About Course
Fine Line Tattoo Foundation Training
This fine line tattoo course is foundation-level training for artists who wish to learn black and grey fine line tattooing in Libby Wells’ signature style.
The course is suited to artists looking to expand their skill set by adding fine line, black and grey tattooing to their existing practice. Applicants are expected to submit a high-quality portfolio demonstrating strong artistic ability. All portfolios are reviewed as part of a selective assessment process to ensure the course is a good fit for each participant.
Course Phases & Learning Structure
Phase One: Theory & Guided Practice
This phase is delivered through the online learning portal and includes:
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12 modules
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Over 60 structured lessons
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Practical exercises and self-assessment tasks
This stage is designed to build a strong understanding of fine line tattooing principles, technique, and artistic approach.
Phase Two: In-Person 1-2-1 Masterclasses
Participants attend one-to-one workshops with Libby Wells, focused on reviewing and developing practical skills on live models over three days.
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Sessions may be taken consecutively (ideal for overseas students) or spaced over a three-month period
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Emphasis is placed on hands-on learning, observation, feedback, and skill refinement
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Each day includes guided review and goal-setting to support progress
Phase Three: Case Studies & Ongoing Development
Participants complete case studies within their own workspace.
All work is submitted for review, with personalised feedback provided to support continued development.
Completion is typically expected to take between 6 months and 1 year, depending on individual pace and availability.
Course Philosophy
This training has been developed over several years by Libby Wells. Her techniques have been carefully broken down and rebuilt into a clear, modular learning structure, offering a strategic and in-depth approach to fine line tattooing.
Libby’s teaching reflects a holistic approach to learning, combining detailed theory with practical application across a broad range of topics relevant to fine line tattoo artists.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
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A minimum of 5 GCSEs (A–C), including Art
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Submission of a professional artist portfolio (minimum of 10 pieces)
Course Content
Welcome to Foundation Fine Line Training
A welcome to your training plan
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Welcome
03:38 -
Shopping List
00:00
Health and Safety
The topics covered in this Module,
Equipment, Setting up, breaking down, Hygiene and Safeguarding.
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Equipment Intro
06:25 -
Tattoo Equipment
13:43 -
Stencil Equipment
07:17 -
Equipment Quiz
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Hygiene
05:21 -
Safeguarding
05:53 -
Hygiene & Safeguarding Quiz
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Setting Up
10:41 -
Breaking Down
07:26 -
Waste Removal
02:01 -
Waste Removal Quiz
Tattoo Theory
The Topics covered in this Module are
What is tattooing?, fine line FAQs and Protectionism.
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What is Tattooing?
04:40 -
What is Tattooing Quiz
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History of Tattooing
08:00 -
History of Tattooing Quiz
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Fine Line FAQs
06:48 -
FAQs Quiz
Business Management
The Topics covered in this Module are Insurance, licencing, Booking in, Client Experience and Conflict avoidance, waste removal, premises options, building online presence.
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License & Insurance
02:17 -
Booking In
04:23 -
Booking In Quiz
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Terms and Conditions Examples
00:00 -
Client Experience
04:13 -
Reviews Assignment
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Premises Options
02:06 -
Building Online Presence
02:08
Design
Art Language, Artist study, finding textures, tattoo design intro, procreate and contouring
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Art Language
03:50 -
Art Language Quiz
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Drawing intro
02:00 -
Drawing Intro Quiz
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Drawing Assignment
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Artist Study
05:00 -
Artist Study Assignment
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Tattoo Design intro
06:49 -
Procreate
09:21 -
Assignment Procreate Designs
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Contouring
13:15 -
Finding Textures
05:14 -
Assignment Overlay Image
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Sketching realism
00:00
Stencilling
The Topics covered in this Module are, hand stencilling and Digital Stencilling
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Hand Stencilling
07:56 -
Digital Stencilling
20:57 -
Hand Stencil Assignment
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Stencil Application Assignment
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Digital Designs Assignment
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Rose Stencil
00:00
Skin
The Topics covered in this Module are Skin tones, Difficult skin, skin healing, skin tones, difficult skin, aftercare and split session work.
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Skin Anatomy
07:21 -
Skin Anatomy Quiz
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Skin Healing
06:06 -
Skin Healing Quiz
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Skin Tones
04:36 -
Skin Tones Quiz
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Difficult Skin
06:11 -
Difficult Skin Quiz
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Split Session Work
03:03 -
Split Session Work Quiz
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Type & Tone
00:00
Equipment
The topics covered in this Module are needles, machines, positioning your client, wrapping a machine, 3rl compare and printers
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Needles
21:34 -
Needles Quiz
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Liners Compared
06:24 -
Machines
03:44 -
Tattoo Machine Quiz
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Ink Ratios
05:29 -
Ink Ratios Quiz
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Positioning Your Client
07:04 -
Wrapping Your Machine
02:55 -
PDF machine set up
00:00 -
Printer
02:49
Techniques
The Topics covered in this Module are, Etching, Etching pt2, Etching pt3, Stippling, Stippling pt2, Stippling pt3, Creating Depth, Seamless Transitions, Gradients, Stretching and Value choices.
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Techniques we use
02:49 -
Techniques Quiz
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Etching
11:15 -
Etching pt 2
15:15 -
Etching pt 3
05:43 -
Fake Skin Practice
01:35 -
Etching prep 300 lines- Assignment
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Etching Assignment
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Stippling
04:16 -
Stippling pt 2
06:18 -
Stippling pt 3
08:11 -
Stippling Assignment
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Creating Depth
05:51 -
Creating Depth Quiz
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Depth Creating Assignment
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Gradients
17:26 -
Seamless Transitions
04:41 -
Seemless transitions Assignment
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Streching
12:00 -
Stretching Quiz
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Stretching Assignment
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Value Choice
10:50 -
Value choice Assignment
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Brush lines
00:00
Clients
The Topics covered in this Module are Client profiling, Body Language, Attitude and Pain management
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Consultation
02:45 -
Consultation Quiz
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Client Profiling
07:58 -
Shadow work Assignment
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Pain Management
10:11 -
Pain management Quiz
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Create your own Disclaimer form
Aftercare
The Topics covered in the Module are Aftercare routine, Healed results, and Complications.
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Aftercare Routine
09:17 -
Aftercare Quiz
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Healed Results
03:00 -
Complications
05:36 -
Complications Quiz
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Healed Work
00:00
Personal Management
The Topics covered in this Module are, Mental Health, Artist wear and tear, rival assault and Shadow Work.
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Mental Health
08:14 -
Personal Appraisal
08:02
Trouble Shooting
The Topics covered in this Module are, Troubleshooting and what went wrong?
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Trouble Shooting
02:37 -
What Went Wrong?
07:53 -
Medical Issues
06:51 -
Medical Issues Quiz
Summary
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Key Learning Points
02:32 -
Demo Stencil cut out
02:00 -
Demo Stencil Reveal
01:00 -
Demo Part 1
30:00 -
Demo part 2
08:00 -
Demo part 3
80:00 -
Recap 3 main techniques
00:00 -
Final Assessments
02:00 -
Demo – Fake Skin – Assignment
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Premises Plan – Assignment
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Policies – Assignment
Phase 2
Introduction into the next phases of the Foundation Fine Line Tattooing course
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Ready to meet?
02:00
Case Studies
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10 x Case Studies Assignment
Action Exercise
Complete this lesson's activities before attending the in person workshops, you will need to bring the latex with you
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Action Exercise
00:00 -
Stipple Shading Exercise
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Brush Line
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Etching Lines
DEMOs
Footage of tattooing
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PMUni Live Demo Replay
00:00 -
Hummingbird Demo
00:00 -
Blue tit | full demo
00:00 -
Lettering
00:00

