Let's Talk About Scratchers
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- Опубліковано 22 жов 2018
- For tattoo inquires, visit www.jameswithee.com/
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Check out the other artists at my shop by visiting darkhorsetattooco.com/
Love this dude...he sounds like a professor then starts cussing like a sailor out of nowhere...love it! Don’t change bro✊🏽
Saif Fox 😂😂😂 true ! Love it
Does it say something about me that I didn't even notice the cussing until I read this comment? XD
Same. I love the presentation
That scratched baby tattoo 😩🤣🤣🤣
It's one of my favorite tattoo fails ever haha
I have seen the horrible scratched baby tattoo floating around the Internet before. It’s pretty common on lists of bad tattoos. I can’t even imagine what the parent of that kid felt when they looked down at that shit and saw that the “artist” had turned their baby daughter into a demon! Lol.
Seriously. It looks like the tattoo version of the baby would bite off your fingers! I would be so pissed if someone gave me such a shitty tattoo! ...But that’s what you get for letting your boy give you a tattoo in the basement because he’s “bomb at portraits.” Yeah right. 🙄😆🤦♀️
That's fucking dope
You literally sound like you have a PhD in Tattooing. Super sharp insights and really comprehensive information. I don't even have tattoos, but your channel is too interesting not to watch!
thanks man. I'm still pretty new to the game myself though. Been doing it for 6 years. So masters, not PhD lol
I love how you speak like a professional yet use profanity at the same time
Drew Phifer lmao omg me too
Kitchen Wizard.
That's a new one for me. 😂
I literally got my sleeves in a kitchen but they look nice
Sounds like meth cook. 😂
XD hahaha
@@Marco.91sure thing buddy 😂
Love how grounded and genuine you keep your advice - Speaks volumes about the amazing quality of your character as an individual. Meanwhile, your incredible work speaks for itself! Keep it up!!
thank you
James Withee • Great videos. What’s your Instagram?
I had a military buddy do a military piece on me. He had been doing ink since he was a teen, so over 20 yrs. The reason he did them in his home is because of his PTSD. He had a chair, all the equipment and even an autoclave to sterilize his shit. It's one of my favorite pieces, he did a better job than one of the shops I went to to get a piece done. I have seen some terrible scratcher tattoos though for real
There are plenty of artists who have an office in their home, it's more about training and cleanliness if I'm correct, and there's nothing wrong with that. I hope you and your buddy are doing well!
Hooyah Doc, the tattoos I've gotten during shore duty in the barracks never have been the best quality but they all hold a special place in my heart.
I wanna show my appreciation for this video. I am a aspiring tattoo artist. I hate the term scratcher bc of the sterotypes involved. I cannot afford an apprenticeship right now. I am a mom of four kids but have been drawing for years and am currently learning how tattoo at home with friends who are professionals teaching me what they know. I don't do drugs and keep everything as sterile as possible. Even set up a room in my house specifically for tattoos only. Unfortunately because of my anxiety issues I don't see myself in a shop anytime soon but it really warms the soul seeing professionals who started off like me. Thanks for the encouragement.
Are you good now?
You raised a good point in the video that not enough people talk about. There is a growing trend of people that just want coverage. Like you said, they will go to scratchers because they there is no way they could get the huge amount of work done in the short time frame they desire by a reputable artist (both b/c of the time involved and the money). These people just want coverage. Not only do they not care about the artist's skills, but in a lot of cases, they don't even care what the tattoos are. 'Give me something evil or mean looking'. These people/this trend drives me absolutely crazy.
...it is almost like since tattoos aren't as shocking as they once were, these people think that they need a body suit to get the same 'shock value' that ppl used to get from a normal piece. I think that this theory also explains the face tattoo trend in a lot of cases as well. SOO many things disgust me about tattooing these days. But it is more so the people that the actual art. I really wish that things would go back to how they were..like pre 2000's. But that will never happen. hehe
i agree with what you said, especially about the shock value of a giant amount of tattoos / face tattoos. all these dumbass kids running around with tattoos on their neck and forearms but looking all dumb and bare bodied when they take their shirt off lol. as far as wanting things to go back to the way they were, i can't speak on it because i started tattooing just 6 years ago. i think that tattoos are just better quality overall now because of all the discoveries we're making regarding what the medium is capable of.. i'm thankful that old schoolers paved the way to make it what it is today
Not all scratchers are unprofessional. My cousin has an amazing sleeve that was done by a scratcher.
I am so impressed with your videos. I stumbled upon them by accident. Have no idea how. My 14yo son has Type 1 Diabetes and I ageed at 16 he could get a tattoo medical alert/ piece of art that honors that part of his life. I too will be getting my first tattoo that day in honor of all the crap my kid goes through. I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you so much for sharing.
thank you for sharing, april! i'm trying to put forth an effort to make these videos better every time i post one. stay tuned
@Alex M James I would love to see a picture. You are a true warrior. My son was diagnosed 2 years ago right before his 12th birthday. My great was a T1D as well as a cousin of my father. We are so lucky to live in the time we do to have all the great devices available to make life more managable.
I love the fact that you admit your mistakes but like you say you knew what you wanted to become a professional and did what you needed to. I don’t think I have ever thought of going to scratchers. My first tattoo was very important to me so I went a well known shop and all my tattoos have been done by the same guy.
"Kitchen wizards" for some reason this one made me crack up and I love it
Kitchen Wizards performing their miracles with their guitar strings.
'All I need is a guitar string, a small motor, a pen, a battery and a bent spoon. Gloves are optional. Bring all of that stuff over with you and let's get crackin'...bro'.
don't forget the 30 pack of natty ice lol
Traditional media definitely helps (learning to draw what you see, and learning basic color theory, composition, etc...). Doesn't matter if you have the latest Wacom tablet, or the finest brushes, or the finest tattoo machine money can buy. If you don't have the fundamentals, the tools are useless.
Facts
Great comment
Don't understand why you don't have more subs, this is like the only place I've ever found such honest advice/opinions on tattoos
Aw c'mon, who doesn't love a good basement banger 😂 On the real though, I'm married to an award winning tattoo artist, and I wish to GOD there were these kinds of videos around when I was a wee teenager (it's been a minute, no UA-cam back then). I have a delightful tramp stamp from when I was about sixteen that I wish I could shave off. The scarring, the absolute THICCness of the line work... It's a prime example of kitchen wizardry. I don't even want to cover it though. I use it to show my nieces and nephews that THIS is what you get when you let some dork in a dirty apartment tattoo your shit.
Lol no mistakes in life, only lessons 🙏
@@JamesWithee Truth 😂❤️
'Basement.banger.'- that is all 😁
@@bethanyfury1209 Basement Banger by a Staph Slinger. How can you go wrong?! 😂❤️
And don't get me wrong, I have some amazing work now. My husband is the shit, and I have a chest piece by Steve Byrne (look him up, it's beyond worth it) that I'm particularly proud of, among other things. But we all have to start somewhere! I really do wish we had the easy access reference shit folks do these days though. I don't think there's ANY excuse for a shit tattoo in 2018. One serious rule of the tattoo game is YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I wish I'd have known that in the mid/late 90's, lmao.
Could you do a video on body changes affecting tattoos, like gaining muscle mass or losing Weight? Or one on general tattoo placement?
Great videos man! Hope to schedule a session with you before you get too famous lol.
sure i will. ppl ask about this one a lot
He already did look it up. Called why teenagers shouldn’t get tattoos or something
@@Impossibly-Possible yeah but your body changes throughout life. Pregnancy, gastric bypass, plastic surgery etc.
Jimmie M need it
I really appreciate the way you structure your videos by outlining what you’re going to be talking about at the beginning and recapping at the end. It’s a great way to present info and I’m learning a lot.
The 6 dislikes are either people who got work done by a scratcher or scratcher themselves
I love this channel, it really shows how people can turn their lives around! Well done to you. I know I don’t know you, but you help restore my faith in humanity and however bad things look, hard work, determination and a great personality will get you a long way! X x x
Gotta start somewhere
Prison... Gotta go back through your videos.
Man I fucking love your videos as a 2 year tattoo artist I have learned alot from you and I am talking about morals and responsibility about being a tattooer, thank you man.
That baby tattoo!!! I almost hollered. Damn, that shit is tragic!
Your videos have helped give me the confidence to set up a tattoo appointment and helped show me what to look out for in terms of trying to find a tattoo artist. I feel like I've managed to find a really good artist and I'm really excited for my appointment. Thank you so much for your videos, they are very informative!
Always great topics in raw and real view from you. I love your channel.
LOVE the recent frequent uploads!
Thanks man for taking the time
Hi James! Can you possibly make a video in the future about tattoos and people who work out a lot? I'm mainly concerned about potential distortion and warping.
I come from a family of tattooed people and I’m young so I only have 2 myself but I’ve really appreciated all of the information in your videos I’ve seen so far and I’m confident that this new knowledge with help me make educated choices about what I put on my body. Thank you and great job!
I know this video is old as hell but I just wanna say I've been binging your videos and you're awesome! You don't hesitate to say the facts while still being kind about it. I'm a scratcher that's just been practicing on myself and fruit (after taking the BBP courses, learning as much as I can about proper equipment, sterilization, etc). I've always done fine art but was scared of getting an apprenticeship, your vids have really helped me gain that confidence to go out there and try it. I appreciate that youtubers try to teach tattooing techniques but they all say something different and like you said, it really doesn't replace teaching in person. Thanks for all ur info and the time you put into videos!
Thank you James! You really got me thinking. I started an apprenticeship a few years ago and about 1 year in the shop it was at closed. Since then I refused to work on anyone else and just finished what I started on my thigh. I'm glad I know proper setup and tear down, but have been pissed I never made it passed line work and color packing. Lol, I was in denial about being a scratcher. I'm going to take your advice.
Another great vid James! Looking forward to your talk on getting an apprenticeship, would be cool if you could also cover what's involved once you land one. Cheers.
I’ve seen a bunch of your videos and I have to say, you have an incredibly mature and fair point of view on most things. I can tell that you give your opinion like its law because your opinions come from experience and reason. I love your videos.
Thanks man that means a lot. A good portion of the things I say in these videos are opinions that I've thought about and developed over a long period of time. That's why it's easy for me to film without scripting and it still makes sense
Thanks man
I needed this video. Thank you!✊🏿🙏🏿
Damn time to find local fine art classes. Thanks.
Thanks James
Ty for the video Sir.
I've definitely toyed with the idea of being a tattoo artist, because I like art and I do art for a living. I'd be interested in seeing a video on how to start an apprenticeship, because I'd like to be part time in a shop!
Bro you are awesome. I love watching your videos. The thing I like about your videos is the way you talk and explain everything. Keep doing what your doing. I truly believe you deserve more subscribers.
Great content !
I'm glad that I saw this video cause I am starting out on tattooing and I want to be professional instead of being what he described so thanks the information was useful
You got an up vote as soon as you had the honesty to differentiate between skill and setting. The notion because you have a shop to tattoo from somehow makes you a better tattoo artist is a fantasy the gatekeepers sell but few people with eyes can see is a laugh.
LOVE YOUR VIDEOS BRO!! YOUR BLUNT HONESTY CRACKS ME TFU 😂😂😂
I have never gotten a scratcher tattoo but I know plenty of people who have and I sometimes wonder why people do that so thank you for explaining it 😊
Awesome video man and I can definitely relate. I actually started at home but ended up getting an apprenticeship. The shop I work at, we do a lot of cover ups lol bc of a high number of people getting shitty tattoos. But I definitely empathize with some "scratchers" bc like you said, there's definitely different types and levels to "scratchers"
Please make a video about how to take care of tattoos, mostly for the back since those are harder to reach :(
Thank you for the advise and tips thank god i always go to a clean and tidy tattoo store , wow you made it so fucking far keep up the great job .
Great video man! 💪💪💪
i never really understood why would get a permanent change to your body that wasn't as good as it could be.
same
I go out of my way and save up to get the best tattoos i can.
Being tattooed comes with so many experiences. Experiences with quality of tattoos, prices, artists (artist and their egos/diva attitudes), placement, skin types, etc. I have some amazing tattoos and I have some shitty ones. It happens. Experience explains your 'why-have-something-that-isn't-as-good-as-it could-be'. When you go to get a tattoo for the first, second, or even third time, you aren't aware of the different dimensions that go into getting a tattoo. You learn along the way as a tattoo connoisseur/collector. As simple as it is: it happens
I live in Australia so tattoos cost a lot more then $70
Gotta practice somewhere 🤣🤣🤣
Fucking golden content. Professional and straight to the point. Keep up the great content my man. 💯
what happens if you tattoo an acne prone area like a back? can you break out over an already tattooed area and can you tattoo over acne scars?
Awesome! Another video!
back to back like the cover of lethal weapon :)
Even if the topic doesn’t apply to me, I like watching your videos. Always good to learn more about the industry. Keep up the good work James 👍🏻
Good job big guy!
Dude please do the apprentice tips video. Every video ive seen on the subject is saying different things and i feel like you're the best at explaining everything tattoo related
I think you should do a video about different styles and mixing
Thank you for all your information on receiving certification for blood born pathogens, this is something I have been having issues attaining due to the lack of institutions providing such certification in my country.
Do a video on how to maintain and take care of a tat after u get it
Again thank you James for all the information, just passed my BBP training through Pro trainings and received my certificate. Hopefully this helps me get into a reputable shop like yours soon.
nice job. no one becomes a professional overnight. getting educated on cleanliness is a good step in the right direction. glad i could help
@@JamesWithee definitely been a huge help in gaining this certification in order to show my dedication to the profession. I definitely made my fair share of mistakes since i began my tattoo journey in 2013, served a year and a half of apprenticeship but couldn't continue due to unforseen circumstances and being stuck in a country with no actual professional tattoo shops has made it difficult to progress but with videos like yours and other reputable artists has definitely motivated and kept me focused on bettering my fine art knowledge along with techniques, thank you and please don't stop educating the many of us that do take the profession as serious as you do.
I got my first tattoo done by a scratcher, it actually wasn’t terrible but I recently got it covered by a awesome professional and my new artist. Much respect bro, true words, you speak.
Thank you for that video. I didn't learn tattoo with an apprenticeship, but I gave myself the possibility to improve by talking with tattoo artist and even learn for one month with a Chinese incredible tattoo artist in Beijing.
I'm still not a professional, my work isn't perfect, but I'm doing my best to give the best tattoos I can. I'm drawing everyday for 1 year now and I see my improvement everyday as well.
I buy art books, I visit conventions, I draw and I'm taking inspiration by talking with and visiting other tattoo artists. Maybe that I'd still be considered as a scratcher, but I hope that I'll be able to accomplish my goal by living from my passion, and this kind of video just gives me even more motivation. So one more time, thank you for this video !
I have only seen a few videos of yours but I am now subscribed and a fan! I love how honest you are and you’re mad talented! Next time you’re in NYC, I hope I have enough saved to get some work from you!
thanks for the sub!
Goddamn James, you're such a boss. Just continue to be yourself man you will be famous one day I believe it
This is a great video, James! I’m not sure why I got your video in my recommended section (ok maybe it’s cos I subscribe to Ink-It the semi permanent tattoo company) yesterday, but I watched your video on tattooing on black skin and was blown away. . . I immediately subscribed 😊. I’ve been thinking of getting a tattoo for awhile now but was scared since I’m either an 8 or 9 on your color scale (like Lupita’s complexion) and had been told that I can’t get a tattoo because of this. Thanks for such an informative video! Also this one was also on point (and hilarious 😆). Going to watch all your videos now 😊. P. S. In the future could you do a video on whether it’s a good idea to get semi-permanent tattoos (lasting 3-5yrs then fades)? Merci!
I have a full back piece done by bamboo. It was done about 7 years ago so black has faded lightly. Is it safe to go over it with a machine tattoo to add the black colour back to it to look new again? Thanks
great fucking video, man! as always
If you have advice you should make a video about gaining and losing weight with tattoos. I'm sort of overweight right now and I keep putting off getting tattoos because I don't know if I'll ever lose the weight, or maybe I'll end up losing it but then I might just gain it all back.
I went from 85-ish kilos down to 53 kg when I became anorexic. I have a full sleeve and a bunch of others and have even gined weight back since then.
It has not affected my tattoos one bit.
Other might be different but I think your skin stretches back and forth with weight gain. Unless your losing several inches around your biceps (Or somewhere similar) weight gain/loss shouldn't affect your tattoos too much.
how did you do your first apprenticeship? i kinda need a headstart and i’ve been doing some of my own tats but they’re not like those crazy ones w the shading and everything. do u have any recommendations for apprentices?
Could you do a video on general tattoo prices, I get that they very quite a lot, but just for the more so simple tattoos like a small banger on your arm. Not asking you to state how much a full colour neotraditional sleeve is.
This video is everything 🖤
Hello James. Your videos are very informative. Could you do one on mapping out your body? For instance a Japanese bodysuit vs a combination of different styles by different artists. How do you make sure your body looks balanced and does it even matter that much to begin with? Would love to hear your opinion on this. Thanks!
I'm more than confident with the fine art side of things, and I'm looking to get into tattooing by the end of 2022, but the rub is that I can't do a full apprenticeship because I'm the family breadwinner. I have an idea that I could find one of the shops that just throws up flash and acts more like technicians and try to cut a modified apprenticeship from them, in an attempt to focus on the technical aspect of operating the machines, rather than the artistic. What do you think about that idea? Do you think it's wise, under the assumption that I'm already an established traditional artist?
What are some books and videos you recommend to check out if your starting your journey into tattooing
hey James can you make a video on your experiences as an apprentice and why do you guys have to do chore work around the shop before diving into the actual learning of tattooing.
Yeah ill cover that at some point
I appreciate you and I follow and learn from you.
I am always improving and no one going tell me that I can't be great and I'm good indeed.
I do want to thank you for the advice though but I will do absolutely professionesl no less I want be great so thank you man.
i'm ;looking foward for that next video !!! thanks james you're a cutie
I had no idea there was a name for this.....I am not opposed to getting someone who works out of their house if the person is professional. Many artists are between shops or looking for an opportunity. Awesome video.
Love your videos! Your voice is so soothing.
How do you feel about tattooing over scars? I’ve read that it is likely to be more painful, but other than that is it something you would recommend?
I did apprenticeships with three different guys in the 1990"s, The first guy only cared about how much I read the Bible and if I was saved. He didn"t teach me much about tattooing. The second guy wanted a lot of money up front, I gave it to him and then he left town. The third guy treated the apprenticeship like the movie fight club, That you you had to beg him, pay him a lot of money and he was still going to treat you like absolute shit. The tattoo industry needs to grow up.
Hey. Can I ask you this ?! Ummm. So how do I close my gap ??? I’m tattooing non professionally Should I stop tattooing for now ?
When I was 19 and just wanted tattoos, I had 2 scratchers mess me up. I am currently getting them reworked as a 30 year old.I wish I had tattoo knowledge back then. But now I know real artists and gained knowledge.
Great videos! Would definitely like to see some about tattoo removal and cover up. I got some stuff I'd like to get rid of, From when I was younger and dumber lol
Hey I have s color tattoo and I want to just cover up like half of it. Is it possible.
Can you do a video for long term tattoo care?
love your videos! may I request a video about blackout tattoos/blackout tattoos for cover ups. ✌🏻
Sure I'll prolly make one of those eventually
I'm ones of those people on the grind, I want this to be my career. I look at the flaws in my art and always look for room to improve
Thank-you.
And focus on drawing? And learning?? Or can I do both at the same time
Gotta start somewhere
i got my first and only tattoo (for now tho) from a “scratcher” just because he was a close friend of my cousin, he studied and even got licensed but stull didnt make it to open his own tattoo shop. is he still considered a “scratcher”? got my first tattoo from him as i wanted it to be from a fellow filipino.. wanted to get tattooed by wang od (you know her right?) but i knew she stopped tattooing, still hoping to get a tattoo from her tho :(
Another great video! I love how you didn't just dismiss the scratchers all together, since some of them might honestly be trying to get better, they just don't know how. Oddly, it seems to me that some of these people just legit don't have an art background and don't realize what they're doing is just...not good.
I would love to see a video, even just a mini one, on tattoos in other languages (i.e. not-roman letters). Recently a friend of mine got song lyrics in hangul, but when she showed me, I noticed there was absolutely no spacing between the words, which I know can change the meaning of some of the sentences. :/ I'm curious to learn how tattoo artists approach tattooing in a language they don't even know. It seems to me like just a bad idea, but what does one do if they don't have an artist around them that actually knows that language? Do artists ever do their own research to make sure it comes out perfect?
Lol maybe I will make a video about this. I have a funny story to tell
Another problem especially in the uk which creates a lot of scratchers is getting a tattoo apprenticeship is near impossible, I’ve literally approached artists to enquire about apprenticeships or even how I might go about getting one and actually had artists stare through me like I wasn’t even there or just walk away a lot of artists I’ve met are arrogant and for that reason I’ve even considered the scratcher route myself
There you go again bein' freaking bad ass! My boy does vids!
Lmao
I’m getting my masters in fine art and this Covid thing is killing the ability to get a apprenticeship literally been told that they cant have more then the artist in the shop so how would you recommend i go about tattooing i want is as a career because I don’t want to be a painter or art teacher
That’s what my mentor told me at the shop; when I was eager to learn as a apprentice;
i do agree with everything you said ..
Ouch, maybe i'm some sort of scratcher at this point. I do have artistic formation tho, i studied fine arts and i'm a painter, but i was only a couple months as a tattoo apprentice, since that shop was too slow and i didn't have much instances for learning really. Still, i have a real desire to learn and go pro, so i'll go looking for another apprenticeship, and this video is actually a deciding factor for that specifically.
Like I said, everyone starts somewhere man. I'm not judging. If tattooing is your dream and you are willing to work for it then you'll make it eventually
James is right. I have to look at myself and decide whether I'm gonna stay a scratcher (who only tattoo's himself) or look for another apprenticeship. I think it's almost worst being 1/2 done then never starting at all!
Still looking forward to that tattoo apprenticeship video bro. 💯 I draw like crazy and want to get a portfolio together , i do tattoo but only on fake skin for bout 2 months now really got the feel for the guns now. I don’t think i should tell the person i want to ask for an apprenticeship this though.
For someone who someone who doesnt seem to have a background in medicine you sure are accurate as hell with all of your explanations, good shit man.
Would it still look good to have some traditional pieces on one arm and then black work on another arm? I love both types and I've already started my traditional sleeve so I don't know if I should stick to traditional for my whole body.
it all depends on how it looks as a whole. you just wanna avoid having wayyy more black and/or saturation on one side that you have on the other. think about how the whole thing will look when ppl are standing far away from you. it should look balanced
It's really tough to start, though. I'm 28 years old, have a family to support. I can't afford a nonpaid apprenticeship... So I've learned the basics from a tattoo artist, and now I'm practicing at home. I'm not comfortable actually tattooing a person right now, but I do want to get to that point. I'm enrolled in a course about bloudborne pathogens and hygiene for tattoo artists and piercers, but an actual apprenticeship will probably not be an option for me.