hear her talk about food...you know she is in love with what she does. I did a morel mushroom on her too but don't have a pic on this device. I can't contribute any of my own as surprisingly I don't have any tattoo tattoos.

66 Triumph Trophy

well. i did not get my touchups. but i did get a new tattoo which did involve a tear-out:

My pug. Winston. Riding the red rocket. Which was really hilarious. Until I got a call 3/4 of the way through the tattoo that my mother passed away. Shout out to my pal Ollie for working like lightning to finish the tattoo before my ride showed up to go see my family. So some more to add to the arguement that a tattoo is more than just a silly picture on your skin. It's not just about "what" the tattoo is of or the "why"...but the "where" and "when" and "who" of the experience is of equal importance. A colourful timestamp for this lifetime. And now I'm left with a lot of sorrow to deal with, a good laugh and a great tattoo. Laughter is the best medicine. And my Mom really loved my idiot pug. But I think my next tattoo will be little more serious and carry a lot more weight. Peace.

Hey, it's not brilliant, but not bad enough to go into the 'worst tattoos ever' thread either, I'd say ;-) I'm sure someone on here will be able to help you find fantastic tattooers in Spain (are you willing to travel anywhere within Spain? If not you might want to be a bit more precise...) and then it's probably best to go and see someone in person to get a professional opinion.
Good luck and welcome!

I'm getting really tired of the conversations that start with "Oh I like your arm... even though I'm not really into tattoos... [going into a long discussion of why they don't want my tattoos]"
Honestly if you aren't into tattoos why do you feel the need to talk to me about them?
That and the "I'd get a tattoo but I'm afraid of needles..."
le sigh....

I have no respect for anyone that likes apples. Those are snacks that second graders eat. I mean, you don't even have to peel an apple. Where's the skill in that? Seriously, explain to me why I should like apples!

Nope, you're ignorant because you're saying traditional takes no talent to create, and you're stupid because you're trashing a vast array of incredibly talented artists. Just because you don't like it, doesn't mean it's shit. Trashing an entire style, and talking shit on work that artists have put their heart and souls into developing, for generations, is downright insulting to the art and culture of tattooing.

he could always make his own

Word in one of the Rotary forums is that John is handling it...... ;)

nice attempt at advertising.....

Phew. Thank fuck I chose a dagger through a skull with an eagle on top last week.
Now I don't feel like such a cock.

Haha you went there
So aside from the fact that you just insulted about 80% of LST's membership with that post, you should probably learn a little about the style you're bashing before you make such sweeping generalizations.
It's fine if you don't like traditional tattooing and it's fine to feel like every tattoo needs to be a custom masterpiece, but I cannot emphasize how dumb it makes you look when you come to a forum with no sense of who it is you're interacting with and why people here like what they like. There are hundreds of pages describing the history and innovation behind traditional tattooing, it might have been a good idea to read through the forum a bit before posting.
Also, just fyi, there are handfuls of traditional tattooers who can draw circles around portrait artists and vice versa. Style and skill have little to do with each other.

Here's one I did tonight based on an Amund Dietzel eagle head.

Here's one I did tonight based on an Amund Dietzel eagle head.

I haven't posted in a while but here's one I did a few months ago.

I haven't posted in a while but here's one I did a few months ago.

Here's one I did tonight based on an Amund Dietzel eagle head.