How to Design Tattoos Like Chris Garver

As one of the stars of TLC's "Miami Ink," Chris Garver is known as one of the world's best tattoo artists. Garver's clientele boasts a roster of high-profile celebs, who appreciate his natural artistic talent and high-quality workmanship. Yet, despite his success and long waiting list of eager clients, Chris Garver remains humble when it comes to his impressive tattoo designs.

Instructions

1. Get educated on all forms of art. Garver also has a background in painting and photography, which he honed as a student at The Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Garver's mother, also an artist, encouraged her son's artistic pursuits from an early age.

2. Be prepared to make sacrifices. At just 17-years-old, Chris Garver hawked his bass guitar in order to get the funds to purchase his very own tattoo equipment.

3. Study abroad if you get the chance. Upon invitation, Garver studied in Japan under the tutelage of some of the country's most renowned tattoo artists. In addition to different design techniques, Garver also learned about the symbolism behind various images used in Japanese art, which helps lend accuracy to his designs.

4. Ask your clients questions to get a feel for the type of artwork they have in mind. Garver invites his clients to describe what kind of look and feel they want their tattoo to have and sketches a rough draft on paper of the design while they talk.

5. Set certain standards. Although Garver is adept at a wide variety of images and styles, there are still certain types of tattoos he'll refuse to give. For example, he declines tattoo projects that he thinks another artist would be better at, and he also won't tattoo a client's face or hands.