DrawWithMike.net

Well, it’s time for new challenge
Let’s meet my sister when she was YOUNG
It’s just reference photo for now to share ~ the rest will follow

This challenge is scaring me off as the face is velvety smooth
I know now I’m king of an old face imperfections
On the other hand, the butter smooth skin won’t accept any errors, and will show them immediately!!!

Mike…
Because you’ve shared your thoughts regarding the sister (old) portrait, that I didn’t want to finish …
After second thought I’m tempting to ~ but it’s only thanks to you
It might be worth to have the full picture done

In regards of my Tattoo Studio visit ~ It was worth it.
No, I didn’t see Luke the owner ~ he left before I came due to health problem of his lass (wife?).
I wasn’t aware of that, nobody sent any message in regards…
I felt it was very rude?
I was asked to leave the mobile number so Luke may call me back?
I thought it’s never gonna happen ~ I’ve seen it many times
Luke proven me wrong?!
He did call me within few minutes asking if I can talk?
We’ve spent fifteen mins over the phone line then.
He’s interested to offer apprenticeship
My next day off is Wednesday 2nd Oct, and this is when I’m invited to see Luke to discuss further circumstances…
So after all those mixed feelings, the outcome is promising I think.
Let’s see where it’ll lead me

This is adorable! The eyes are everything in this reference, and I know you will do them justice.

Just adding my 2 cents, but I think Mike is absolutely right about finishing your older sister tattoo. It would be wonderful to see a complete piece.

Laurene wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:06 pm Just adding my 2 cents, but I think Mike is absolutely right about finishing your older sister tattoo. It would be wonderful to see a complete piece.

And... you would have a completed work to show Luke.

Just saying............

Laurene wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:06 pm This is adorable! The eyes are everything in this reference, and I know you will do them justice.

Just adding my 2 cents, but I think Mike is absolutely right about finishing your older sister tattoo. It would be wonderful to see a complete piece.

I’ll do it Laurene
I’ve reported issue with my ta~oo machine struggling to move needles though.
Moments ago, after some experimental tests involved ~ I’m pretty sure it is not the machine but the power supply instead.
When I’ve raised the Voltage the machine was working flawlessly, but when on lowest Voltage ~ it’s not.
Therefore I bet after nearly two months of using it, the power supply gets less efficient when set to the lowest Voltage, what’s causing the machine being unable to push needles …
I was asked to record video showing the issue.
Let’s see if they may want to accept return and exchange faulty item.

Thank you Laurene for keen comment

Mike Sibley wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:10 pm

Laurene wrote: Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:06 pm Just adding my 2 cents, but I think Mike is absolutely right about finishing your older sister tattoo. It would be wonderful to see a complete piece.

And... you would have a completed work to show Luke.

Just saying............

LUKE DOESN’T WANT TO SEE MY SCRATCHES AT ALL
He said ~ he saw what I’m capable of on my FB page, it’s enough to predict I’ll succeed as a tattooist…I take it for keen compliment?
Or he’s just cheeky monkey, blind folding me with compliments, then will use me being naive for cleaning his studio for free for oncoming months

then will use me being naive for cleaning his studio for free for oncoming months

lol. He sounds a genuine person... but even if you do end up being chief sweeper/tea maker/needle cleaner for a bit, you will still get some great insights into the buisness, how to run the studio, pick up tips on techniques, etc.
That voltage thing sounds, um, possibly painful for the client? Don't know if I'd want to be jabbed with no result or then really stabbed on high speed. Sounds ouchy either way.
Good luck for Oct 2.

LindasPencils wrote: Sat Sep 28, 2024 9:20 am

then will use me being naive for cleaning his studio for free for oncoming months

lol. He sounds a genuine person... but even if you do end up being chief sweeper/tea maker/needle cleaner for a bit, you will still get some great insights into the buisness, how to run the studio, pick up tips on techniques, etc.
That voltage thing sounds, um, possibly painful for the client? Don't know if I'd want to be jabbed with no result or then really stabbed on high speed. Sounds ouchy either way.
Good luck for Oct 2.

Thank you dear friend
This is exactly what I’m expecting Linda
Whatever happens, whatever purpose is taking me on board to his studio ~ I’ll be there!
Talking to people, watching what they do, how they do it
I can’t be wrong coming out of my house to get any experience toward tattooing thing

The LOWEST VOLTAGE is less harming the skin, the higher the Voltage is ~ the more invasive it gets, more skin trauma…
The greatest crowd of tattoo artists do advice the Voltage to set between 6V to 9V.
I’m practicing on 4.7V which is the lowest I can setup.
My machine is 4.5 stroke which is meant to be the colour packer machine.
The less stroke machines are meant for shading.
For example 2.5 stroke is great for smooth soft shading, where 3.5 stroke machine is good all rounder if that makes sense…
I’m following UK’s tattooist advice in here.
He has tried to run 4.5 colour packer machine at lowest Voltage ~ the result was greatly reduced skin trauma

Having his advice in mind, I’m keep learning to learn all my technique for shading and colour packing with the lowest Voltage I can set.
What I mean, I’m not messing the Voltage depends what I’m upto.
It’s stable still at 4.5V whatever I do ~ soft shading or solid colour packing.
At this point what I’m doing is ~ I’m adjusting my technique to the speed of my hand movement.
Anyway I’m trying to learn to adapt everything I do ~ to the same voltage.
That’s my target to achieve.
I’m not sure if I can manage soft shading ~ I’m experimenting.
So this young face of this project is my test, step forward, an experiment to show me whether I can achieve soft shading or not.

If I succeed ~ I’ll be able use my 4.5 stroke machine as an all rounder, for any task I’m up to ~ causing the minimalistic trauma to the skin of my client
The benefit?
The skin area will get less irritated by the needles, I’ll be able to pass the same area for more than once, what will let me build up tone, colour or else…

On the other hand having high Voltage set ~ the skin gets harmed fast, getting reddish etc.
Most probably I’d have only one go off to pass the same area ~ if that’s making sense.

My style of making drawing or painting is to adjust shadows, tones, dependent of the surrounded area…

For example, if I make a shadow, then dealing with the lighter area, I’m working within this surrounded area to achieve the effect, the contrast …
I can not let myself having just one pass over the spot ~ not being able to adjust it anymore…
I’m painting or drawing going around the subject…
From eyes, I’m jumping to the mouth, then maybe cheeks, then the ears …
Depends what is happening in there, I’m coming back to previous spot to adjust it on the go…

So to be able to do my tattoo design the way I’m naturally making the artwork ~ I need to learn how to run my machine at its lowest Voltage ~ if that’s making sense

I know it is possible.
I’m following YouTube artists making colour portraits the way I’m painting ~ jumping all over the subject
All I need is to adapt my machine settings, technique and speed to do it my way, and acceptable less traumatic way to the potential client …

Sorry for too long writing in here, but I’ve tried to express in full picture what’s in my mind

Mike ~ I’m feeling I’m becoming YOU
I’m changing from very lazy living person, to the one that’s not having rest nearly at all
It’s because when I’m having any day off ~ I’m busy at Tattoo Studio
My wife’s already confused where I’m going to work each day, lol …
I do like it so far, but missing my lazy days

I’ve finished traditional simply design on fake skin today, following Luke’s request.
Luke has came by and spent time with me, talking about the approach to get it done, explaining techniques, how to hold tattoo machine and why, what voltage is best to run machine, angles, needles …
Yeah ~ quite engaging conversation it was!
As far as I’m aware, there’s 10 or even more tattooists employed by Luke in this studio.
They’re all different level, from beginners to experienced …
Luke had advised to follow only 4 of those people including him obviously.
He said, the rest is helpful too, but don’t rely what they advice, 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…
He’s main goal is realism, this is what he does.
He does it in colour as well.
He said today to me ~ that I have to learn basics to be good at higher level.
Luke said, the realism in colour is very challenging, no many people wants to do it, so they stick to B&W instead.
He said I can not jump over those basics of understanding what tattoo is to become good tattooist.
Obviously I would want to start making portraits already
I think he senses it already
So 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.

It sounds like you found a real mentor in Luke.
You sound very excited and enthusiastic about this new venture Artur. I’m happy for you!
Keep us up to date when you can find the time!

Laurene wrote: Sun Oct 27, 2024 5:46 pm It sounds like you found a real mentor in Luke.
You sound very excited and enthusiastic about this new venture Artur. I’m happy for you!
Keep us up to date when you can find the time!

Thank you Laurene.
It’s sort of ~ now or never
So I don’t want to complain too much, lol
I can’t wait to see where this *coincidentally happened journey* will lead me