Tattoos

[burrito]

I know a lot of the BGers are pretty good at art and such, but how do the more ham-fisted artistically decide on a design without having to resort to a stock option?

I'm all for doing something personal, and I've been tempted to get one for years, but my artistic inability kind of puts me off it.

You don't have to be an artist. A good tattoo artist will sit and work out/sketch out what you want (usually with you there directing). As long as you have an idea in your mind, it usually can be translated to paper, and then to ink. Always helps to bring reference images if you suck at description like I do.

I always advise shopping around for artists, asking to see portfolios if available, the equipment, etc.

[Nirokun!]

How do some of you decide on what to get?

I know a lot of the BGers are pretty good at art and such, but how do the more ham-fisted artistically decide on a design without having to resort to a stock option?

I'm all for doing something personal, and I've been tempted to get one for years, but my artistic inability kind of puts me off it.

i've wanted the same tattoo since i was like 13 or 14 (and im 22 now.) I dont remember what got me on the idea, but i always wanted wings on my back (not huge, something tasteful.) I toyed around with the idea of asking for a light tan/brown ink so that the tattoo wouldnt be noticeable to anyone unless i told them, and thought about just an outline, or some symbol to represent them on my shoulderblades. More recently, i've thought about black wings, and im not terribly sure how i'd want them designed so they werent just black splotches on my back. I googled "wings" and just poked around looking at things looking for some inspiration. I saved images i liked and scribbled out something for the time being. I'm not sure if i want them symmetrical or asymmetrical, black or not, or any other combination of fleeting ideas. In writing this post, i googled "white tattoo" and that sounds reeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaally nice. I might be going with that.

As with all things on the internet, google is your friend. Save pictures you like, print them out, and present them to the artist, and see what (s)he'll come up with for you.

[Groovebox]

1. Make sure the tattoo artist is good:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...x9/loltat1.jpg


2. Don't get something retarded:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...oldengirls.jpg

[Azalee]

I had an idea, and I asked the tattoo artist to draw it out for me. I am pretty sure he just googled "Rubber Duck" then drew the bar of soap and bubbles free hand.

[Iono]

Personal experience. Get something that has meaning to you, and hopefully will stay meaningful to u forever.....

When you get one try to plan where you want it, and if you think you may want more try to plan around it. I have a fairly decent sized one on the right side of my back. This one was my first and seemed like a good idea at the time. However, I no longer hold any of the qualities of this tat, but I can't for the life of me think of what else I can put around it to fill in more. My only explanation for it when ppl ask about it is, "I used to think I was a badass...."

Also this one was "uniquely designed" , but the more I look at other tats in books the more I see how generic it is....

I also have another one on my left shoulder that sits well on it's own and wouldn't look right putting other stuff around it. I'll never post pics of this one because I don't want it to get copied XD The tat itself is very simplistic, but the description I have for it would tempt a lot of the damned EMO kids which is what I don't want =-=a

Don't get me wrong I love the left shoulder one and while I wish I could do more with the back right, I don't regret any of em.

[toonces]

Don't take anything that can make your blood thinner (like to get semi drunk so you feel less pain, stupid things like that). It hurts the ink and it is a pain in the ass to deal with all that blood for the artist.. and if is a big tattoo you can get woozy loozy.

[4riette]

First tip: If you have any blood sugar/fatigue issues, bring something with sugar, like candy or a juice drink! It doesn't happen to all people, but a lot of people experience a huge drop in blood sugar when they first start getting inked. There was a four year gap between my first two tattoos and my third so I completely forgot. Next thing I know I've thrown off my shirt and pants and laying on the probably dirty floor in this parlor because the rush made me so dizzy and hot. But maybe I'm just a wimp? Who knows

Anyway, I believe wholeheartedly in the "it's your body" mantra, your mom will get over it eventually. Just make sure it's something you can deal with forever and will always have meaning to you. There's always going to be some douche who's like "omgz tattoos r dumb" or "why would you get something like that?", but fuck them, I say!

My favorite is the last one I got, being a huge fan of Atmosphere I got a 7 on my leg like the art of the woman on one of their album covers (except less on the ass).

[Kyo]

I personaly have 4 tattoo's, a vamprie with a cross on right arm/shoulder, both seperate, on right arm a huge dragon that covers my shoulder and stretches to my elbow and later had a demona dded to the dragon.

Personaly I used to manage a Gamestop anda Blockbuster. In the dress code both said you could have tatoo's but had to be covered up. Being the rebelious ass hole I am I didnt care and never wore long sleeves and never caught flack for it.

I'd say if you want the sleeves get them, cover them up if you absolutley ahve to with long sleeves.

Edit: Tekki, eat some cheeseburgers for godsake.

[TheKobainGuitr]

Just got these done yesterday

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5092/tat1smallgc2.jpg
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/509...26d32ce490.jpg

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8...t2smallyk2.jpg
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/8...38de8a02e3.jpg