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If you are new to tattooing, curious about it, plan to seek an apprenticeship, or just need a refresh of the basics - this course is designed for you. This is one class in a four part series, each class is cumulative so attendance at all classes is recommended but not required. Lots can still be learned if you attend any single class in the series.
Fundamentals of Tattooing - Grey Shading on Fake Skin is class four of four. In this class you will learn:
The fundamentals of how to shade covering pepper shading, whip shading, and soft grey shading.
How to hold and use your rotary machine for shading
Basics of proper cartridge and ink use for shading
How to properly apply ink to fake skin
THIS IS NOT a class where the instructor or students will be tattooing on real skin. Your instructor will review safety protocols when using tattoo machines but will NOT be teaching Blood Born Pathogen information. It is highly recommended that students seek their own BBP certification before tattooing on real skin. THIS IS NOT an apprenticeship or the precursor to an apprenticeship at Toothpick. If you are in the process of seeking an apprenticeship this is a great class to a start learning fundamentals.
What to Bring:
If you own a rotary machine, please bring it to class that way you can learn to properly use your own machine. If you do not own a rotary machine one will be provided for you to practice with during class.
About your instructor:
Bella Chewning is a writer, artist, and the owner of Toothpick Art Studio. Having studied sculpture at university and having worked professionally in the arts ever since, Bella has now focused her practice on tattooing, writing, and community building under the roof of Toothpick - which opened in September 2025.
If you are new to tattooing, curious about it, plan to seek an apprenticeship, or just need a refresh of the basics - this course is designed for you. This is one class in a four part series, each class is cumulative so attendance at all classes is recommended but not required. Lots can still be learned if you attend any single class in the series.
Fundamentals of Tattooing - Grey Shading on Fake Skin is class four of four. In this class you will learn:
The fundamentals of how to shade covering pepper shading, whip shading, and soft grey shading.
How to hold and use your rotary machine for shading
Basics of proper cartridge and ink use for shading
How to properly apply ink to fake skin
THIS IS NOT a class where the instructor or students will be tattooing on real skin. Your instructor will review safety protocols when using tattoo machines but will NOT be teaching Blood Born Pathogen information. It is highly recommended that students seek their own BBP certification before tattooing on real skin. THIS IS NOT an apprenticeship or the precursor to an apprenticeship at Toothpick. If you are in the process of seeking an apprenticeship this is a great class to a start learning fundamentals.
What to Bring:
If you own a rotary machine, please bring it to class that way you can learn to properly use your own machine. If you do not own a rotary machine one will be provided for you to practice with during class.
About your instructor:
Bella Chewning is a writer, artist, and the owner of Toothpick Art Studio. Having studied sculpture at university and having worked professionally in the arts ever since, Bella has now focused her practice on tattooing, writing, and community building under the roof of Toothpick - which opened in September 2025.