Shading Guide for Beginners - 7 Tattoo Shading Techniques

Summary

Key Points

• The video introduces seven tattoo shading techniques, noting that needle depth (0.5-1.5mm) varies with skin type and location, and artificial skin requires more passes than real skin. 0:14
• The Push Whip Shading technique involves pushing the machine away from the artist with a vertical needle entry, creating a gradient by adjusting depth, and is effective for working away from edges. 0:44
• Common mistakes across techniques include not smoothly pulling the needle out, using too high a voltage, starting too slowly, going too deep, not keeping the needle parallel to the skin, and making uncontrolled movements. 1:50
• Stipple Pepper Whip Shading utilizes a low voltage and fast hand movement to rotate the needle away from its entry point on a rounded axis, resulting in decreased saturation. 2:27
• Scumbling Shading employs small, fast circular motions with a Magnum needle to create light shading, with the texture depending on circle size and pressure, and requires rounded corners to prevent visible edges. 3:36
• Pull Whip Shading, in contrast to push whip, involves pulling the needle towards the artist, which is generally less aggressive on the skin and ideal for creating light shading. 4:01
• Dot Work Shading creates gradients using small dots, with shading determined by dot distance and needle depth, making it a straightforward technique suitable for beginners, though going too deep can cause blowouts. 4:59
• Cross Shading involves shading in two different directions while pulling the needle towards the artist to blend visible needle structures and achieve a softer, net-like effect. 6:40
• Pendulum Shading, highlighted as the most frequently used technique, involves moving the machine evenly back and forth to produce soft, continuous shading in every direction, even with round liner needles for fine details. 7:38