I love mechanical pencils: Pentel Graphgear 500 in various sizes and Platinum Polyter MPH-16 are my favourites.

For precision erasing, kneadable rubbers are the best. For blending, I use a cheap dry brush and blending stumps. I draw on smooth cartridge paper ranging from 130gsm - 230gsm.

I use Procreate on the iPad for drawing most tattoo designs and planning sketches.

Probably before I could write, I drew all the time, doodling in classes and whenever I could!

Both, all artists are self-taught, formally trained or not. We're always learning from our own mistakes, peers and artists before us.

I did an Animation degree (mostly 3D/VFX focused), took short courses and workshops: life drawing etc., studied techniques from my favourite artists (most accessible way to do this is to analyse and copy their work - with credit if posting), watched art tutorials and made a lot of crappy art in between the good ones.

I've been selling and posting art online since uni. Post graduation, I worked for a few years in digital design for some of the biggest music/games marketing and tv production companies, while exhibiting and continuing to share my art online.

Eventually I quit the office grind to go freelance so I could focus on creating art. During this time, my first tattoo mentor found my work on instagram and offered me an apprenticeship, it went from there...

FKA Irons Spektra Xion pen with Kwadron or Killer Ink needles usually in bugpin 3rl or single needle.

Draw all the time. The fundamentals and develop your own style. It will make the transition to tattooing easier.

If you haven't already, start your online portfolio of designs, Instagram is recommended. It's a good idea to start growing your audience before you start tattooing.

Apply for apprenticeships, this is the safest way to learn. Email shops and look for a mentor with at least 5+ year experience.

Save up money or get a side job, because apprenticeships will be unpaid and hard work. However, abuse shouldn't be expected because "this is how you earn your stripes in the industry". If you're being taken advantage of and abused don't force yourself to stay at a shop because you've been told this is how it works. It's always worth messaging past/current resident artists and apprentices to see how a shop treats them before applying.