Tattoo for Beginners
A course by Polilla TattooTattoo Artist and Digital Designer
A course by Polilla Tattoo, Tattoo Artist and Digital Designer
Learn everything you need to start tattooing from scratch
Curious about tattooing but not sure where to start? In this course, Florencia Landaeta, better known in the tattoo world as Polilla Tattoo, shares the tools, materials, and techniques you need to get started as a professional tattoo artist.
Learn everything about tattooing, from the assembly of the machine and table to types of needles and hygiene, as well as basic techniques for drawing, shading, and coloring on skin. Then practice it all using an orange! Discover the human body as your canvas when designing and illustrating tattoos, carefully considering its anatomy, and get ready to explore different types and styles of contemporary tattoos.
Featured review
excellent course, she explains very well and is super relatable. She is interesting to listen to and has many good tips and tricks for tattoooing.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 14 downloads
History of the tattoo, types, styles and their evolution
9 minutes, 13 seconds
How to assemble your first basic or professional kit
15 minutes, 56 seconds
Materials (part 1)
9 minutes, 10 seconds
Materials (part 2)
12 minutes, 54 seconds
Creation of the design (part 1)
10 minutes, 19 seconds
Creation of the design (part 2)
16 minutes, 5 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Florencia Landaeta, better known as Polilla Tattoo. She tells you about how she started out in the fascinating world of tattooing after studying design and shares her main personal references, from designers to tattoo artists that continue to inspire her every day.
Go on a journey through the history of tattooing, learning how it began and how the different styles have changed over time.
Florencia teaches you how to assemble your first basic or professional tattoo kit and get to work. Examine all the materials you need in detail, such as what machines are available, the different tools, needles, and other items, as well as the must-knows. She also gives some personal recommendations based on her experience.
Learn about the different types of skin and the anatomical considerations for adapting designs to particular areas of the body. Then, take a look at the specific steps to follow when creating a design, preparing it for the skin, and of course, how to assemble and sterilize the table beforehand to avoid infection.
The next step is transferring your design to the surface of the skin by practicing different techniques for outlining, filling, pointillism, and shading and taking into consideration materials, voltage, and wrist movements to achieve the desired results.
Wrap up the course seeing how to correctly disassemble the table following maintenance and hygiene guidelines. Florencia also gives some final tips on advising your client both before and after getting their tattoo.
What is this course's project?
Tattoo an orange as a simulation of the real thing and begin your journey as a tattoo artist.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in getting started in the art of tattooing and learning the fundamental tricks of the trade.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary for this course.
As you’re just getting started you need a range of tools and materials such as kitchen towels, glycerin soap, a spray bottle for water, vinyl gloves, adhesive tape, cling film, petroleum jelly, tattoo paper, Transfer cream or Stencil Stuff, India or tattoo ink, elastic bands, a tattoo machine, line and filling needles, a clip cord or connection cable, a power source for the machine, and a disposable or steel grip.
Reviews
- 28 days ago
Polila is an excellent teacher, and I feel like i've gained so much knowledge from her course as a total beginner. I'm excited to start tattooing with what i've learned!
- 28 days ago
Excelente me parece un gran curso para alguien que va comenzando a adentrarse a mundo del tatuajes
- 1 month ago
This course is just what ive been looking for. Many tattoo shops in my area refused to help me, saying that my loss of my fingers makes it impossible to hold the machine steady, but I refuse to believe that. She makes it easy to understand, clearly explains everything and makes it fun to learn. Thank you!
- 2 months ago
CURSO BASICO PERO EXCELENTEMENTE EXPLICADO. ME AYUDÓ MUCHO COMO PRINCIPIANTE.
- 2 months ago
esta bien explicado, se proporciona bien la información tanto teórica como practica. Excelente para aclarar dudas para quienes estamos iniciando e iniciar con practicas
Co-founder of Estudio El Bosque in Santiago (Chile), Polilla’s graphic style is full of floral motifs, leading her to work with major brands like Caterpillar, Marley Coffee, and Levi's, as well as tattoo studios across the United States.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What will we do in the course?
- U2
Beginning to tattoo, history, styles, materials and advice
- History of the tattoo, types, styles and their evolution
- How to assemble your first basic or professional kit
- Materials (part 1)
- Materials (part 2)
- U3
Preparation of the design and tattoo table
- Skin types and anatomical considerations before tattooing
- Creation of the design (part 1)
- Creation of the design (part 2)
- Table preparation and hygiene
- U4
Beginning to tattoo, techniques, filling and lines
- Outlined (part 1)
- Outlined (part 2)
- Filling
- Pointillism and dotwork shading techniques
- How to dismantle the table and recommendations for care
- FP
Final project
- Tattoo for Beginners
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
The course is intermediate level, perfect for those with basic drawing or tattoo knowledge who want to refine techniques and styles like dotwork, shading, and character creation.
You’ll need a tattoo machine (coil or rotary), needles, inks, nitrile gloves, artificial skin or fruit, power supplies, and hygiene materials like petroleum jelly and protective plastics.
You’ll learn outlining, shading, dotwork, creating humanized characters, botanical design, manga and Harajuku inspiration, workspace setup, biosecurity, and adapting designs to anatomy.
The course covers styles like botanical, neo-traditional, color realism, Japanese oriental, contemporary tribal, dotwork, and watercolor simulation techniques.
You’ll learn to analyze anatomy and body movement to adapt flowers and characters, achieving harmony and durability on both curved and flat surfaces.
Coil machines offer more power and control for thick lines, while rotary machines are lighter and more versatile, great for shading and fine details. The course explains their uses and benefits.
Yes, you can practice on artificial skin or fruit. It’s essential to wear gloves, disinfect tools, cover surfaces, and follow hygiene protocols to prevent contamination.