Help an aspiring artist?

[wowippyiscool]

I'm working on a tattoo portfolio.
And by working, I mean "I haven't quite started yet".

I have digital work done, and rough sketches, but
I want something professional-looking to put in my book.
I've sold a picture to a tattoo artist for $20 once, and it wasn't that great.
(Click here to see the picture sold)
I want to be able to sell more, since I doubt I'll ever be an actual tattoo artist.


So this is where you come in.
What are good tattoo ideas that I could sell?

Please keep in mind, I'm going to actually try to sell these.
Don't say anything personal like family trees or
something that you would get for personal reasons.
Just... not-so-generic flash that would catch attention.

Here are some examples of my past creations:

Digital Work:
Ocean-Themed Half Sleeve
Zombie Design For A Friend

Free-Hand Onto Subject:
Female With Angel Wings
Mannequin Full
Mannequin Sleeve
Mannequin Tramp Stamp

Rough Sketches:
Hip Tattoo & Under Breast
Shark Chestpiece
Cardinal "Mom"

I'm currently working on...
Marylin Monroe portrait.
Elvira portrait.
Heath Ledger portrait.
Several fairy pieces.
Southern Pride piece.

I need ideas for...
Half sleeve themes.
Chest piece themes.
Back piece themes.

And whatever else you can think of!

Help me grow as an artist.
:]

 

[Nekojin_cat]

I just have to say, those wings are really amazing. I love the detail.

I'd suggest maybe looking through books of flash tattoos for inspiration? It'll give you an idea of the popular styles and subjects, and you should be able to tie in your own details to customise your art.  

[wowippyiscool]

Really?
I did those about two years ago with a sharpie, hahaha.
We were drunk and she was complaining about how
she'll never be able to afford wings.
It took about thirty minutes.

Yeah, I copy a lot of flash already for practice.
It's just hard sometimes to come up with ideas when
all I really do is draw all day anyway.

 

[Lance Castle]

wow I love most of your stuff, Heck I might even try to get you to design draw me something Ive designed before. Im great with ideas, but I suck at drawing them razz  

[Annihilation Sky]

Those are amazing wings eek heart  

[wowippyiscool]

Lance Castle

wow I love most of your stuff, Heck I might even try to get you to design draw me something Ive designed before. Im great with ideas, but I suck at drawing them razz

Really?

A lot of boys complain that my art is too feminine or cartoonish.
But I hardly ever have to draw anything "manly" since none of the boys
that say this have any ideas for me to draw something else.
gonk

 

[wowippyiscool]

Annihilation Sky

Those are amazing wings eek heart

Thank you!
Although I'm sure I could do much better nowadays.
That was a long time ago and I was drinking...


...hahaha.
sweatdrop

 

[Nekojin_cat]

wowippyiscool

Really?
I did those about two years ago with a sharpie, hahaha.
We were drunk and she was complaining about how
she'll never be able to afford wings.
It took about thirty minutes.

Yeah, I copy a lot of flash already for practice.
It's just hard sometimes to come up with ideas when
all I really do is draw all day anyway.

Yeah, really, lol. The way they're kinda scribbly seems to enhance them - they look more real because you can imagine that the wind is ruffling the feathers up.

Well, maybe do a range of basic animal poses, or themed sleeves - like a sleeve of kittens chasing string, or something. Or horses in various poses. Maybe do a sleeve of playing cards and dice, with pinup girls on the cards or such. I dunno - for most of the bigger tattoos (sleeves, back-pieces) I think almost everyone would get them custom-designed to fit them personally, as opposed to getting flash...  

[apanda999]

Ok I'll ask... Why is it that you think you are not good enough to be a tattoo artist? An appenticeship would give you what you are looking for to expand as an artist and push your limits. You already have a better start on drawing than some in the business. rolleyes

 

[wowippyiscool]

apanda999

Ok I'll ask... Why is it that you think you are not good enough to be a tattoo artist? An appenticeship would give you what you are looking for to expand as an artist and push your limits. You already have a better start on drawing than some in the business. rolleyes

I honestly feel very mediocre.
I'm not very creative and I have a very limited imagination.
My skills are very crude and I could use some tune-ups.
I would never even dream of offering
anything less than my best to a live client.

That, and... I'm kind of embarrassed to admit...

None of the tattoo artists where I live are worth a s**t.
They're all very poor artists and are complete assholes.
One of the apprentices in one of the shops I visited called out
"Maybe if you give him a blow job! BAHAHA!"
And I'd rather not go that route.

I know it's popular to be a tramp (excuse me) and get ahead...
But I've never been a fan of that kind of that kind of work.

However, I'm trying to pick up permanent makeup as a career.
It's actually getting very popular in my area.
That way, I would work in a hospital/spa rather
than lower class tattoo joint.