Tattoo portfolio help?

I need someone that has had an artistic career to help give me some advice.?

• I am a 19 year old male fresh out of high school, graduated with a dual diploma with 3.5 g.p.a. In the future i would like to be a film director/writer but for now i'm trying to get my first job. So don't say i need to go to college because I am going to. My even start taking online courses in animation for the time being anyways. I have no prior work experience since ive spent most of my time drawing and writing in high school. Im a pretty good artist and i've built up a descent portfolio of some of my best drawings. I've just purchased a bamboo fun tablet and sketchbook pro 2011 and i'm looking to add to my portfolio with the help of this software. I'm also an aspiring tattoo artist and novice painter. I already applied to Best Buy and Gamestop as I am knowledgeable in both electronics and video games. But i would love to have a job that could allow me to not only gain experience in art but can make me some money. So i was thinking along the lines of concept artist or some kind of illustrator, just something that would be related to my interests. My main questions are what software should i use, how to get the job, what i should be working on, any advice at all that you feel to mention. Thanx to everyone that can help, I really appreciate it.

• Answer:

  I know that you're planning to go to college in the future but most professional jobs in the artistic fields will require experience and a strong resume and portfolio of you work. Before you get into college, it's a smart idea to think seriously about what field you would like to go into. Start doing research now, so that you will know what colleges or universities will best suit your career goals. Learn the ups and downs of your career field. Learn what you can expect as an average salary--most young students are often surprised by that. In terms of graphic software, my advice is to conduct research. Find out what the experts use. Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop is often considered some of the industry standards. If you're looking to get into animation, Maya is pretty much the forerunner. In all honesty, the best way to gain practical experience is through college or an internship or mentorship. Even though you may not get paid right away for being an artist, developing your talents and honing your skills any way you can will pay off for you in the long run.