Small update- after doing more research over the weekend, at lunch I booked an appointment 2 weekends from now! Ahh! Hopefully I can AW my new tattoo to this thread if I don't back out
I love AW threads. I don't have pics of all mine on my phone but here's a few. My half sleeve is my fave tropical flowers and octopus's garden, inner bicep is vintage map of the world. My cat on my calf. Palm tree on my inner ankle. Area code on my other bicep (represent!), my name in a tramp stamp, my parents initials on my rib cage.
@jenna8984 This is a little late and off topic, but, WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR PRO PICS???!?!?!?! I thought they were gone forever?!!
@khugs15 They are gone! The photographer had posted 5 on facebook the day after the wedding so this was luckily one of them!!
I love AW threads. I don't have pics of all mine on my phone but here's a few. My half sleeve is my fave tropical flowers and octopus's garden, inner bicep is vintage map of the world. My cat on my calf. Palm tree on my inner ankle. Area code on my other bicep (represent!), my name in a tramp stamp, my parents initials on my rib cage.
@jenna8984 This is a little late and off topic, but, WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR PRO PICS???!?!?!?! I thought they were gone forever?!!
@khugs15 They are gone! The photographer had posted 5 on facebook the day after the wedding so this was luckily one of them!!
Oh farts I thought you had somehow magically gotten them back.
How did you all go about finding the artists who did your tattoos? I feel like there are so many to choose from, and most of the portfolios online tend to show the more intricate designs. But I don't want intricate; I want something graphic, with brushstroke style, which is proving kind of hard to tack down when I'm looking at websites/portfolios. Maybe people don't tend to "specialize" in this format, so it's not really A Thing that would show up? Or maybe I'm such a newb that I'm not searching the correct terms! I don't know.
Whenever I see someone with good work, I ask them where they got it done. I don't really trust online reviews, and most portfolios aren't comprehensive (they might have done 3,000 tattoos but only 11 of them show up in a portfolio, although it does help to look at their overall style to see if it will mesh with what you have in mind).
When I look at portfolios, I don't look at the overall design because I'm not getting that design so it doesn't matter if I like it or not. I look at the detail work; the lines (are they as thick/thin as they should be? Do they fade out where they're not supposed to? Are they uneven? Shaky? Do they have gaps that shouldn't be there? Are they uiform? Are the corners sharp? Are the curves smooth?), the shading (is it blended? Is it smooth? Subtle? Messy? Choppy?), and so on.
If they've been recommended by someone and I like their portfolio, then I call to talk to them. If I like the vibe, I go in for a consultation. If I like what they drew for me and they "get" what I want, I go for it.
ETA: when I find an artist I like who does good work, I stick to that person. The problem is, I keep moving away. So in my current city, I haven't found my artist yet. But my favorite bar tender at my favorite bar has amazing tattoos, and recommended me to someone in the area. I called the shop, described what I wanted, and the shop manager immediately recommended the same guy cuz he specializes in that style. His portfolio is awesome, and he seems to be a bit of a local celebrity for his work. So it seems like that's my guy. Just need to finish paying stupid wedding expenses so I can have money to blow on more ink
Thanks for the bolded! I am not artistic myself, so these are great things for me to focus on. Like, I can tell if I "don't like" something, but I wouldn't have had the knowledge to pinpoint exactly what causes one thing to be "better" than another. This is a good start! (Next stop, an art history degree!)
None yet, but DH and I are both planning on getting some as our reward to ourselves for getting back in shape... hopefully this summer, haha. We'll both be going for fairly large pieces across our backs and we have an artist chosen. I'll post here when we do.
I really love the look of a quarter-sleeve for myself as well, but I can't quite settle on a design to suit the shape. LOVE half, 3/4, or full sleeves as well (on other people, I mean), so if H wanted to go for that eventually I think it would be super sexy. But we'll start with our backs, and I have a feeling I may end up with more than he. We run our own business so workplace culture won't be an issue.
My biggest fear is I have a huge nickel allergy. I've been doing as much research on inks as I can and it sounds promising, but there is just so little actual research or info out there about ink ingredients and reactions.
I have a bit of a nickel allergy myself. I have had my ears pierced a total of three times and had them close and form scar tissue because of the allergy to cheap, nickel based earrings.
I have only one tattoo and I had no problems with it. The place I got it done was the same place I got my navel pierced and I have spoken to their piercer about getting my ears really done.
I think you should be fine. Just be sure to research where you are going and if you don't feel comfortable or it seems a bit sketchy, feel free to walk out and find some place else. I'd also make sure wherever you go, that sanitation is their number one priority.
I've read that some inks themselves contain nickel and other metals though? That's awesome that you've had no problems, though! It's just that all the research I can find is purely anecdotal - there was one lady on another forum who had no problems with one of her tattoos, but did have a reaction with another. Some people think black ink is a bigger risk, some say purple, some say red. I would hate to get a huge tattoo done and then have a horrible reaction to it.
Maybe @MagicInk can shed some light on the actual formulation of the inks or any experience with metal-allergic clients?
I have an allergy to nickle as well. Any reputable shop will ask you about any metal allergies up front. Nickle is a really common metal allergy, and at most shops you won't have a problem getting a tattoo. None of our ink contains nickle, and none of our guns are made with nickle.
PSA: When one goes to get a tattoo BE UP FRONT with your artist from the start. If you have an allergy tell them. A lot of shops use A&D ointment right after the tattoo is finished. People with fish allergies are allergic to A&D ointments. So while I won't be cooking you salmon I still need to know about your fish allergy. I need to know about any allergies to soaps, if you're allergic to latex, do you have a blood born disease? Fucking tell me. I'm attempting to make this as safe as possible.
Also every heals differently. My friend's tattoos all healed raised from her skin. No real rhyme or reason to why that happened, just how her body healed.
This is awesome, thank you! Why don't any of the forums I lurk mention that (at least some) inks simply do. not. contain. nickel. and this needn't be a problem. Everyone out there in internet-land is all like, 'yeah... I dunno... most of the ingredients are a mystery and sometimes I don't have problems and sometimes I do, and blah, blah, blah...'
How did you all go about finding the artists who did your tattoos? I feel like there are so many to choose from, and most of the portfolios online tend to show the more intricate designs. But I don't want intricate; I want something graphic, with brushstroke style, which is proving kind of hard to tack down when I'm looking at websites/portfolios. Maybe people don't tend to "specialize" in this format, so it's not really A Thing that would show up? Or maybe I'm such a newb that I'm not searching the correct terms! I don't know.
I went to the same studio where I got my navel pierced. The first time I went in there I was very impressed with how they presented themselves and how they cared more about it being a sterile environment than anything else.
I made an appointment for a consult first and I looked at the artists' portfolios before doing so and found that none of them really showed a writing like mine. But the artist I had was awesome. I will go back to him for the rest of my tattoos.
I nearly passed out myself getting it done but the artist got me taken care of.
I've wanted a white ink tattoo forever. Those look so cool to me. But I don't know what or where I'd put one.
I have a white tattoo on the inside of my wrist. It's ambigram; one way reads "Faith" the other "Trust".
I also have a lotus flower on my right hip, birds holding a line of music from my dad's favorite song on my left ribs (In My Life), and the date my dad was diagnosed with cancer on my nape.
The next pieces I want to get is a water color piece of a reflection of a part of cinderella's castle on my thigh, and a blackwork quarter or half sleeve that includes roses and a thestral head (from Harry Potter)
ETA: @wandajune6 and @KatieinBkln when I get my water color piece done I will be getting it from Russ van Schaick at Hart and huntington Orlando. He is by far one of the best watercolor artists I've ever seen. Check out his IG, where right now he is also featuring info on other amazing watercolors artists. Perhaps one is by you? https://instagram.com/findyoursmile/
Also, great artists also go to many different kinds of tattoo conventions. If there is an artist you love, they will typically publicize it on their social media. Right now, I am absolutely in love with one artist in CA (sara fabel). being in the complete opposite side of the country from her, I'm holding out she will come closer east.
None yet, but DH and I are both planning on getting some as our reward to ourselves for getting back in shape... hopefully this summer, haha. We'll both be going for fairly large pieces across our backs and we have an artist chosen. I'll post here when we do.
I really love the look of a quarter-sleeve for myself as well, but I can't quite settle on a design to suit the shape. LOVE half, 3/4, or full sleeves as well (on other people, I mean), so if H wanted to go for that eventually I think it would be super sexy. But we'll start with our backs, and I have a feeling I may end up with more than he. We run our own business so workplace culture won't be an issue.
My biggest fear is I have a huge nickel allergy. I've been doing as much research on inks as I can and it sounds promising, but there is just so little actual research or info out there about ink ingredients and reactions.
I have a bit of a nickel allergy myself. I have had my ears pierced a total of three times and had them close and form scar tissue because of the allergy to cheap, nickel based earrings.
I have only one tattoo and I had no problems with it. The place I got it done was the same place I got my navel pierced and I have spoken to their piercer about getting my ears really done.
I think you should be fine. Just be sure to research where you are going and if you don't feel comfortable or it seems a bit sketchy, feel free to walk out and find some place else. I'd also make sure wherever you go, that sanitation is their number one priority.
I've read that some inks themselves contain nickel and other metals though? That's awesome that you've had no problems, though! It's just that all the research I can find is purely anecdotal - there was one lady on another forum who had no problems with one of her tattoos, but did have a reaction with another. Some people think black ink is a bigger risk, some say purple, some say red. I would hate to get a huge tattoo done and then have a horrible reaction to it.
Maybe @MagicInk can shed some light on the actual formulation of the inks or any experience with metal-allergic clients?
I have an allergy to nickle as well. Any reputable shop will ask you about any metal allergies up front. Nickle is a really common metal allergy, and at most shops you won't have a problem getting a tattoo. None of our ink contains nickle, and none of our guns are made with nickle.
PSA: When one goes to get a tattoo BE UP FRONT with your artist from the start. If you have an allergy tell them. A lot of shops use A&D ointment right after the tattoo is finished. People with fish allergies are allergic to A&D ointments. So while I won't be cooking you salmon I still need to know about your fish allergy. I need to know about any allergies to soaps, if you're allergic to latex, do you have a blood born disease? Fucking tell me. I'm attempting to make this as safe as possible.
Also every heals differently. My friend's tattoos all healed raised from her skin. No real rhyme or reason to why that happened, just how her body healed.
This is awesome, thank you! Why don't any of the forums I lurk mention that (at least some) inks simply do. not. contain. nickel. and this needn't be a problem. Everyone out there in internet-land is all like, 'yeah... I dunno... most of the ingredients are a mystery and sometimes I don't have problems and sometimes I do, and blah, blah, blah...'
Thanks, Magic!
You are most welcome! Just let your artist know your allergies and also your reactions. Good artists know what they're doing. And more importantly really don't want to get sued. 98% of the shit I do so no one comes and sues me. I do not want to be sued.
Re: Spinoff: Talk to me about your tattoos!
Formerly martha1818
Thanks for the bolded! I am not artistic myself, so these are great things for me to focus on. Like, I can tell if I "don't like" something, but I wouldn't have had the knowledge to pinpoint exactly what causes one thing to be "better" than another. This is a good start! (Next stop, an art history degree!)
Thanks, Magic!
I made an appointment for a consult first and I looked at the artists' portfolios before doing so and found that none of them really showed a writing like mine. But the artist I had was awesome. I will go back to him for the rest of my tattoos.
I nearly passed out myself getting it done but the artist got me taken care of.