How did we learn to tattoo and get to where we are today?

We are a family run training academy of 6 tattoo artists that earn their living from this amazing art form.

The founder Gary has more that 20 years experience and has trained over 1000 artists from all over the world. He decided to learn to tattoo and started his career in this sector in the year 2001 by opening his first tattoo studio in Ballito, KZN. After just 8 months he had opened his second tattoo studio and then another and another. back then it was not easy to find experienced tattoo artists and Gary had only one option, to teach.

Seeing the need in the industry for people to learn to tattoo, Gary developed our own unique tattoo training courses, from the necessity to train a young art student into a competent tattooer in the shortest amount of time. Back then the only available training method was a 3 year apprenticeship that involved thousands of hours just shop minding, cleaning and making coffee. By that stage many tattoo artists and even shop owners had learnt many bad habits which were being passed on to the apprentices working in their shops.

Gary organised all the technical skills into 36 modules of intense studies, as tattooing is more than just having knowledge about how to do the tattoos but more importantly training the hands, eyes and feet to do the process smoothly and efficiently.

After just 6 years Gary had opened 15 tattoo studios and had 30 artists working for him. Gary realized his true passion was for teaching so he started Skinart Tattoo Training. With the knowledge he had in the tattoo industry and his advanced skills as a software developer. He created this website, now 14 years later and he has traveled the world teaching 100s of people and he never gets bored of it. His wife and eldest son are currently doing courses in New Zealand and his youngest son, Zane and Gary are currently doing courses in South Africa.

We have trained students that have opened studios all over South Africa, United Kingdom, Angola, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia and others. So whether  you want to open your own business or just earn extra money or even just explore your creative side with a new art form, our course is for you!

Gary and I currently own the tattoo studio based at uShaka Marine World and Gary’s daughter owns the tattoo studio based at Pavillion Shopping Center. If you want to find out more about our tattoo studios click here or visit our site.

FAQ

At Skinart we specialize in providing a complete training experience but you may be wondering if you have what it takes to become a tattoo artist, piercer or permanent makeup artist. We all have doubts when starting on a new carrier path but it will be an exciting adventure as you learn more and more about these body-art art forms.

People have often asked how we can possibly provide a complete tattoo training, piercing & permanent makeup course in just a few days and its because we have been doing it for over 20 years, we have trained doctors, lawyers, nurses, renown artists, circus performers, jewelry designers, graphic designers, models, male strippers, computer salesmen, bikers, professional wrestlers and even famous comedians. We started our tattoo training courses in South Africa back in 2001 and have refined the course content.

If you are serious about entering into tattoo, body piercing and permanent makeup I strongly sugest you enroll in one of our courses because we will provide you with many skills needed for a successful career as a tattoo artist that may not be learned from an apprenticeship with a knowledgeable artist. Some health departments and other state and local regulatory agencies also require classroom experience. We provide training in disease prevention, skin diseases and infections and training in blood-borne pathogen prevention that is often required for licensing depending were you decide to operate your business.

Some cities and areas require licensure for tattoo artists; however, requirements vary by region. We will assist you with a complete explanation of all the steps and how to become licensed.

Many parents approach me for advice for their youngsters in school that would like to prepare to get into the skin trade and my advice is taking art classes, either in high school or through a local community center, can help an aspiring tattoo artist learn various art skills, including scale, proportion and shading, all of which are helpful to work successfully as a tattoo artist.