Dennis Nowakowski - Learn the art of Tattooing - Become a Tattoo artist

Don't live beyond your means

Sick pay

The Health Department

Internet presence and social networks

A little tip in between:

Caution with social networks

Quality, speed and routine

Failed, what went wrong?

My descent

My Comeback

The sum of all the little things

What you should do

Bad tattoo work

You were not reliable

You did not keep track of your finances

Conclusion

Tramp stamp

Asia Style

Backpiece tattoo

Anaesthetic ointment

Biomechanics Tattoo

Bio tattoo

Blackwork

Bloodlines

Blowout

Bodysuit

Comic Style

Cover Up

Dotwork

Fan Tattoo

Flash

Freehand or Freestyle

Hannya mask

Ink

Prison Tattoo

La Catrina

Lettering

Maori Tattoo

Mini Tattoo

Neo-Traditionals

New School Tattoo

Old School Tattoo

Scab

Scratcher

Silver skin

Sleeve

Stencil

Sterility

Tattoo convention

Trash Polka

Trend Tattoos

Walk In

Wannado

Acknowledgement

Dennis Nowakowski, born 1976 in Oberhausen NRW, unmarried without children, is a trained carpenter, media operator and tattoo artist. For many years he kept his head above water with jobs that would turn out to be useful for his career. At a young age he discovered his passion for inking and drawing. Comics sparked his passion for developing his own stories and to transform them into pictures and speech bubbles. Working as a carpenter gave him insights into technical drawings and perspectives which he was able to implement in his comics.

Later he worked as a show advertising designer, where light and presentation were important. Here, he adopted the knowledge he had learned for his private passion as well. Then came the retraining as a web designer, which was a huge leap forward. Modern media inspired him to new ideas and the implementation of his comic projects. Image processing programs, graphics tablet and the internet made it much easier for him to publish his own works.

Enthusiastic about his drawing achievements, a good friend took him by the hand in 1999 and initiated him into the basic knowledge of tattooing. From scratch, Dennis learned how to solder needles, apply colors and shades, use the machines correctly, change motifs and much more. The required starting capital and the amount of time needed was not to be underestimated. Previously trained on pork rind or synthetic skin, he eventually got his first customers, which required patience and perseverance. Free of charge and in his spare time his work developed into acceptable results, which attracted more and more people. Stressed by his regular work and the rush of new clients, Dennis took a creative break for half a year.

After the exclusion criterion of various people who simply wanted to be tattooed free of charge, he continued with loyal customers who at least paid him for the materials and appreciated his work. So he learned how to deal with customers and their demands on tattoos. His work developed further. At the end of 2014 came the point where he wanted to change his career. So he asked his friend Harald, who had tattooed for over 30 years, if he was interested in opening a tattoo studio with him. Enthusiastic about the idea, they got down to work. At the beginning of 2015 they opened their studio called Tattoo in Oberhausen. After some obstacles which just come with the self-employment, the first year passed by. More and more people became aware of Dennis' work. Sometimes even some of Harald’s customers switched to him, which Harald was quite happy with, because his schedule was bur tattoo at the seams.

A solid partnership developed, which still exists today. The former beginner and the veteran exchange their knowledge in a professional way and stand by each other faithfully in the service of the art of tattooing.

Is it even possible to write a book about tattooing without visual aid? I was confronted with this question and, despite critical voices, I answered it with an unequivocal “Yes.” If somebody wants to learn this profession, he should be able to visualize things. With novels or audio books it works just as fine. The only difference is that you need to be able to visualize it for yourself. If you are not able to do this, you can’t advise a client who has a very specific idea of his tattoo motif. If you look around the internet or bookstores, you will find a lot of books, DVDs and Blu-Rays that deal with the topic of tattooing. Unfortunately at not very affordable prices, which discourages most buyers. Therefore I have set myself the goal to write a book that really anyone can afford.

Quite simply, I want to motivate young talents to face their fears and unwaveringly follow a path that will possibly take them further. It is sad to see talented people degenerate because nobody takes them by the hand and promotes their talents.

“Better let it go”, “it's just a fad” or “You won't be able to make a living from that.”

are only some of the sentences that take the courage away from ambitious people to take off professionally with what they are passionate about. Tattooing is a form of art that is becoming more and more popular, especially in Germany, and yet is still frowned upon by conservative people who cling to the traditions of hard work, such as craftsmanship. They take away the dream of talented inkers, comic artists, musicians, writers or actors to ever get a foothold with their passion.

“You'd better learn something decent”, “You've got to take over the company” or “These are just dreams.”

are the most common responses to your career choice. I don't want to denigrate solid professions, but I find it strange that there are no recognized training opportunities for exceptional jobs, such as tattooing. Is it just me, or does it perhaps say something about the backwardness of our country? But exactly here it shows who has the potential to become a tattoo artist and who doesn't. The first step always has to be taken by yourself. This also means to get away from the gossip of others who don't even know better. Those who do their job well, have no hobbies or dreams. These people take it upon themselves to decide about you and what you want to achieve. Scary are family members who laugh at you rather than support you. Distance yourself from these people and concentrate on your goal. In this case you want to become a tattoo artist - and a really good one at that.

This requires a good portion of self-confidence, as with everything you do seriously. Arrogance is often confused with this characteristic. High-flyers are eventually brought back down to earth, even more, they clap their hands with full force and that's it. This must be avoided. Self-confident, nice and courteous is the motto of a la tattoo relationship between tattoo artist and customer. Even more important is the talent. Every would-be tattoo artist can order machines, colors, equipment somewhere and go for it. Anyone can open a tattoo studio. I repeat myself - it is not yet a recognized profession, which is why talentless people who then call themselves tattoo artists, sprout from the ground like mushrooms and start to disfigure unsuspecting and obviously blind people. Which explains the phenomenon of tattoo shows on TV. Cover up shows everywhere you look. Every viewer just facepalms when he sees and thinks something like this:

“Those idiots. Why would they lie down there voluntarily?”

But the cover up professionals will fix it, right? I will go into more detail about this later. I’ll also go into more detail about further problems and solutions, which you should expect on your way of becoming a sought-after tattoo artist. The topics around machines, colors and techniques, I will talk about as detailed as possible. We will figure out the right shop, self-employment, dealing with customers, the right advertising and much more. One more thing first. Not every tattoo artist who has been in the business for a long time will pat me on the shoulder and confirm everything I say here. I would be very disappointed if everyone would do it the way I do, tattoo exactly the same style or express a similar opinion to mine. We are all too different for that. Everything here written down is based on my experiences, which I made over the last years. This book is only meant as a guideline to encourage talents and to support them to go their own way.