Proper and properly executed shading can make or break a tattoo, let’s be perfectly honest. That is why it is essential to master the art of tattoo shading and make your tattoo designs come alive. Shading, however, doesn’t only make the tattoo look more 3D, but it also helps you cover up any mistakes made in the process of outlining.

Now, considering you’re reading this article, we’ll assume you’re either a tattoo apprenticeship, or you’re simply interested to see how to tattoo shading works. Either way, you’re at the right place. In the following paragraphs, we’ll talk about the best practices and techniques used to shade a tattoo. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!

How To Shade a Tattoo

Practice Makes Perfect – Practice Tattoo Shading

Maybe you thought we’ll start by explaining the tattoo shading techniques done during the actual tattooing, but that needs to wait. First, you need to practice tattoo shading on mediums other than your client’s skin (you’ll agree that it’s kind of inconvenient to figure out you can’t shade a tattoo properly in the middle of tattooing). So, here are a few ways you can practice the art of shading without any harmful consequences;

• Start easy, with a paper and a pencil – did you know that the majority of tattoo artists have undergone some kind of artistic education (through art courses or college)? That is because creating tattoos is truly an artistic endeavor, and so is tattoo shading. Shading of any kind in art is considered a master technique and it needs a lot of practice, So, take a piece of paper, draw some kind of design and start shading.
• Follow online art classes, courses, or even video instructions – if you find it hard to practice on your own, utilize the Internet. Just like you found this article, you can as easily find online art classes and courses specially created to explain shading.

Sure, the majority of those classes and courses require payment, so if you’re on a budget, search through YouTube; there’s a plenty of super cool, elaborate, explicatory videos about shading provided by actual, experienced (tattoo) artists.