Body Art – Tattoo Design

Ages: 18+
Term: Spring
Length: 10 weeks

Overview

On this exciting new course, you’ll rapidly develop your understanding of the creative design process for tattooing and take your design development skills to the next level.

To book your place today, simply click the 'Book Now' button to be taken to AUB's secure online store, where you can complete your booking. You can also sign up to our newsletter for short course updates.

What you need to know

Spring term 2025

Wednesday 5 February – 9 April 2025 (10 Wednesdays, 18.00-21.00)

Please be aware, you’ll be expected to undertake some self-study and additional project work between course sessions to support your development throughout the course. Ensure you'll have time for this.

Age

Suitable for adults aged 18+.

Level

Beginners or anyone with some experience who want to refresh or develop their skills further.

Experience or qualifications required

None – this is an introductory course. We have no formal academic entry requirements for our short courses, however you’ll find it beneficial to have previous experience in drawing or illustration in order to benefit most from this course.

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: shortcourses@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

£349

Any additional costs

You'll need to provide some art materials. This will incur an additional cost if you need to purchase it for the course. See the 'What to bring to class' section below for full details.

Additional materials and resources will be provided by AUB and is included in your course fee.

Please note, you'll be working on AUB iPad tablets using Procreate software; however, you may bring your own if you wish.

Notebook and pens/pencils to make notes
A4 sketchbook
Set of drawing pencils

A student stands painting two cherries in a sketch book.

Suggested Suppliers

Information about resourcing specialist materials/consumables that you may need to bring these with you

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Short Courses FAQs – Evening and Weekend and Saturday Art School

If you have any questions about our Evening and Saturday Short Courses, you may find the answers in here.

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Short Courses booking T&Cs

Please read our Terms and Conditions carefully before booking onto our Evening and Weekend courses.

About this course

Are you looking to pursue a career as a tattooist, or you are a practising tattoo artist seeking to develop your design skills? If so, this course is perfect for you.

This new, exciting part-time course has been developed in collaboration with locally established and acclaimed tattoo artist, Mara Mihalache. Across 10 weeks you’ll be introduced to the essential skills and knowledge that underpin all areas of designing a tattoo for a client.

This course is designed to develop a multitude of skills, from working in collaboration with clients to encapsulate their designs into tattoos, understanding composition, designing for different body areas and much more. As well as learning how to plan and develop your tattoo designs around client requests, you’ll expand on your portfolio and develop your creative visual voice and personal style.

The course approach, facilitated by our industry expert, will provide you with opportunities to take your first steps towards a career in tattoo design – whether you’re seeking to advance your current skills, or wish to retrain and undertake a new career direction. This course is also if you’re looking to start your educational journey prior to taking on an internship and advance to further qualifications.

Introduction into art for tattooing
Working to a customer brief
Colour theory
Drawing from reference material and art boards
Design and composition
Design for different body areas
Repairing existing ink and coverup designs
Use of computer application to support design processes
Looking at design time considerations when costing a tattoo
Developing portfolio and flash sheets
Sketchbook development (recording the process)

At the end of the course you'll:

Have progressed your personal tattooing style
Understand basic colour theory, including complimentary colours
Be able to collaborate with a client and work to a brief
Have experience experimenting with various designs for particular body parts
Understand different design processes in relation to tattooing
Have a firm idea of the area of tattooing that you wish to pursue
Have increased confidence in your own skills and feel inspired
Have boosted creativity and imagination
Possess the foundations to continue creating beyond this course
You can request a certificate to confirm your achievements, providing you've a 100% attendance record. To request a certificate please get in touch with us at shortcourses@aub.ac.uk and confirm your name and the title of course you've completed

Will I be assessed?

No, there's no formal assessment. As the course progresses your tutor will measure your overall performance from your practical tasks, assignments and portfolio work, and will offer essential guidance and feedback, so you know how you're getting on.

Book your place today

Book now

Meet your tutor

A person is smiling at the camera. They have copper red hair.

Mara Mihalache

Mara is a tattooist and illustrator based in Bournemouth with over 15 years' worth of experience working in the tattoo and design sector.

Body art and tattoo design gallery

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your artistic skills with another short course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.