How to Shade a Tattoo

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Practice with paint or pencil.

   Shading is an artistic endeavor
   - no instructions will be able to duplicate the confidence you'll gain by trying to shade yourself.
   
   Shading a tattoo is not so much different from shading a still life.
   
   Try to become comfortable shading off body, even if you are already an accomplished artist.
   
   Practice with pressure.
   
   Pressing hard versus pressing lightly can have dramatically different effects, so you should get a feel for this ahead of time.
2. 2

   Step 2: Practice tattooing on a pork belly.

   Pigs make good human analogues and you can buy a pork belly at a local grocery store or even online.
   
   This way you can get a feel for how much pressure to use and what type of strokes to use without worrying about permanently marking a human's skin just yet. , You’ll use larger gauge needles for bigger shading areas and smaller gauge needles for smaller areas.
   
   Ensure that the needle is protruding no more than one millimeter for the purposes of shading., Most tattoo artists recommend that you choose a faster setting for shadingbecause they think it helps make the tattoos look smoother.
   
   This is a personal preference, so try both ways. , Clean the entire area with soap and water, especially if you have already done the lining.
   
   Make sure that you have gotten rid of any stencil marks, sticky residue, or grease that will get in the way of your shading process.
3. 3

   Step 3: Choose an appropriate tattoo machine and needle size.

4. 4

   Step 4: Consider the speed on your tattoo machine.

5. 5

   Step 5: Prepare the area.

Detailed Guide

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