Tattoo Design Help!

[slowpoke]

You're going to have better luck going into a shop and talking to artists. Most artists will custom draw artwork for you and modify it as you wish.

You might think twice about the lower back/ass tattoo. Coming from someone with a few tattoos, and this is just my personal opinion, they're really not all that sexy. If anything they usually make the girl look trashy. And no, I don't have anything against women with tattoos, I find women with full sleaves incredibly attractive.

I agree with Thatch. There's been SO many times that I've seen work that look like complete shit!

me: so who did your tat?
them: blah blah so and so
me: really? i know his work and that doesn't really look like his style
them: my boyfriend drew it for me
me: ahhh...that explains a lot

I've see drawings on paper that look great, but they make the shittiest tats. Worse ones are art students or artist. They have vision on how it looks on paper. Perfect dimensions, lines, etc. Looks great on canvas, paper, whatever. But a tattoo is totally different. But these artsy fartsy dipshits don't get it. They want it how they drew it and it turns to complete shit

I remember one time I was going in for an appointment my tattoo artist was working on some kid and he didn't seem too happy on doing this tat for the kid. I looked at it and said out loud, "What the fuck is that? You're actually putting that shit on your arm???"

Angel, go to which ever tattoo artist you choose and sit down with him/her and have them draw u a custom piece. Any good tat person will draw it out till you're completely happy. If they get frustrated, walk out and look for someone else. And please don't look at the wall and say I want # so-and-so!

Hope to see pix soon!

 

[girish]

But these artsy fartsy dipshits don't get it. They want it how they drew it and it turns to complete shit

Hey!

My tatoos have worked out in the past.


I'm not saying she should give this to the guy and say, here that's what I want.. but give it to the guy and ask him to mimic it... add his own flavor.

 

[Sprinklerhead]

I agree with Thatch. There's been SO many times that I've seen work that look like complete shit!

me: so who did your tat?
them: blah blah so and so
me: really? i know his work and that doesn't really look like his style
them: my boyfriend drew it for me
me: ahhh...that explains a lot

I've see drawings on paper that look great, but they make the shittiest tats. Worse ones are art students or artist. They have vision on how it looks on paper. Perfect dimensions, lines, etc. Looks great on canvas, paper, whatever. But a tattoo is totally different. But these artsy fartsy dipshits don't get it. They want it how they drew it and it turns to complete shit

I remember one time I was going in for an appointment my tattoo artist was working on some kid and he didn't seem too happy on doing this tat for the kid. I looked at it and said out loud, "What the fuck is that? You're actually putting that shit on your arm???"

Angel, go to which ever tattoo artist you choose and sit down with him/her and have them draw u a custom piece. Any good tat person will draw it out till you're completely happy. If they get frustrated, walk out and look for someone else. And please don't look at the wall and say I want # so-and-so!

Hope to see pix soon!

Exactly. It's even worse when it's someone you know that comes up to you and shows you some god awful tattoo that looks like it was done in someone's garage while drunk with a guitar string...

Something else to remember when going to a shop to get tattooed, never trust the kanji they have on the walls. I know a girl around town that has "fruit/nuts" tattooed on the back of her neck and have had japanese students ask me why someone would get "foot" tattooed on their shoulder.

Any decent artist won't mind doing custom work at all, the most they might do is ask you for a deposit before drawing it up if it's a decent sized peice...usually about $50 that will go towards the full price of the tattoo.

Good luck with it, and take a picture of your lower back for them to photoshop the designs on to, it'll give you a better idea of what to expect.

 

[Sprinklerhead]

Hey!

My tatoos have worked out in the past.


I'm not saying she should give this to the guy and say, here that's what I want.. but give it to the guy and ask him to mimic it... add his own flavor.

I don't think it was anything against you personaly, I have also seen some really bad art student tattoos. Not everyone can take into account the curves on the body or the stretching that will take place. I was pretty impressed watching my artist take a flat design and lay it out smoothly around my upper arm and over the top of my shoulder.

 

[girish]

I don't think it was anything against you personaly, I have also seen some really bad art student tattoos. Not everyone can take into account the curves on the body or the stretching that will take place. I was pretty impressed watching my artist take a flat design and lay it out smoothly around my upper arm and over the top of my shoulder.

Yea, I know.. I was just giving him some shit.

Well it's also depends on the actual inker... how good that person is. Experienced inkers will most likely look at a bad design and go, I'm sorry but that design sucks.

 

[Inky]

Inky as resident expert what would you recommend to someone that

A) wants to get a semi large tat on the upper arm

B) has really skinny arms from being weak

C) plans to eventually start working out to gain some mass but has thus far been too lazy.

should I wait to get it or should I get it now (how much bigger can the skin get in a given area without it looking like total shite is my question I guess. I don't want the old fat guy stretched tattoo look).

Go with something that you love. Something that has meaning to you.

I love to sew. Been doing it my whole life. One of my tattoos is a vintage sewing machine, my scissors, thread spools, pin cushin, and lots of flowing fabric. It has tons of meaning to me, and it has been a huge part of my life for many years, therefore, great tattoo that I love! Hope that helps!

 

[mercurial]

No don't get me wrong Inky, I already have my design all figured out, I know exactly what I want for my arm.

I'm just worried that if I ever become unlazy and start to work out more ( thus, getting less weak and bigger arms) the tat will get stretched in weird ways and start to look shitty.

So I wanted your opinion on skin stretch.

 

[mercurial]

Haha speaking of bad tattoos, I saw a guy that had the "NOR*CAL" logo tattooed in big letters across his chest.

I also have a buddy that had a crappy Om arm band from days ago, now hes part of the EB Rats and he decided to cover it up with a skull and 2 AK-47s... I gave him shit about that!

 

[Inky]

I have a month ago. She does not have any Angel's related tattoos. She did say I should go to her shop ....

I didn't say that I don't have angel related tattoos. I said, that I don't have any loaded up in the computer. (I'm trying not to sound like a bitch, honestly. )

I've been tattooing for 13 years, and done almost 9,000 tattoos. (Holy crap!) I've got a giant cabinet full of tattoo pictures. Unfortunately I don't have endless hours to sit at the computer and scan every image in, so that I can show anybody a particular design when they ask. That's why I suggested you come up to the shop. Get in a good ride, have some fun, see something new!

Life's a journey, not a destination, right?!

And the suggestions were for the middle of the tribal pieces. Isn't that what you were asking for? I tried going back thru the post to find your other comment, but I must be having a bad computer day..........sorry. All in all, good luck! It's a tough decision, but I'm sure you will come up with something that kicks ass! See ya!!!!!!!!

 

[Inky]

No don't get me wrong Inky, I already have my design all figured out, I know exactly what I want for my arm.

I'm just worried that if I ever become unlazy and start to work out more ( thus, getting less weak and bigger arms) the tat will get stretched in weird ways and start to look shitty.

So I wanted your opinion on skin stretch.

Why? You gonna all of a sudden decide that steriods are the hip thing to do, and gain 14 pounds of muscle in each arm? Yes, if you overload the skin, it will stretch, i.e, child birth? If you are gonna go for Mr. Olympia, yes, you will stretch them out. If you are gonna go for being fit and in shape, then the skin can usually handle it. Go slow, give the collagen a chance to slowly stretch with you, and watch your diet. Good food, makes good body, which makes good skin.

 

[Angel]

I didn't say that I don't have angel related tattoos. I said, that I don't have any loaded up in the computer. (I'm trying not to sound like a bitch, honestly. )

I've been tattooing for 13 years, and done almost 9,000 tattoos. (Holy crap!) I've got a giant cabinet full of tattoo pictures. Unfortunately I don't have endless hours to sit at the computer and scan every image in, so that I can show anybody a particular design when they ask. That's why I suggested you come up to the shop. Get in a good ride, have some fun, see something new!

Life's a journey, not a destination, right?!

And the suggestions were for the middle of the tribal pieces. Isn't that what you were asking for? I tried going back thru the post to find your other comment, but I must be having a bad computer day..........sorry. All in all, good luck! It's a tough decision, but I'm sure you will come up with something that kicks ass! See ya!!!!!!!!

Thank you Inky, I don't think you sound like a bitch I completely understand. I actually appreciate the time you are taking to answer and advise on this thread. I am going to try and find the time to make the trip. I like that last one that girish came up with...but it still need refining...THIS is the time I wish I could draw... I just will not settle, I want it to be perfect. It could turn out to be completely different, but the key is that I want to make sure that I won't like another one better.

 

[lizard]

Go with something that you love. Something that has meaning to you.

I can't agree more! I always wonder what the hell is the meaning behind some of these generic tattoos I see on people like the ubiquitous barbwire around someone's arm, etc.

Hey Inky, have you heard of the tattoo artist in NYC that specializes in tattooing master paintings (Michelangelo, Renoir, etc)? I've seen pics of his tattoos and he's freaking incredible.

 

[girish]

TI like that last one that girish came up with...but it still need refining...THIS is the time I wish I could draw... I just will not settle, I want it to be perfect. It could turn out to be completely different, but the key is that I want to make sure that I won't like another one better.

Oh, hrm, ok, well, I think an original piece will take a lot more work than the 20 min I put into it

Maybe you should meet in person with some artist (such as myself) and then see it being drawn first hand and tell them your thoughts... it's SO much easier than trying to read minds.

 

[Inky]

I can't agree more! I always wonder what the hell is the meaning behind some of these generic tattoos I see on people like the ubiquitous barbwire around someone's arm, etc.

Hey Inky, have you heard of the tattoo artist in NYC that specializes in tattooing master paintings (Michelangelo, Renoir, etc)? I've seen pics of his tattoos and he's freaking incredible.

Anil? Yeah, he is fantastic.

 

[Inky]

Thank you Inky, I don't think you sound like a bitch I completely understand. I actually appreciate the time you are taking to answer and advise on this thread. I am going to try and find the time to make the trip. I like that last one that girish came up with...but it still need refining...THIS is the time I wish I could draw... I just will not settle, I want it to be perfect. It could turn out to be completely different, but the key is that I want to make sure that I won't like another one better.

Glad I didn't offend! This keyboard has no sense of humor!

 

[Angel]

Oh, hrm, ok, well, I think an original piece will take a lot more work than the 20 min I put into it

Maybe you should meet in person with some artist (such as myself) and then see it being drawn first hand and tell them your thoughts... it's SO much easier than trying to read minds.

What you can't read mind?

 

[girish]

What you can't read mind?

I said it was EASIER than reading minds... never actually said I couldn't read minds. I came out with a design you liked, didn't I?

Also, I think it would help if I actually knew you...

 

[westie]

Friday night I'll be at Idle Hands on Haight getting my octopus finished up. It goes almost from knee to belly button. I'll make sure to throw out a thread with some pics late friday when I get home. Oh, getting drilled on your belt line is so fun!

 

[Angel]

Yeah you did a good job there. Ok...So what we need to do is get rid of the spiky things going to the Halo...I do like them because they look like an 'A' but they look like knifes...I would like them softer...does that make sense?

 

[lizard]

Anil? Yeah, he is fantastic.

I think that might be him.