My sister used to be YOUNG… 😉❤️

[Mike Sibley]

...but don’t rely on what they advise, listen what they saying, but don’t learn from them ~ stick to me and other 3 artists only in regards to gather knowledge and correct habits. Slowly I’m getting what Luke is after. He wants to guide me from the very basic skills, like drawing lines, curves etc., to build up my confidence, and step by step taking me further up, to get to another level…

Do you recall in the last "BEGINNER: Stage 2" video that I warned about learning limitations from your teachers? I think that's what Luke's warning you about. Take what you can from everyone around you; bend and adapt it to fit YOUR way of working; and always assume they have a limit to their skills that you can exceed.

He said today to me ~ that I have to learn basics to be good at higher level... He said I can not jump over those basics of understanding what tattoo is to become a good tattooist... he’s doing his best to hold me down, to make me put attention to decent lines, shapes, basic things first. He’s insisting to focus onto UNDERSTANDING what I’m doing first.

Listen to him. He knows what he's talking about. And you'll never regret taking his advice.

Learn the BASICS. Practice them until you no longer have to think about how to achieve anything.

This is difficult to explain... but I'll try...

You reach a point where your mind is directly connected to your hand, with no conscious thought involved. You simply KNOW what to do. Compare that to copying a reference... The reference is two-dimensional, but the image you see in your mind is ALIVE and THREE-DIMENSIONAL. You'll build life and reality into your work that is simply impossible to achieve by only copying what you see - not matter how technically proficient you are.

Crikey! I think that last thought's making its way into the STAGE 3 video as I type!

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Hi Mike.
I like you’ve mentioned that limitation of the teacher artist ~ to not let him limit yourself
I bet I can’t be limited
You know me for so many years ~ I’m always looking for new ways with everything I get involved to
If Luke tells me this or that, I’m sure I’ll step aside left or right

I’m just being ME
Luke is my ladder ~ but I’m making steps

He said if I get good with basics, I’ll be able to make any art I would want to.
He says ~ basics are key to success.
We all know that very well

I’ve mentioned many times before, that he wants me to follow him ~ the realism in colour.
I bet this is why he’s trying make me focus on principals, so to relay on my skills in future.

I’m being very lucky finding Tattoo Studio where the boss is fascinated with realism in colour.

How much more difficult could it be, if Luke was doing B&W tattoo only?
It would had slow down my education drastically, not having mentor next to me to ask questions…

Thank you Mike for pointed message
I can’t wait for STAGE 3 video to be completed and the tutorial to come live

[Mike Sibley]

I can’t wait for STAGE 3 video to be completed and the tutorial to come live

Unfortunately, my accountant wants my books and - as usual - I'm months behind. Been working on them for a couple of days. Will take at least another couple of days, and then I'll be back making the videos. The next one is here, for DWM members, then "Stage 3" YouTube.

[PogArt-Ttoo]

I can’t wait for STAGE 3 video to be completed and the tutorial to come live

Unfortunately, my accountant wants my books and - as usual - I'm months behind. Been working on them for a couple of days. Will take at least another couple of days, and then I'll be back making the videos. The next one is here, for DWM members, then "Stage 3" YouTube.

It’s ok, as you know ~ first things come first
I’m always enjoying your tutorials because they’re packed up with wise knowledge and well made, easy to understand information for all level artists

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Hiya dear friends.
Latest fresh update if you like to follow

There’s many things going on, and my relationship to that asian girl (she’s been there since beginning of this year, she’s tattooing for over a month now, it’s the same with the english girl, but she was absent for last two days) was affected two days ago.

The studio was getting busy, I’ve had my *home work to get finished on fake skin, and she said I can’t practice today because there will be plenty of work because of many customers coming…

I went to practice regardless what she said.

She’s not my boss at all, and I’m happy to help with customers anyway, because it’s part of my responsibility.
But if I’m done, I need to follow what Luke has asked me to do, isn’t it?

She didn’t like me not being listening what she says…
I felt a tension hanging in the air afterwards.

Every time and then I was walking around studio, asking if anybody wants anything, including her…
She was a bit nicer to me yesterday morning, so we have had some chat about our circumstances in the studio…
She did share what Luke expecting from them two, and I did share what is my role…

Most probably she can see much clearer picture now, why I’m practicing on fake skin ~ it’s not me being rude, but following Luke’s order.

I went speechless hearing what condition she and the other girl are there.

They could have only a ONE DAY of practice on fake skin since beginning!
This was SINGLE DAY, and never happened again!
And they were asking for it long time, before Luke had agreed …

I understood why they were confused and most probably upset with my behaviour…
They couldn’t practice, where I am practicing nearly every day when I’m in the studio…
Whether on the fake skin or an iPad…

At least she knows now, that it’s not me but it’s Luke who requires me to go practice…
Luke also has promised two days ago, to support me with fake skin, inks, needles ~ anything.
All he’s asking me for is coming to studio, helping anybody around, and in my free time get practice …

It seems he has had employed those girls mainly for looking after the studio, cleaning, supporting other tattooists etc.

Yes they do simple tattoos with some basic shading now.
I’ve asked how did they get necessary knowledge then, if they couldn’t practice while being in studio?
She said ~ on her own, just asking for help and advice others…

I understood why she got upset when I’ve turned back two days ago and went to practice regardless she said no…
She couldn’t understand, and maybe she’s been jealous a bit too?
Because she wasn’t allowed ever?

Anyway we’re friends back again, she knows now

NEWS FROM YESTERDAY.
At the end of the day Luke has asked me to MOVE downstairs to the main saloon
He’ll move a bit away from the sink cabinet leaving a space for me next to his station
He also said, if any of other three stations might be not occupied by tattooist ~ I can settle there for my practice

Wow.
Maybe it’s small thing, but I felt promoted
From abandoned room upstairs, where nobody’s coming by ~ I’m moving to the room full of life and busy

I’m guessing it’s not promotion at all, but reasonable move instead

Two other tattooists are moving to that abandoned room, they will start its decoration soon, painting, etc…
So I can not stay there when they start it.

The second clue is that, having me downstairs I can be handy at any time to support other if necessary
Being upstairs ~ nobody could see me really, and I wasn’t aware whether they need me downstairs or not …

So moving me downstairs will hit two birds (or even three!) with one stone

I hope everybody is very well, and if I’m boring at some point, please let me know
So I may say my story in shorter manner then
Best wishes to everybody

[Laurene]

No, not at all boring. I’m happy to hear about your adventures. It’s a lot of change in a short time, but it’s very exciting too. Being near Luke when he works will give you a great chance to observe him as he works.

[PogArt-Ttoo]

Thank you very much Laurene
I hope everything will pay off eventually, because what I’m going through is not happening often, or even not at all …

I’ve been practicing shading an oval and circular shapes today.
Luke wasn’t there today due to the dentist appointment, so he didn’t see it yet.
Other experienced tattooist told me that I did shading well, so I’m taking it for compliment or just kindness
Anyway he also could have had said ~ it’s rubbish, work harder !

Let’s see what Luke says tomorrow