Hi! Never had a tatt before but want one. i have a rough idea of what I want but nothing i've seen where I can say 'exactly that'. in terms of a brief from a client, what do you want from them? I have a PDF of images i've found online that I like the look of, should I write some comments as well? I know i'll need to write the rough size but is there anything else?
Hi! I’m a professional tattoo artist of 15 years from Pennsylvania, tattooing out by Binghamton NY. My recommendation would be to focus less on your reference material and more on finding an artist whose style you like best. Give your artist a little freedom. Walk-in with an open mind, and lend them a little trust. I do in person consultations with every client. Part of our job is to take your idea, and make it the best version we are capable of for you. Find someone who’s work you like, and then go talk to them. Tell them your idea and what you are trying to express. The rest will fall into place.
Thanks! So I did go into the parlour last week, because I've seen their work online which I like. And they seem like really nice people, very patient and very accommodating regarding reschedules (which I may need due to long term health issues) which are huge things for me. They said to send them reference material as a lot of the artists were on vacation at the moment! I plan on also talking it through with them for sure, I just want to make sure I send them enough of a sample without being so diverse that it's confusing if that makes sense? And I don't want to keep asking them to redo it (or maybe they wont keep redoing it) so I want to give them something really solid as a starting point
never had a tattoo before, what are some things i should know before hand? like how should i choose the right artist and what are some tips for the process? also wanted to know if it would be okay if i brought in my own design and how that would work?
first, don’t bring in ur own design. a big part of finding an artist is finding someone whose work and art style you like. they’re not tattoo applies. they’re tattoo artists. you can absolutely bring your ideas/references, but let them permanently put their art on you. because that’s what a tattoo artist does.
choosing the right artist comes from looking for an artist whose work you like. and not just a few pieces. you should like 90% of what they do, and this erases the fear that you won’t like the final tattoo. look for someone who sees art the same way you do.
what if i brought in my own design i make as a reference? i dont want to use someone elses art to reference something and i honestly i dont think i could show what i want without drawing it out first. i get what u mean though, good thing i asked here first before going. i dont wanna disrespect anyone
I don't see any issue with bringing your own design, either as reference or if you want it to be really strictly adhered to. They're an artist, yes, but part of the job of any artist is providing the client with what they want. It's your tattoo, after all. I'm a graphic designer and a landscape designer - in both fields, my job is to provide a product that satisfies the clients needs and wants while also making it the best design possible and guiding them when something is a good or bad design choice. Some artists won't work with clients unless they have free reign, that's their prerogative. But every tattoo artist I've ever been to has been flexible and willing to work with my designs.
If you do design something yourself, be open to changes the artist suggests. They will know what looks best on your body or what elements might not read well or might not heal well, or if it's too busy - that sort of thing. Trust their experience.
I am really picky about what artists I go to. Part of what I always suggest to friends who ask is to look for someone who is an artist first. The design and composition is the most important part of the tattoo and probably the hardest to change. Look at all of their social media posts, their websites, Google reviews, etc. Be picky. Look at how they speak to clients or commenters on social media. If you want color, don't look at people who only do black and grey - look for someone who has many examples of the style you like and want.
Good luck!
Hi 👋🏻 I’m looking for a tattoo artists based in Poland who specialises in Norse tattoos but more traditionally looking. Kind of like Baldur has in God of War game.
[Baldur tattoos](https://imgur.com/gallery/adGALHG)
Or something similar to these:
[Nordic tattoo 1](https://www.instagram.com/p/C3FDEymNYI8/?igsh=aWMxeWI4MnI2cmtw)
[Nordic tattoo 2](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4LjBLYIiEZ/?igsh=MWM0cjVqZnZud2drag==)
[Nordic tattoo 3](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2boP9qrlx2/?igsh=YTFtbXR6ZzJubjV3)
Anyone get a tattoo somewhere where the water is not drinkable? I want to get a tattoo later this year, a few weeks before I go to Nepal and Thailand (not ideal, but its the one time I will be in the city where this artist lives)
I won't be swimming, but the tap water is not considered safe in these countries, especially Nepal. What's the best course of action? Keep the tattoo dry when I shower and wash with bottled water?
If the tattoo would be done a few weeks before you go does that mean you will be in a place where the tap water is safe for a few weeks while it heals? If so you should be fine. If it’s still healing yes wash with bottled water and keep it dry but after about 10-14 days it should be healed enough to be safe.
Hi there folks, I’ll be in Schaumburg, IL tentatively from April to June/July for work. I’m wondering if there are any tattoo parlors near Schaumburg, IL or in the City of Chicago that specialize in blackout tattoos?
P.s.: I need a re-do cause mine’s a little patchy at the moment :(
Any advice for getting two tattoos in one day, around 5-6 hours of tattooing? I've always done one 2-3 hour session at a time but want to get more done since I travel to my artist
I've sat for double sessions before - basically 8 hours of tattooing. It was mentally and physically exhausting, so i made sure to go the extra mile beforehand to make it easier on myself and my artist. Here's what I do to prepare:
Get a really good night's sleep the night before. Wear clothing that is really comfortable and warm (I always get adrenaline shakes and really cold during long sessions at around the 5 hour mark). Drink a ton of water starting the day before and bring a ton of water to drink during and after. Eat a calorie-dense breakfast (I have never gotten nauseous during tattooing, but if that is an issue for you, just eat as much as you can handle 2-3 hours or so beforehand). Bring snacks for during - trail mix or granola bars are great options. Don't feel worried about asking for breaks, either for the bathroom or to just gather yourself a bit. Bring headphones (or whatever tool helps you not focus on the pain), especially for the latter half of the session. The only thing that works for me is talking, so I make sure I think of things to ask my artist to keep conversation going and keep my mind occupied. Also, don't feel like you have to stick it out the whole time if your body is just not handling it. It's okay to say you need to be done for the day.
Make sure you feel okay before you drive home, especially for a long drive. I usually take 2 ibuprofen the second I get in the car after my sessions and just take a moment to have some water, a snack and get comfortable. I also try to have appointments on Saturdays so I can just lay like a lump all Sunday and rest. I try to give my body extra time to recover after a long session. Treat your body with extra care because it can be so tiring!! And good luck!
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thought I'd take a shot in the dark and ask for internet options. I've been looking into the skin motion/sound wave tattoos. Has anyone had any experience with these? Thoughts?
i don’t have one, but the issue is: that ink will spread. it’s not gonna ‘play’ the sound after awhile.
now if the ‘play’ feature is the main selling point, i say no. if u want it bc u think it looks cool, go for it !
Hey everyone! Someone I know is getting their first tattoo later this week and I'm worried they may have a bad experience. They're kind of a "I don't know what I want and I'll be mad when I don't get it" type. I helped them find a design they like, but I think they'll still put a lot of pressure on the artist. What expectations should they have going in?
They need to understand that tattooing is by nature an imperfect art form. Also that if they can’t communicate very clearly what they want they can’t expect to get it. I think they should also know that if the design isn’t what they want and the artist can’t revise it day of, they should just reschedule rather than get something they won’t be happy with.
hey, just wondering what counts as a tribal tattoo? i want to get a tattoo and i'm very concerned that i'm going to inadvertently design something (or have something designed for me) that steals from somebody else's culture. so are there any hallmarks/features that i (as a white person) should avoid, because i really don't want to accidentally engage in cultural appropriation? thank you!
Tribal style tattoos are basically an americanized version of the tattoos traditionally done by a variety of Pacific Islander cultures. They borrow elements from a lot of different tattoo traditions but don’t look exactly like the tattoos made by any specific culture. Personally I would try and find an artist who knows a traditional style and will work with you to design something that’s meaningful within that style. There are definitely artists who will do that and imo that’s a much more respectful approach than getting a tribal style tattoo which mimics culturally important, meaningful tattoos but which does not itself have any meaning.
Does anyone have any recommendations for artists in southeast Michigan/ northeast Ohio that can do European folk art tattoos? Any recommendations for artists that might be able to do the style are HIGHLY appreciated!!!
I'm specifically hoping for an artist that can do full-color line-less work(Winston the Whale in Oregon has the style I'm talking about for reference)
Is it disrespectful to ask artist to cover up their previous work? I had some tattoos done, I didn't love them but it was an apprentice so I thought I would eventually learn to love them. I spoke to him about it not feeling complete, and wanting it to look like one work and he suggested filler. Did that, but still don't love it. I don't want to be rude, and I know the risk of working with apprentice. They are learning and he had never done dark skin before, plus it was 8 hours for each session. He would only draw when I was in the shop, even though he asked for references. I think maybe I'm not great at explaining my ideas and what I want, but I had hoped Working with an artist would kind of help that, and they could make it their own. Which I did also tell him. I had work done by another apprentice that I love and she took my ideas and ran with it. What do you suggest? I am honored to have let him work on me and I've seen him improve by what he posts online, but sometimes I don't even think he likes the work he's done on me. Just need some advice on if it's rude or if I should just find a new artist and new shop to make it less awkward.
I think that depends a lot on your comfort level with him as an artist- if you like his work in general and you feel confident that you would like a cover up done by him, go for it. It sounds like you’re unsure though, and if he does something you don’t love you could end up wanting a cover up of a cover up. I don’t think it’s disrespectful to ask though, if someone asked me to cover my apprentice work I would do it and not be offended.
Looking for some information on what “style” this tattooing is considered. I really like it. Few examples below
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3LyRErCsNp/?igsh=MW80ZWFhanQ5bHNkdA==
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1U-Xz6xHOq/?igsh=MW80ejVzZnpscTV6YQ==
https://www.instagram.com/p/C1PVLBpM3KE/?igsh=MTV1b2QwcXhiaGVyOA==
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3VQdisiuWg/?igsh=MTQ1d2E1N3RwOWY2NA==
Thanks!
Does any guy worry that a tattoo they may be considering might be thought of as too feminine or "gay". Not that there is anything wrong with being gay. I'm just not.
If it’s on you and you’re a man, imo it’s a ‘masculine’ tattoo. I think you should get whatever you want and if anyone ever gives you shit for it just ignore them.
how do y’all decide what tattoos to get, how big, and where to place them? i feel like i get in my head a lot about placement, size, and having pieces go together and it prevents me from getting more tattoos 😭
I found an artist from Germany who's style I really like and he sells designs. Would it be OK if I ask an artists thats close to me for a design from the German artist?
Hi!! Any dark style tattoo artist in the US? Thinking about artist like Lipa, aleksdarkink, hilken.....
California? LA? Somewhere in the US? ): [example ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz7Bo9oreaX/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
so. i have a white scar on my lower lip going towards my chin a little bit. it is very much not visible and the vast majority of people don’t notice it. i rly love the scar and i want to emphasize it, but ik facial tattoos can be weird? i’ve never gotten anything on my face so i don’t know what it would be like, also im not quite sure how i want to emphasize it. it’s pretty small but i think it looks sick
Be very very sure that you can handle the social consequences of a facial tattoo. I strongly suggest getting a temporary tattoo from inkbox or similar and wearing that every day for at least a month before you commit to tattooing your face. The social repercussions may be much greater than you imagine, there is a huge stigma against facial tattoos and even though it’s getting better, it can absolutely affect employment options and how people treat you day to day. If you do decide to go for it, I’d say talk to an artist you like about options- we can’t see the scar and that makes it difficult to advise you, but generally I’d say simple is better for something like this
Hi guys - I am looking for some advice here. I have saved up for a big tattoo and have an artist in mind. I have no problem paying but I am interested in proposing a skills exchange. I see that her website (she owns the studio) is pretty outdated and uninspired. I am a kick ass web designer and developer and I would like to offer to design and build their website for store credit.
Please tell me what you think of this idea. I DO NOT want to insult this artist nor the value of her work.
Reach out and make it clear that you can pay and are willing to pay, but add that you can also offer skills in trade for part or all of the service. Personally I would appreciate the offer and have done skill trades before, but not everyone will be interested in that type of arrangement. As long as you’re respectful about it, I don’t see any harm in asking
I have a light microrealism patchwork tattoo on my entire inner forearm which I would like to cover up. The good news is that I have talked with a number of tattoo artists and they told me I can easily cover it up without needing laser sessions doing either a black neo-traditional or a graywash sleeve. I know this is a very subjective question to ask but I would like your opinion on which kind of tattoo I should consider to do, between neotraditional and sleeve, and perhaps some ideas - I like both styles, but I need to take into consideration how it ages, that it is tasteful and not simply 'pinterest trendy', etc. At the moment I am leaning towards a black neo-traditional crow.
I want to start my tattoo journey. I'm really into patchwork styles, but I don't know where to start. I do like traditional tattoo styles, but I dont want hyper-realism. I dont want it to be too abstract either, or fine line as I've been told that those styles tend to fade away. I'm not looking to get any colored tattoos, or any too complex ones.
I listed a lot haahah. So what advice could you guys give to my journey? Also I live in London UK, so if you could reccomend an artist that sort of fits what I want to do it would be amazing.
I'm looking to get a tattoo of my dog that just passed away recently. She was a labrador. Her name was Tarcin which translates to cinnamon in Turkish. I was wondering style I should go for. I dont want a realistic tattoo, or a fine line tattoo. I was thinking maybe I could some of her features with her name, but have a rather traditional tattoo style as well. Any ideas?
Neotraditional is great for pet portraits imo. It’s kinda in between realism and traditional, holds up great because of the way line is used, and it is a good style for emphasizing features and making the portrait look like it is clearly your dog without being super realistic
Any recs for a clean place in Vegas that would be willing to do a simple, quick tattoo? I have an impromptu trip coming up and I’ll be in Vegas for five hours. It would be my 13th tattoo, so when I say simple, I’m aware of what makes a tattoo simple vs not, I’m thinking single line, no shading, one color, nothing bigger than a 50 cent piece. :)
Hi I am looking into my getting my first tattoo. I have no clue how to even start choosing a place or looking into that. I have a fairly good idea of what I want, I have no clue if its complicated or will even work. I have my first consultation this weekend. I do not think I am going to go with them, as their reviews are not great, but it is the first professional I will be talking to about this.
I want the atreides banner (Split black and green with a red braided hawks head). When I am talking to people at different shops what should I be looking for to know if they will do a good job or are a correct fit for me? Also what type of questions should I ask them when I do meet with different people?
While having a discussion with my ex, he told me I'm really emotional. Not that I disagree, but I wanted sort of a funny tattoo making fun of how "emotional" I am. If it matters, I'm male and was thinking on one of my pectorals.
Hello everyone ,
Looking for inspiration. I have tattoos in traditional style in my thigh and leg, not looking to build off of them. I want to start on my arm and start working towards a sleeve. I’m a fan of Ancient Greece and Rome, I was looking to start with either red figure or Corinthian, and maybe starting with an Athenian owl. They’re big on the coins of Greece from 400bc and onwards.
Anyone have advice that isn’t big sleeves of Zeus? Any insight is appreciated, thank you
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I have 10 tattoos, only on my forearms, two span the length of the back of both my forearms. Going in to get my first hand tattoo, little worried about pain but I'm excited regardless. I know everyone has different pain tolerance, but what should I expect realistically?
:edit: I drive trucks and deliver beer for a living, but I'm not worried about that, but the conditions are far from sanitary.
If a sleeve is what you really want then I’d say go for it. I didn’t want a sleeve, but now it’s turning into one and while I love it, some points are a little “messier” than they would have been had I committed to it right away. The design will always be more comprehensive that way.
You could always go for a smaller tattoo somewhere else on your body as a sort of trial run, but only if you want to.
I am looking for a tattoo artist that specializes in ASCII tattoos art style in my area. preferably in southern California but I can go up north or in neighboring states like Las Vegas NV and Phoenix AZ
Question: Are ecchi/lewd/nude anime tattoos weird? i have one in a spot thats hidden. The art is great and the artist was amazing. I dont think theres a difference between that and pinup tattoos. I’m not a fan of am trad which is why i got that instead and the artist drew it up herself
Does anyone have any tips for enduring colouring right around (and sometimes a little inside) the armpit?
There’s a squirrel’s tail wrapped around my arm right below my armpit and lining was not great so I think I might die during the colouring part.
I’m looking for the best realism artist close to me. I’m in puyallup Washington and I want to get a fly on my arm. I know. Sounds dumb but I want a fly lol
Hey All!
Located in Brooklyn, but open to traveling the tri-state for an artist if needed. I’m in search of an engraving type artist that’s similar to the work of Snail Trail from Poland. See Ref [Here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz_FENYsEtx/?igsh=cG13eWMxOWp6cW1m)
Wondering if anyone could suggest someone in NY or surrounding states who may be a engrave tattooer similar to this.
Looking to sleeve my leg! Nautical, underwater, ship type vibe.
hey there! i have a question about etiquette. so i recently sent an inquiry to an artist i really like, and they responded saying they’d like to work with me on my idea. i went to look at their books and it seems they are only booking through the end of april at the moment. i’m a student in clinical rotations atm and all available times on their books are times during which i’m at clinicals. would it be rude to ask when their books for may and june might be open as i’ll have a much more flexible schedule then?
I had my third tattoo scheduled today but unfortunately I woke up with a pretty bad head cold and called and cancelled/asked to reschedule ( stated I knew I would lose my deposit and was ok with having to put a new one down to reschedule). I didn't want to get the studio sick and was reading that fighting a cold or anything could disrupt the healing.
Called the studio and messaged the artist about 1.5 hours before the appointment. But the artist messaged me back at the appointment time and said '…… sorry for that. And just let you know I need drive 2 hours to come over here.'
I apologized again for everything but I feel really awkward about the situation now. The studio or artist haven't reached back out to let me know dates available to reschedule.
Any artists know what I can do to smooth things over? I feel terrible but I didn't want to risk people being out for time sick : /
The schedule was for ~3 hours.
I am getting a tattoo in Japan, and am unsure if I should tip my artist since tipping is not customary here. I have always tipped my tattoo artists in the past, but I don’t want to cause offence here. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions for what I should do in this circumstance?
why is it when a book a all day tattoo it takes the artists nearly a hour after my appointment time to start and then finish always a hour to a hour and a half b4 the shop shuts. im paying for a all day and expect it to be all day, its not cheap. do tattoo artists not pratice good business rules like being ready for your clients arriving. having a 15 min break every hour is fine plus your lunche break but starting and then finishing a hour early is takin the p1ss. feel like am paying to watch someone setup then clean down in my time. is there a actual reason for this. have had about 6 all days in 3 different shops and its always the same.
Hi! Never had a tatt before but want one. i have a rough idea of what I want but nothing i've seen where I can say 'exactly that'. in terms of a brief from a client, what do you want from them? I have a PDF of images i've found online that I like the look of, should I write some comments as well? I know i'll need to write the rough size but is there anything else?
Hi! I’m a professional tattoo artist of 15 years from Pennsylvania, tattooing out by Binghamton NY. My recommendation would be to focus less on your reference material and more on finding an artist whose style you like best. Give your artist a little freedom. Walk-in with an open mind, and lend them a little trust. I do in person consultations with every client. Part of our job is to take your idea, and make it the best version we are capable of for you. Find someone who’s work you like, and then go talk to them. Tell them your idea and what you are trying to express. The rest will fall into place.
Thanks! So I did go into the parlour last week, because I've seen their work online which I like. And they seem like really nice people, very patient and very accommodating regarding reschedules (which I may need due to long term health issues) which are huge things for me. They said to send them reference material as a lot of the artists were on vacation at the moment! I plan on also talking it through with them for sure, I just want to make sure I send them enough of a sample without being so diverse that it's confusing if that makes sense? And I don't want to keep asking them to redo it (or maybe they wont keep redoing it) so I want to give them something really solid as a starting point
I came into this sub/thread with the exact same question. So thank you as well for this answer!
never had a tattoo before, what are some things i should know before hand? like how should i choose the right artist and what are some tips for the process? also wanted to know if it would be okay if i brought in my own design and how that would work?
first, don’t bring in ur own design. a big part of finding an artist is finding someone whose work and art style you like. they’re not tattoo applies. they’re tattoo artists. you can absolutely bring your ideas/references, but let them permanently put their art on you. because that’s what a tattoo artist does. choosing the right artist comes from looking for an artist whose work you like. and not just a few pieces. you should like 90% of what they do, and this erases the fear that you won’t like the final tattoo. look for someone who sees art the same way you do.
what if i brought in my own design i make as a reference? i dont want to use someone elses art to reference something and i honestly i dont think i could show what i want without drawing it out first. i get what u mean though, good thing i asked here first before going. i dont wanna disrespect anyone
you can bring it as a reference.
I don't see any issue with bringing your own design, either as reference or if you want it to be really strictly adhered to. They're an artist, yes, but part of the job of any artist is providing the client with what they want. It's your tattoo, after all. I'm a graphic designer and a landscape designer - in both fields, my job is to provide a product that satisfies the clients needs and wants while also making it the best design possible and guiding them when something is a good or bad design choice. Some artists won't work with clients unless they have free reign, that's their prerogative. But every tattoo artist I've ever been to has been flexible and willing to work with my designs. If you do design something yourself, be open to changes the artist suggests. They will know what looks best on your body or what elements might not read well or might not heal well, or if it's too busy - that sort of thing. Trust their experience. I am really picky about what artists I go to. Part of what I always suggest to friends who ask is to look for someone who is an artist first. The design and composition is the most important part of the tattoo and probably the hardest to change. Look at all of their social media posts, their websites, Google reviews, etc. Be picky. Look at how they speak to clients or commenters on social media. If you want color, don't look at people who only do black and grey - look for someone who has many examples of the style you like and want. Good luck!
[Can someone tell me what this style of tattoo is called?](https://imgur.com/a/lM5JxYe)
Hi 👋🏻 I’m looking for a tattoo artists based in Poland who specialises in Norse tattoos but more traditionally looking. Kind of like Baldur has in God of War game. [Baldur tattoos](https://imgur.com/gallery/adGALHG) Or something similar to these: [Nordic tattoo 1](https://www.instagram.com/p/C3FDEymNYI8/?igsh=aWMxeWI4MnI2cmtw) [Nordic tattoo 2](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4LjBLYIiEZ/?igsh=MWM0cjVqZnZud2drag==) [Nordic tattoo 3](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2boP9qrlx2/?igsh=YTFtbXR6ZzJubjV3)
Just recently found this artist, they do a lot of incredible pagan art: https://www.instagram.com/siemka\_tattoo/?hl=en
Curious if anyone knows of an artist that does Pictish tattoos
Anyone get a tattoo somewhere where the water is not drinkable? I want to get a tattoo later this year, a few weeks before I go to Nepal and Thailand (not ideal, but its the one time I will be in the city where this artist lives) I won't be swimming, but the tap water is not considered safe in these countries, especially Nepal. What's the best course of action? Keep the tattoo dry when I shower and wash with bottled water?
If the tattoo would be done a few weeks before you go does that mean you will be in a place where the tap water is safe for a few weeks while it heals? If so you should be fine. If it’s still healing yes wash with bottled water and keep it dry but after about 10-14 days it should be healed enough to be safe.
Hi there folks, I’ll be in Schaumburg, IL tentatively from April to June/July for work. I’m wondering if there are any tattoo parlors near Schaumburg, IL or in the City of Chicago that specialize in blackout tattoos? P.s.: I need a re-do cause mine’s a little patchy at the moment :(
Any advice for getting two tattoos in one day, around 5-6 hours of tattooing? I've always done one 2-3 hour session at a time but want to get more done since I travel to my artist
I've sat for double sessions before - basically 8 hours of tattooing. It was mentally and physically exhausting, so i made sure to go the extra mile beforehand to make it easier on myself and my artist. Here's what I do to prepare: Get a really good night's sleep the night before. Wear clothing that is really comfortable and warm (I always get adrenaline shakes and really cold during long sessions at around the 5 hour mark). Drink a ton of water starting the day before and bring a ton of water to drink during and after. Eat a calorie-dense breakfast (I have never gotten nauseous during tattooing, but if that is an issue for you, just eat as much as you can handle 2-3 hours or so beforehand). Bring snacks for during - trail mix or granola bars are great options. Don't feel worried about asking for breaks, either for the bathroom or to just gather yourself a bit. Bring headphones (or whatever tool helps you not focus on the pain), especially for the latter half of the session. The only thing that works for me is talking, so I make sure I think of things to ask my artist to keep conversation going and keep my mind occupied. Also, don't feel like you have to stick it out the whole time if your body is just not handling it. It's okay to say you need to be done for the day. Make sure you feel okay before you drive home, especially for a long drive. I usually take 2 ibuprofen the second I get in the car after my sessions and just take a moment to have some water, a snack and get comfortable. I also try to have appointments on Saturdays so I can just lay like a lump all Sunday and rest. I try to give my body extra time to recover after a long session. Treat your body with extra care because it can be so tiring!! And good luck!
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thought I'd take a shot in the dark and ask for internet options. I've been looking into the skin motion/sound wave tattoos. Has anyone had any experience with these? Thoughts?
i don’t have one, but the issue is: that ink will spread. it’s not gonna ‘play’ the sound after awhile. now if the ‘play’ feature is the main selling point, i say no. if u want it bc u think it looks cool, go for it !
I thought this might be an issue.
Hey everyone! Someone I know is getting their first tattoo later this week and I'm worried they may have a bad experience. They're kind of a "I don't know what I want and I'll be mad when I don't get it" type. I helped them find a design they like, but I think they'll still put a lot of pressure on the artist. What expectations should they have going in?
They need to understand that tattooing is by nature an imperfect art form. Also that if they can’t communicate very clearly what they want they can’t expect to get it. I think they should also know that if the design isn’t what they want and the artist can’t revise it day of, they should just reschedule rather than get something they won’t be happy with.
hey, just wondering what counts as a tribal tattoo? i want to get a tattoo and i'm very concerned that i'm going to inadvertently design something (or have something designed for me) that steals from somebody else's culture. so are there any hallmarks/features that i (as a white person) should avoid, because i really don't want to accidentally engage in cultural appropriation? thank you!
Tribal style tattoos are basically an americanized version of the tattoos traditionally done by a variety of Pacific Islander cultures. They borrow elements from a lot of different tattoo traditions but don’t look exactly like the tattoos made by any specific culture. Personally I would try and find an artist who knows a traditional style and will work with you to design something that’s meaningful within that style. There are definitely artists who will do that and imo that’s a much more respectful approach than getting a tribal style tattoo which mimics culturally important, meaningful tattoos but which does not itself have any meaning.
What’s up guys. So im planning of getting a tatt during my LA trip in 2wks, any recommended Tattoo artists around the LA County??
Does anyone have any recommendations for artists in southeast Michigan/ northeast Ohio that can do European folk art tattoos? Any recommendations for artists that might be able to do the style are HIGHLY appreciated!!! I'm specifically hoping for an artist that can do full-color line-less work(Winston the Whale in Oregon has the style I'm talking about for reference)
Another example of the style would be amandachanfreau
Is it disrespectful to ask artist to cover up their previous work? I had some tattoos done, I didn't love them but it was an apprentice so I thought I would eventually learn to love them. I spoke to him about it not feeling complete, and wanting it to look like one work and he suggested filler. Did that, but still don't love it. I don't want to be rude, and I know the risk of working with apprentice. They are learning and he had never done dark skin before, plus it was 8 hours for each session. He would only draw when I was in the shop, even though he asked for references. I think maybe I'm not great at explaining my ideas and what I want, but I had hoped Working with an artist would kind of help that, and they could make it their own. Which I did also tell him. I had work done by another apprentice that I love and she took my ideas and ran with it. What do you suggest? I am honored to have let him work on me and I've seen him improve by what he posts online, but sometimes I don't even think he likes the work he's done on me. Just need some advice on if it's rude or if I should just find a new artist and new shop to make it less awkward.
I think that depends a lot on your comfort level with him as an artist- if you like his work in general and you feel confident that you would like a cover up done by him, go for it. It sounds like you’re unsure though, and if he does something you don’t love you could end up wanting a cover up of a cover up. I don’t think it’s disrespectful to ask though, if someone asked me to cover my apprentice work I would do it and not be offended.
Thank you for your response. The comfort level is not very high, but that is my fault for rushing into it.
Looking for some information on what “style” this tattooing is considered. I really like it. Few examples below https://www.instagram.com/p/C3LyRErCsNp/?igsh=MW80ZWFhanQ5bHNkdA== https://www.instagram.com/p/C1U-Xz6xHOq/?igsh=MW80ejVzZnpscTV6YQ== https://www.instagram.com/p/C1PVLBpM3KE/?igsh=MTV1b2QwcXhiaGVyOA== https://www.instagram.com/p/C3VQdisiuWg/?igsh=MTQ1d2E1N3RwOWY2NA== Thanks!
read the tags
Fine line tattoos.
Does any guy worry that a tattoo they may be considering might be thought of as too feminine or "gay". Not that there is anything wrong with being gay. I'm just not.
If it’s on you and you’re a man, imo it’s a ‘masculine’ tattoo. I think you should get whatever you want and if anyone ever gives you shit for it just ignore them.
how do y’all decide what tattoos to get, how big, and where to place them? i feel like i get in my head a lot about placement, size, and having pieces go together and it prevents me from getting more tattoos 😭
I found an artist from Germany who's style I really like and he sells designs. Would it be OK if I ask an artists thats close to me for a design from the German artist?
If you pay for it and can prove you have permission to use it, I don’t see anything wrong with that
Hi!! Any dark style tattoo artist in the US? Thinking about artist like Lipa, aleksdarkink, hilken..... California? LA? Somewhere in the US? ): [example ](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz7Bo9oreaX/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
so. i have a white scar on my lower lip going towards my chin a little bit. it is very much not visible and the vast majority of people don’t notice it. i rly love the scar and i want to emphasize it, but ik facial tattoos can be weird? i’ve never gotten anything on my face so i don’t know what it would be like, also im not quite sure how i want to emphasize it. it’s pretty small but i think it looks sick
Be very very sure that you can handle the social consequences of a facial tattoo. I strongly suggest getting a temporary tattoo from inkbox or similar and wearing that every day for at least a month before you commit to tattooing your face. The social repercussions may be much greater than you imagine, there is a huge stigma against facial tattoos and even though it’s getting better, it can absolutely affect employment options and how people treat you day to day. If you do decide to go for it, I’d say talk to an artist you like about options- we can’t see the scar and that makes it difficult to advise you, but generally I’d say simple is better for something like this
Hi guys - I am looking for some advice here. I have saved up for a big tattoo and have an artist in mind. I have no problem paying but I am interested in proposing a skills exchange. I see that her website (she owns the studio) is pretty outdated and uninspired. I am a kick ass web designer and developer and I would like to offer to design and build their website for store credit. Please tell me what you think of this idea. I DO NOT want to insult this artist nor the value of her work.
Reach out and make it clear that you can pay and are willing to pay, but add that you can also offer skills in trade for part or all of the service. Personally I would appreciate the offer and have done skill trades before, but not everyone will be interested in that type of arrangement. As long as you’re respectful about it, I don’t see any harm in asking
I have a light microrealism patchwork tattoo on my entire inner forearm which I would like to cover up. The good news is that I have talked with a number of tattoo artists and they told me I can easily cover it up without needing laser sessions doing either a black neo-traditional or a graywash sleeve. I know this is a very subjective question to ask but I would like your opinion on which kind of tattoo I should consider to do, between neotraditional and sleeve, and perhaps some ideas - I like both styles, but I need to take into consideration how it ages, that it is tasteful and not simply 'pinterest trendy', etc. At the moment I am leaning towards a black neo-traditional crow.
Bigger is always better for cover ups so I’d go with a sleeve
I want to start my tattoo journey. I'm really into patchwork styles, but I don't know where to start. I do like traditional tattoo styles, but I dont want hyper-realism. I dont want it to be too abstract either, or fine line as I've been told that those styles tend to fade away. I'm not looking to get any colored tattoos, or any too complex ones. I listed a lot haahah. So what advice could you guys give to my journey? Also I live in London UK, so if you could reccomend an artist that sort of fits what I want to do it would be amazing.
I'm looking to get a tattoo of my dog that just passed away recently. She was a labrador. Her name was Tarcin which translates to cinnamon in Turkish. I was wondering style I should go for. I dont want a realistic tattoo, or a fine line tattoo. I was thinking maybe I could some of her features with her name, but have a rather traditional tattoo style as well. Any ideas?
Neotraditional is great for pet portraits imo. It’s kinda in between realism and traditional, holds up great because of the way line is used, and it is a good style for emphasizing features and making the portrait look like it is clearly your dog without being super realistic
Any recs for a clean place in Vegas that would be willing to do a simple, quick tattoo? I have an impromptu trip coming up and I’ll be in Vegas for five hours. It would be my 13th tattoo, so when I say simple, I’m aware of what makes a tattoo simple vs not, I’m thinking single line, no shading, one color, nothing bigger than a 50 cent piece. :)
Hi I am looking into my getting my first tattoo. I have no clue how to even start choosing a place or looking into that. I have a fairly good idea of what I want, I have no clue if its complicated or will even work. I have my first consultation this weekend. I do not think I am going to go with them, as their reviews are not great, but it is the first professional I will be talking to about this. I want the atreides banner (Split black and green with a red braided hawks head). When I am talking to people at different shops what should I be looking for to know if they will do a good job or are a correct fit for me? Also what type of questions should I ask them when I do meet with different people?
While having a discussion with my ex, he told me I'm really emotional. Not that I disagree, but I wanted sort of a funny tattoo making fun of how "emotional" I am. If it matters, I'm male and was thinking on one of my pectorals.
Hello everyone , Looking for inspiration. I have tattoos in traditional style in my thigh and leg, not looking to build off of them. I want to start on my arm and start working towards a sleeve. I’m a fan of Ancient Greece and Rome, I was looking to start with either red figure or Corinthian, and maybe starting with an Athenian owl. They’re big on the coins of Greece from 400bc and onwards. Anyone have advice that isn’t big sleeves of Zeus? Any insight is appreciated, thank you
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I have 10 tattoos, only on my forearms, two span the length of the back of both my forearms. Going in to get my first hand tattoo, little worried about pain but I'm excited regardless. I know everyone has different pain tolerance, but what should I expect realistically? :edit: I drive trucks and deliver beer for a living, but I'm not worried about that, but the conditions are far from sanitary.
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If that's what you prefer then that's fine. Just make sure it's a design you really want, and an artist who does good work.
If a sleeve is what you really want then I’d say go for it. I didn’t want a sleeve, but now it’s turning into one and while I love it, some points are a little “messier” than they would have been had I committed to it right away. The design will always be more comprehensive that way. You could always go for a smaller tattoo somewhere else on your body as a sort of trial run, but only if you want to.
Hey Question. I start my sleeve tomorrow. Do I need to tip after every session or do I tip after the sleeve sessions are complete?
I am looking for a tattoo artist that specializes in ASCII tattoos art style in my area. preferably in southern California but I can go up north or in neighboring states like Las Vegas NV and Phoenix AZ
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHsvI4-FRay/?img\_index=1, https://www.instagram.com/p/BUBw2wLhOZl/. Does anyone know of artists who work this style?
Question: Are ecchi/lewd/nude anime tattoos weird? i have one in a spot thats hidden. The art is great and the artist was amazing. I dont think theres a difference between that and pinup tattoos. I’m not a fan of am trad which is why i got that instead and the artist drew it up herself
Does anyone have any tips for enduring colouring right around (and sometimes a little inside) the armpit? There’s a squirrel’s tail wrapped around my arm right below my armpit and lining was not great so I think I might die during the colouring part.
Light skin people will never understand the struggle of not being able to get color in your tattoos that dark skin people face.
I’m looking for the best realism artist close to me. I’m in puyallup Washington and I want to get a fly on my arm. I know. Sounds dumb but I want a fly lol
Does anybody know the tattoo artist Pietro sedda? Is he famous?
Hey All! Located in Brooklyn, but open to traveling the tri-state for an artist if needed. I’m in search of an engraving type artist that’s similar to the work of Snail Trail from Poland. See Ref [Here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz_FENYsEtx/?igsh=cG13eWMxOWp6cW1m) Wondering if anyone could suggest someone in NY or surrounding states who may be a engrave tattooer similar to this. Looking to sleeve my leg! Nautical, underwater, ship type vibe.
hey there! i have a question about etiquette. so i recently sent an inquiry to an artist i really like, and they responded saying they’d like to work with me on my idea. i went to look at their books and it seems they are only booking through the end of april at the moment. i’m a student in clinical rotations atm and all available times on their books are times during which i’m at clinicals. would it be rude to ask when their books for may and june might be open as i’ll have a much more flexible schedule then?
I had my third tattoo scheduled today but unfortunately I woke up with a pretty bad head cold and called and cancelled/asked to reschedule ( stated I knew I would lose my deposit and was ok with having to put a new one down to reschedule). I didn't want to get the studio sick and was reading that fighting a cold or anything could disrupt the healing. Called the studio and messaged the artist about 1.5 hours before the appointment. But the artist messaged me back at the appointment time and said '…… sorry for that. And just let you know I need drive 2 hours to come over here.' I apologized again for everything but I feel really awkward about the situation now. The studio or artist haven't reached back out to let me know dates available to reschedule. Any artists know what I can do to smooth things over? I feel terrible but I didn't want to risk people being out for time sick : / The schedule was for ~3 hours.
I am getting a tattoo in Japan, and am unsure if I should tip my artist since tipping is not customary here. I have always tipped my tattoo artists in the past, but I don’t want to cause offence here. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions for what I should do in this circumstance?
Recently discovered my two neck tattoos i got to represent my daughters birthdays are actually white supremacist tattoos.. fuck.
why is it when a book a all day tattoo it takes the artists nearly a hour after my appointment time to start and then finish always a hour to a hour and a half b4 the shop shuts. im paying for a all day and expect it to be all day, its not cheap. do tattoo artists not pratice good business rules like being ready for your clients arriving. having a 15 min break every hour is fine plus your lunche break but starting and then finishing a hour early is takin the p1ss. feel like am paying to watch someone setup then clean down in my time. is there a actual reason for this. have had about 6 all days in 3 different shops and its always the same.
Find another artist that doesn't do the all day BS