Apprentice Spotlight: From 10 Years in Corporate and Flooring to Tattoo Apprentice, Alex McLean’s Story
About a year and a half ago, Alex McLean was going through one of the hardest stretches of his life. He had lost good friends and family members. In the middle of it, he found his way back to art. He started painting again and practicing tattooing on synthetic skin, and he fell in love with tattooing. That was after about 10 years away from art, spent in corporate work and running his own flooring business. Today, he’s finishing Phase One of Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and heading into Phase Two. We sat down with Alex to hear how he got here.
Key Takeaways
The turning point: After losing friends and family, Alex returned to art and discovered his passion for tattooing.
His background: Private art lessons as a kid and an art TA role in high school, followed by a business degree and 10 years in corporate work and flooring.
Why Ink Different: Tattoo Artists told him he’d have to hang around tattoo shops for years. Ink Different offered structure instead.
His biggest lesson: Draw every day. Even Master Mentors say skipping a couple of weeks can set you back.
What he’s looking forward to: A chair waiting for him at the end, through Ink Different’s guaranteed job offer.
Who Is Alex McLean?
Alex McLean is an Ink Different tattoo apprentice who’s finishing Phase One of the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship.
Art has been part of his life for a long time. He took private art lessons as a kid. In high school, he worked as a teaching assistant for his art teacher.
In college, he majored in business at a liberal arts school. He took a required art class there, and his teacher started sharing his sketches with the other art teachers. One day, they all approached him with the same question: why was he a business major?
Even so, Alex stepped away from art for about 10 years. He worked in corporate jobs and ran his own flooring business.
Why Would Someone Leave a 10-Year Corporate Career?
For Alex, the shift came from loss.
About a year and a half ago, he went through a very hard time. He lost good friends, and he lost family. During that period, he started getting back to his roots in art. He tried different styles and started painting. He also began tattooing on synthetic skin.
He wanted to create something different, something meaningful. And he fell in love with tattooing.
Alex also talks about his years of physical work. He spent a long time using his body to make a living. Tattooing gave him a dream to work toward.
It’s also a human craft, as we explain in why Tattoo Artists are still essential.
What Held Alex Back for So Long?
Alex says the biggest hurdle was confidence. A tattoo is permanent, and that felt like a big risk.
When he used to get tattooed, he thought tattooing would be an awesome career. But it also felt too high-stakes. If you mess up, it’s on someone forever.
Eventually, he reached a point where he decided to go for it. Compared to everything else he’d done in life, he realized he could do this, with the right training.
He also didn’t know how to get started. When he asked Tattoo Artists how they got their tattoo apprenticeships, most told him he’d have to hang around tattoo shops for years and get tattooed a lot to earn a spot.
Pro Tip: Alex’s advice for anyone on the fence is to remember that the right training builds confidence. You don’t need to feel ready before you start.
How Did Alex Actually Start His Tattoo Journey?
Alex started by looking online for a better path, then committing quickly.
Step 1: He researched his options
After hearing about years of hanging around tattoo shops, he went online and found Ink Different. The way the training was broken into phases seemed like the right way to do it. It felt professional, educational, and hands-on.
Step 2: He applied
He requested more information. Soon after, he got an email saying enrollment was about to open and asking him to send in his work. He did. He says it all happened fast.
Step 3: He went to orientation
Alex attended orientation with Janine from the Ink Different team. He learned how many well-known names in the tattoo industry are part of Ink Different, including the Master Mentors. He says it gave him something to strive for.
Step 4: He started Phase One
Phase One is art and design. Alex learned to draw differently, especially for American traditional. He learned to start with simple shapes, like circles, squares, and triangles, and build from there.
He takes classes with as many Mentors as possible. In Phase One, he worked with three, plus a fourth near the end. He says each has their own twist on things. He was also happy to learn they’re all working Tattoo Artists. He says everything about the experience has been a nice surprise.
Step 5: He learned to accept feedback
His Mentors told him his American traditional piece looked a little too neo-traditional, and his neo-traditional piece looked a little too traditional. Their input helped his neo-traditional cat face become a much stronger design. For his new school cat, they told him to keep doing his thing. That cat, from his three-styles assignment, is one of his favorite pieces.
What Does Alex Wish He Knew Sooner?
Alex has learned a lot in Phase One, starting with how differently you have to think about tattoo art.
Tattoo art is a different mindset
He used to sketch freely. Now he has to think a few steps ahead about what a design will look like as a tattoo. His hardest assignment was the very first American traditional piece on paper. The figures are simple, but they have to be strong. He says that’s when his brain switched from art to tattoo art.
Procreate takes time
Alex had never used Procreate. At first, it was frustrating. Once he learned enough to keep going, it became fun. Now he brings his iPad everywhere so he can draw whenever he wants.
Paper had its own challenges. One tiny slip of the pen could ruin an almost perfect sheet. Sometimes he ended up with tall stacks of paper.
Draw every day
His most valuable lesson is to draw every day. Drawing tight lines uses small muscles, and they used to hurt. Now he makes sure he draws at least a little each day.
Ink Different Master Mentor Marcel Oliveira has made the same point. After more than 20 years of tattooing, he went on a two-week vacation to Brazil and didn’t draw. He said it really threw him off. Even Tattoo Artists at the highest level have to keep their skills sharp.
Critiques help
Alex admits there are times he thinks what he’s drawing is terrible. But he says the critiques are always helpful. If you think you’re already the best, he says, you probably won’t work out. If you go in with an open mind, you will.
Keep going when it gets hard
Alex says you can be crushing it, then hit a style your brain hasn’t figured out yet. Suddenly you wonder if you even know how to draw. But if you keep at it, it often turns into one of your best pieces.
How Can You Follow in Alex's Footsteps?
You can follow Alex’s path by finding a structured tattoo apprenticeship and committing to the work.
Step 1: Reconnect with your art. Alex started by painting and practicing on synthetic skin.
Step 2: Look for structure. Instead of waiting years for a tattoo shop to take you on, look for a clear path, like Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship.
Step 3: Learn from many Mentors. Alex says that by the time he finishes, he’ll have learned from 10 to 15 people.
Step 4: Learn tattoo history. Alex attended Ink Different’s tattoo history seminar. He was surprised by how recently most of tattooing’s big shifts happened.
Step 5: Learn from your classmates. Alex loves the group classes. He sees other apprentices’ creative ideas and talks with them to pick their brains.
Step 6: Lean on your support system. Alex says he’ll lean on his girlfriend as he moves into Phase Two.
What Does Ink Different's Training Include?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is an 18 to 24 month, four-phase tattoo apprenticeship that takes beginners to job-ready Tattoo Artists with licensing support.
Get Serious About Your Future With Ink Different Tattoos
Ink Different has trained Tattoo Artists for 15 years. You’ll join a “Good Humans” culture, a supportive community that has your back.
What You Can Expect from Our Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship
Phase One: Art and design, including American traditional, neo-traditional, new school, and Japanese styles, on paper and in Procreate.
Phase Two: Machine practice on synthetic skin before you work on clients. Alex is excited to learn the technical side of needles and skin.
Phase Three: Supervised client work in a tattoo studio.
Phase Four: Building independence and preparing for licensing.
Phases One and Two happen online, with group classes you can join at different times. Phases Three and Four take place in a tattoo studio under a Mentor’s supervision.
Safety is part of every phase, including the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard.
A Career That Comes With Confidence
his is a career that comes with confidence. You’ll finish with job-ready skills, licensing support, and a guaranteed job offer at one of Ink Different’s tattoo studios. Alex says knowing he’ll have a chair waiting at the end is about as good as it gets.
Mentorship That Pushes Your Brand and Skills Further
Once you’ve built your foundation, Ink Different’s Master Mentorship connects you with Master Mentors, including Marcel Oliveira, Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, and Jordi Pla.
Making Tattoo Training Accessible for Everyone
Ink Different offers Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, NYC, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego.
Ready to Write Your Own Story?
Alex McLean found his way back to art during one of the hardest times of his life. Now he’s halfway into a new career. He keeps one picture in mind to stay focused: himself at a tattoo shop, tattooing.
He’s been telling everyone he knows who’s interested in art about Ink Different. He says the program takes tattooing seriously, and it’s the right way to do it.
Ready to become a Tattoo Artist? Apply now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship and start building an AI-proof career with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer. Not sure yet? Fill out our quick questionnaire to see if it’s right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What led Alex McLean to tattooing?
After losing good friends and family members, Alex returned to art. He started painting and practicing tattooing on synthetic skin, and he fell in love with it.
Did Alex have art experience before his tattoo apprenticeship?
Yes. He took private art lessons as a kid and was his high school art teacher’s TA. But no prior art experience is required to join.
What was the hardest part of Phase One for Alex?
His first American traditional piece on paper and learning Procreate for the first time.
How long does the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship take?
Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer.
Who is Marcel Oliveira?
Marcel Oliveira is an Ink Different Master Mentor with more than 20 years of tattooing experience.
Is tattooing an AI-proof career?
Yes. Tattooing depends on hands-on skill and the trust between a Tattoo Artist and a client, which AI can’t replicate.
