​Having completed my scroll exercise, my day to day tasks as an apprentice continued, including desk work and shadowing. During this period, I learned to feel comfortable in my environment through familiarity with procedures such as talking to customers about tattoo designs, assisting with customer/artist consultation, and booking the customer in on the calendar with a deposit.
 
These procedures have taught and continue to teach me what the possibilities are in tattooing in regards to cover-ups (tattooing over an existing tattoo design with something completely new), reworks (essentially, collaboration with other artists tend to be unaware they are part of a collaboration, and who have created a tattoo that is not of a suitable quality so requires a more accomplished artist to edit the piece), and matching client ideas to artists realisations, including any aesthetic negotiations that may be necessary to ensure the best piece possible. Part of desk work is a good understanding of artist to client suitability, and ensuring that what the client hopes for is possible by consultation with the artist. My understanding of what is possible independent of secondary input has naturally increased and assumingly will continue to do so – an essential skill for when I come to tattooing in the future.
 
A particular observation I had made while working on the desk was that often clients are rather vague on what it is that they would like to have tattooed, and may ask for examples of artwork to view and choose from – this perspective has its roots in traditional tattoo street shops but is not the procedure in custom tattoo shops in which each client is assured an original design. Some clients may request subject matter that conforms with current trends (e.g. Greek mythology, pocket watches, mandalas), and there are many requests for the names or portraits of loved ones.
 
While there is of course a place for such subject matter, my inclination is that the client may either want a tattoo that is simply executed well, while allocating them to a particular subculture or tribe to which they feel identified (often the tattoo may feel like an appropriate expansion of how the client has chosen to present their identity in regards to their appearance and demeanour), or that they hope to recognise the significance of another being to their personal identity using a method which is apparent, visible to all, and permanent.
 
If the design choices requested by clients can be categorised to such motivations, which through a brief and light discussion, I believe they can – then it may be fair to assume that there could perhaps be stronger methods of visually communicating such ideas than what has been requested.
 
Coming from a design background, my methods of working with a client have always been to understand what the client hopes to communicate in the imagery through discussion, and to formulate an output which manifests their vision. An integral part of the process in my own methods is in the realisation of what started as an abstraction set out in the brief. Most of the briefs have come about through organisations/companies that are well versed in art direction – in tattooing however, the client isn’t always necessarily of a creative mind-set. My belief is that tattooing is essentially another form of design, and part of being a strong designer is the non material process of creative problem solving, in addition to craftsmanship.
 
While tattooing has become increasingly visually impressive and the standards of craftsmanship continue to rise, works of a less creatively stimulating nature tends to just be honoured as part of the industry standard, and perhaps acts as the ‘bread and butter’ between more stimulating work for many artists. As previously stated, though this is a worthy and legitimate practice which will always have a place (some clients are set and happy with their ideas), it could also be possible that there are alternative ways to understand what it is that some of the clients are motivated by to get the tattoo and as a designer, to assist in fully realising their vision.
 
There are a host of methods to apply such thinking that may be applicable, but the core of the idea is to understand the client intent and offer something outside of what is commonplace and appears to be culturally normative. While my PhD research will be of a practice based nature, it is important to understand what formally conducted academic research into tattooing from a social sciences perspective has been conducted to combine with my empirical understanding of individual motivations for design choices, in order to offer any practical solutions to potential areas that may benefit from investigation.
 
At the time of writing (September 2017) one conceived potential method may simply be a more in depth client consultation than traditional (perhaps ‘conversation’ would be a more appropriate term). The actual tattooing process is very tactile and thus requires a lowering of defences and physical intimacy between both the tattooist and client. Spending a little more time discussing ideas with a client may introduce more of a participatory feel to the process, and thus increase the output of the tattoo, experience for those involved, and ultimately, the financial gain of the studio.
 
An example scenario may be that a 35-year-old father wants the name of his 6-year-old daughter tattooed onto his forearm in script. The request can be broken down to the stage before the idea has been formulated into abstract ideas, which might be that the client wants 1/ a tattoo to express his love for his daughter and 2/ an aesthetic of formality through what might be considered a conservative font. From these ideas and through conversation of the significance that his daughter made to his life, her personality, particular memories etc. ideas for visuals may then be generated. He may have a memory of being on holiday in Lanzarote where he was swimming in the sea and felt a strong connection to his daughter, and the design may be two sets of swim fins and snorkels emerging from splashing water, with a mountainous background indicative of volcanoes. Equally, the tattoo may well be in script, but it could be in the handwriting of his daughter, and above his heart – making it a more personal expression of the intimacy of their relationship.
 
Though the above example is of a very superficial and mind-to-screen example of potential implications of the application of design methodologies applied to tattooing, it serves as a starting point from which I am able to consider alternative ways of demonstrating my ideas better. As I continue my apprenticeship I hope to conduct some first hand data gathering of client requests and what imagery they show to communicate their desired visual style of tattooing, in order to better understand how I may conduct my practical research. 

​After my initial exercise in tonal values through the drawing of Frankensteins monster, my normal tasks resumed in the studio – mainly cleaning booths, sourcing supplies, and shadowing artists while asking questions. It has been brought to my attention multiple times that the way in which my apprenticeship was panning out was unconventional, in that I wasn’t being subject to insulting behaviour from my peers (at least not on a particularly harsh level). They would often give me examples of occasions during their apprenticeships where they had been asked to do unreasonable things, such as wash the boss’s car or do other entirely unrelated tasks to their education, and often be humiliated in the process.
 
At Triplesix it is clear that they have my best interest at heart, and although I am subject to some condescending comments and unpleasant behaviour, it is always meant in good fun, and offered as a side dish to an array of helpful and constructive advice. I’ve learned how to react to innuendos, and to recognise when jokes have been set up to which I am the punch line, meeting them in good humour (and occasionally respond accordingly, depending on my gauge of how sore the sting might be, and if it will be met at the level that can be still considered humorous!).
 
Part of what I’ve learned after working in the industry now for 3 and a half months is that tattooists are often sensitive beings who struggle with acceptance of social norms and cultural programming, and so react accordingly with jokes that might be considered politically incorrect, or other symbols of non-conformist lifestyle. While I initially struggled and felt that I might come across too serious (my experience of learning new skills has always been from an academic perspective, which is very much taught in a comparatively formal way) I realised that I shared more commonalities with my peers than any other group of individuals I had worked with with any other context. While my sensitivity is expressed through what might be considered ‘radical honesty’ (i.e being uncomfortably open about my insecurities, fears and flaws), others I work with express it and navigate their way through in with humour or lifestyle. There are multiple artists all with their own nuances, and it seems apparent that there is a common wave of something shared between them all – I believe I am also riding on that same wave, in some form or another.
 
My next drawing task was to sit and draw scrolls or banners, that are common subject in traditional or ‘old school’ tattooing. The task was set so that I began without any advice as to how to approach it, to demonstrate how it was incorrect and compare to an improved version that would be produced after being given some advice. When I sat down to begin, one of the artists came over to show me an example of possible ways to approach the task, which I then attempted, however we where both unaware that I was meant to perform the task incorrectly the first time.
 
When Bez, the studio founder, saw how I was approaching it, he commented that I was ‘supposed to do it wrong the first time so I can see how to do it right the second time’. Fortunately, I had still managed to do it incorrectly (which of course was pointed out with light hearted enthusiasm) and then shown how to perform it correctly after wards. The process involved creating a long horizontal curved line, and then mirroring with a second line underneath the first, and making sense of where vertical lines might then be placed to create the illusion or a wrapping scroll. Once this had been practised multiple times, I would then be able to consider the material of the scroll and how it might flow around the object that it was wrapping, and where the light might hit and affect the banner.
 
After multiple attempts met with insecurity in my ability to comprehend my approach, and anxiety that others would be able to observe my poor results, I began to recognise progress and logic to what I was putting on paper. What I was producing was starting to resemble what it was aimed to resemble, though despite looking correct I was struggling to be able to forecast the output prior to putting pencil on paper. After a few attempts I did begin to be able to plan the placement, flow, and texture of the scroll without needing to just figure it out as I went on, and my pages began to look intentional rather than exploratory.
 
Though the illustrative work I create may not necessarily utilise scrolls, the principles are certainly relevant to any elements of work that utilise flow, which is something I try to incorporate in my compositions often. It was additionally pointed out to me that the way in which I draw for myself will be very different how I might draw for a tattoo, as it wouldn’t be practical to spend 12 hours drawing for a 3-hour tattoo. The task was set in the understanding that in the early years of my career I would be largely doing ‘walk-in’ tattoos (names, symbols, small designs etc.), so wouldn’t necessarily have much more than 20 minutes to draw for such designs.
 
Though only a technical exercise that was conducted to allow me to approach my work with greater versatility, it also served as a demonstration into how a conventional tattoo brief may be instigated (i.e. the client want’s a name in a scroll that wraps around an image of ‘x’). Below are demonstrations of my attempts at the the exercises, in which my progress appears to be noticeable through practice.
 
While my PhD research (beginning in October) will serve to explore how multidisciplinary and cross-cultural influences can enrich contemporary tattooing, it is important to understand and recognise the traditions that are already in place in order to promote their artistic evolution. Exercises of such a nature are integral to the foundations of traditional tattooing, and contemporary approaches are rooted in the expansion of traditional foundations.  

Through a combination of good fortune, persistence, and resistance to submitting to the typical 9 - 5 working life, i managed to secure a position at Triplesix Studios​ in Sunderland that began in May 2017.

Triplesix is recognised internationally as an award winning tattoo studio founded by the Richard Beston (or 'Bez') - a highly respected artists and product designer within the tattoo community. In addition to his prolific tattoo ability, Bez has created tattoo education DVD's, and his own tattoo machine product machine titled 'ego'. The studio hosts an array of high quality permanent artists, each with their own specialism, and regularly invites both international and national guest artists to tattoo in the additional booths that are available. In short, with the combined years of experience from all potential mentors employed, and the oversight of an innovator within the field, Triplesix seems the perfect studio in which to gain a high-quality apprenticeship and introduction to the tattoo industry. 

My apprenticeship began on the 19th of May, and my initial introduction into the studio mainly involved gaining an understanding of the booking system for appointments, shadowing artists while asking questions about their processes, and ensuring high standards of hygiene (or less formally articulated - cleaning). Though still in the early stages of the apprenticeship at the time of writing, it feels fair to suggest through retrospective evaluation that the first month is about demonstrating a sincere and authentic desire to learn about the discipline. This is achieved through a combination of positive attitude, willingness to learn, and evidence of appreciation of the rare opportunity that has been given.

A few examples of the not particularly creatively stimulating, yet necessary tasks include tearing rolls of kitchen towels into individual sheets that are used during the tattoo process to wipe away blood etc from the tattooed areas, deep cleaning artists booths - including the underside of the tattoo beds and inside drawers etc (which often have very stubborn ink stains), and sanitising the walls and floor with alcohol wipes and dettol fluid, going to the shop to stock up on baby wipes, cling film, vaseline, etc. Though these tasks may appear menial and not directly relevant to my career as a tattooist, they serve as a demonstration of my willingness to be in the studio, and my intuitive understanding when of the  practise of  good hygiene - both of which are integral traits of a tattoo studio that are perhaps valued higher at the early stages of an apprenticeship than actual ability. I personally regard it as a justifiable form of payment to the studio for the education which i will be given, that will result in my career stability and artistic progress generally. When compared to the accumulated debt typically incurred through academic education, cleaning toilets for a few months is not too high of a price to pay.

In addition to the less glamorous admin and hygiene tasks undertaken, shadowing artists and asking questions about their process is also a crucial aspect of the apprenticeship. As mentioned, Triplesix hosts a number of high quality artists with their own specialisms, who all work in unique ways. While initially I found the lack of certainty of structure intimidating in it's ambiguity, I came to recognise it as a liberating insight into how open-ended the discipline can be, and what can be offered from various technical approaches. Having come from a background where i have some experience working professionally as an illustrator and teaching Illustration and Design to undergraduate students, i thought that i may in an advantageous position through experience, however the level of expertise amongst me made it apparent that i am only in the very early stages of my career as a visual artist/designer.

This blog will aim to record my journey from apprentice through to tattooist, commenting on any inspirations, observations, questions, and findings that occur in the process. In addition to my apprenticeship, from October 2017 i will be undergoing part-time PhD research that investigates how multidisciplinary design process and cross-cultural influences may enrich contemporary tattooing and demonstrate it's relevance as a design discipline in the wider design and art community. The blog will also offer a platform to express my research journey and unite my academic and creative practice.