Workshops & Alumni
Obscura and The Tattoo Mentorship Program are proud to bring you our continuing education and focused learning workshops! Read below to explore the variety of topics that we offer. While these events are particularly designed for alumni of The Tattoo Mentorship Program, they are open to any tattooer who can provide proof of a valid tattoo license. Each workshop will be unique and no two are the same! Learn techniques, enjoy open discussion and bring your work for group critique. Workshop relevant demonstrations will be performed by resident studio artists and/or guest artists! Workshop dates and details will be posted here and on our social media in the near future… so stay tuned! Feel free to contact us for more information!
Reminder! – If you have, or are attending The TMP you have six (6) months from your program's start date to have priority access to all of our continuing education offers!
Ornamental, Geometric, Dotwork & Patterning
Ornamental tattoos have fast become a huge focus in tattooing. Mandalas
have become one of the most requested tattoos almost overnight. Artists
from all over the world have integrated mandalas, patterns and repeating
designs into their tattoos. Often seen in black and grey as well as in
color, ornamental and geometric tattoos have become a huge desire among
tattoo lovers. Many different aspects of sacred geometry, mathematics and
spiritual symbolism are seen in this style, often with meticulous symmetry
and specificity. Techniques such as dotwork/stippling, multi-dimensional
shading, layering, single line detail and line-weight practices are used.
Senior artist and Studio Owner, Taryn Elise, specializes in as she says
“anything detailed enough to give someone else a headache’ so if you’re
looking for your one-stop workshop on all things patterned, dotted or
detailed than our Ornamental, Geometric, Dotwork & Patterning workshop is
for you!
Cover-Ups & Re-Works
You may have seen a number of cover-up tattoos and had no idea they were a
cover-up! That’s the sign of a really great cover-up… If you’ve seen a
tattoo and knew it was a cover-up, that was probably NOT a good cover-up
tattoo, hah. Are you totally irked when you see artwork done poorly? Do you
get a natural desire to make something better when you know it can be? Do
you think anyone should wear a tattoo, something permanent on their body,
that they hate? If you answered ‘Yes’ to these questions then you might
love our Cover-up and Re-work Workshop. Learn the successes, and failures,
of cover-up tattoos and how to expertly achieve a successful cover or
re-work. Good cover-up tattoos are a specialized area of the tattoo
industry and can add a huge advantage to your tattoo portfolio! Our senior
artist and studio owner Taryn Elise specializes in cover-ups and is eager
to teach you everything she knows! Come learn cover-ups with us!
Micro Detail & Single Needle Techniques
Single needle and extremely high detail tattoos are in heavy demand in
today's tattoo world. Gone are the days when every tattoo you saw was big,
bold or heavy handed. Using single needles and creating micro details that
hold up over passing time is a skill that requires specific knowledge and
continued practice. Obscura’s artists specialize in many areas but fine
detail is by far what our girls are known for. We can show you everything
from fine line black and grey work to full color micro portraits. If you
want to grow your knowledge of tiny tattoos be sure to take our Micro
Detail & Single Needle Workshop!
Portraiture
While we won’t say that Obscura’s artists can be considered ‘Realism
Artists’ we’re certainly very good at it. Nor Taryn or Amanda will say
it’s their specialty, but only specifically due to always adding their own
flare to things. If you bring us a photo we can definitely give you that
as a tattoo– but what we aspire to do is make it even better and give you
MORE than just the photo– hens, we want to make it better than just
REALism. Want to learn portraiture that’s better than just copying a
photograph? Want to learn how to create the perfect hair strokes or the
finest eyelash? Obscura’s girls can help you break down the art of
portraiture and help you get it REALly perfect every time. Learn proper
shading and lining techniques that will have your client double take at
that face with our Portraiture Workshop!
Custom Lettering & Calligraphy
Lettering tattoos may just be the oldest trick in the tattoo book next to Sailor Jerry! Names and dates, quotes and lyrics, memorials and moms— Lettering is a cornerstone of the tattoo industry and a must in any artist's portfolio. In the technological age that we currently reside, it's oh so simple to just print out a computer font… But the ability to create custom lettering, to draw out a name beautifully in front of a client, is a dying skill in the tattoo world. To create custom lettering or calligraphy is an art in itself and a skill that takes much patience in practice. One that senior artist and Obscura owner, Taryn Elise, has honed and coveted for many years. Come learn how to wow your client and draw custom lettering directly onto your live canvas with Taryn!