Well done shading can make a big difference in the quality of a tattoo. It can help cover up mistakes, or add a lively three-dimensional touch. Many people take years to perfect their skill, so don't expect to learn in a few days. However, if you are interested in an overview of how shading is done and the techniques used to achieve a good result… you are in the right place!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Practice painting or pencil
Shading is an art - no instruction can replicate the confidence you would get by trying and trying yourself. Shading a tattoo isn't much different than shading a still life. Try to get familiar with shading a body, even if you are already an experienced artist.
Practice applying the right pressure. Applying more or less intense pressure can give significantly different results, so you should get an idea beforehand
Step 2. Practice tattooing on the skin of a pig's belly
Pigs are very similar to humans and you can get the skin at a grocery store or even online. This way you will be able to understand how much pressure to use and what types of strokes to use, without having to worry about leaving permanent marks on a person's skin.
Step 3. Correctly choose the tattoo machine and the size of the needles
You will use larger needles to shade larger areas and smaller needles for smaller areas. Make sure the needle doesn't stick out more than a millimeter when you need to use it to shade a tattoo.
Step 4. Evaluate the speed of your machine
Most tattoo artists recommend using a higher speed for shading because they think this gives the tattoo a smoother look. It's all about personal preference, so try both ways.
Step 5. Prepare the area to be tattooed
Clean the entire area with soap and water, especially if you've already made the contours. Make sure you have eliminated any marks left by the stickers, any sticky or greasy residue that may hinder the process.
Part 2 of 3: Designing the Tattoo
Step 1. Design the tattoo in agreement with the customers
Always discuss what the client's desired final tattoo looks like. Even if he tells you he trusts you, it's always best to involve him in making decisions.
Step 2. Be aware of light and shadow
You need to think about the role that light and shadow will play in any tattoo if you want to shade it properly. Shading a tattoo is as much about the art as it is about the technique of execution. Ask your client to describe the hypothetical lighting of their tattoo.
Step 3. Think about everything in advance
The hypothetical light source must always be the same throughout the process. The shadow doesn't have to be inconsistent. If the upper part of an arm is lit, then the lower part must be darker. If you are using colors, try shading with complementary colors. Grab a color wheel and find the complementary color to the one you used for the outlines. This will give the tattoo a real relief effect.
Step 4. Draw a sketch for the client
The client will want to get an idea of the final look of the tattoo and making a sketch will also help you understand exactly how to draw it. Do a few test sketches until you find the right one.
Part 3 of 3: Shading a Tattoo
Step 1. Turn on the tattoo machine
Make sure you use an appropriate tattoo machine and needles that are the right size for the job you are doing. Likewise, adjust the speed of the machine. Many tattoo artists recommend a higher speed for shading than is normally used to draw the outline.
Step 2. Allow some time between drawing and shading
You don't have to go directly from drawing outlines to shading the drawing. While. It is possible to wait about a quarter of an hour for the tattoo to dry, many artists prefer to draw and shade a tattoo in separate sessions. This not only makes the tattoo artist's job easier, but also gives the client the ability to think about how they want the shading to be done.
Step 3. Make circular movements
Start with the darker areas of the tattoo and then move your hand in circular motions towards the lighter areas. Remember that you will need to apply more pressure on the darker areas than on the lighter areas. To manage this phase well you need a lot of sensitivity and to get it you will have to practice.
Step 4. Change the depth of the shadow by adjusting the heaviness of your touch
Essentially, your brushstrokes need to range from heavy to light. To darken the shaded areas you have to apply more pressure and you have to reduce it when you switch to the lighter ones. You don't have to make the gradients too obvious, so try to blur the transitions from one color to another a lot.
Step 5. Change the amount of ink that can pass through the needle as you go
This is a trick that can waste some time. However, it is useful if you don't feel confident enough to be able to produce a gradient simply by managing the pressure of the needle. If this is the case, then changing the ink capacity is another option.
Step 6. Dilute the ink
This is another trick. Dip the needle in distilled water to dilute the black pigment and turn it gray. This is useful because you don't have to change the needle as you move around the different areas of the tattoo. As you apply the ink, tilt the needle in a circular fashion to blend the tones of the tattoo effectively. This way the needle will apply different amounts of ink, contributing to the shading.
Step 7. Clean the needles as you go
You need to be sure that the darker ink has been completely removed from the needle before starting the process on the lighter areas. Forgetting to clean the needles could seriously ruin your shading.
Step 8. Cover previous jobs if necessary
Shading is a good opportunity to cover up a mistake made by you or another tattoo artist previously. You can even shade to cover previous shading errors. Just perform the same techniques.
Step 9. Remove any unwanted ink that remains after you finish the tattoo
You need to be able to review your work. You may notice inconsistencies, and in this case, you will need to take it back and fix it. Change the shading to remedy inconsistencies in that specific tattoo.
Advice
- Take your time.
- Get a lot of practice. Shading is more of an art than specific instructions.
- Consider taking a shading art class. This will help you familiarize yourself with the basics of the technique.
