Has there been any time where a client was unable to get a tattoo where they wanted it?
It can happen! It’s not so much the entire area, but certain deep scars or fresh wounds that I want to avoid tattooing on. I’ll usually tell the client to wait a bit for the region to heal or just go around it. Not always the original idea, but we work with it.
I had a burn victim come to me and ask if I could tattoo a big region of their skin that was badly burned but completely healed. I told them the pigment wouldn’t stay in skin that had this particular texture. (as their dermatologist told them too)
So in those times I suggest a different area, or just a new tattoo design that wraps them differently. There’s always compromise!
Kesschion
How much do you take into account stuff like the clients body weight/ skin complexion when mocking up tattoos? I assume it has quite a bit of effect but I’d thought I’d ask.
I’ll take measurements and have my client inform me of whatever relevant information regarding their skin. Whether it’s about pigmentation, texture, scars, burns, stretch marks, moles, diabetes, sensitive rosacea, etc.
I can work with what I have and if I can’t I’ll work around it. As simple as that. It takes a lot of time and patience coming up with an initial idea, let alone designing a specific designed tailored to the client’s body shape and taste.
In the end a lot of people can get tattoos no matter whatever worry they have. I think it’s important to stay body positive when getting tattoos just as muchas in in your everyday life.
Just… come at me. I can do anything!! (almost…)
Anonymous asked: what are your thoughts on stick n poke?
I take you mean the phenomenon that people attach needles to sticks/pencils and make homemade tattoos. (versus traditional japanese or maori hand poke tattoos)
I gotta say I’m not a fan because rare do I find the stuff pretty or the least bit aesthetic at all. Not to mention how unimaginative certain people are. I think the cool thing about it might be the experience of getting it done.
An advice I can give is… use a marker to sketch your design first or use stencil paper! At least make it count!
Aside of that I actually worry more about the hygiene and needle disposal… Stay safe bandes de jeunes cons!
Addendum: If you want something dumb come see me gosh. I’ll tattoo your umbrellas or bicycles on your big toes if you want.
notactuallyaduck asked: Question on tattoos: Most artists do the blacks first, right? Do you have to be careful not to go over them with the colored inks afterwards?
Depending on how long after you tattoo over the black, and how opaque your colours are (they are usually pretty transparent) the blacks will always prevail because it is the darkest pigment you can needle under the skin.
So how I do it, I usually don’t worry about going over them when I apply my colours like in my very recent piece.
rubyrunaway asked: tuesday tatoto TMI, eh? here's a question: WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LET ME TATTOO YOUUUUU
When I (finally) decide what I want and when we butt heads next time we meet!!
Anonymous asked: You mentioned something about burn scars a while ago, just curious was the issues were with inking them...
I hope I didn’t scare anyone with this one, I’m getting this one a lot.
When I mentionned burn scars I actually meant really heavy 3rd degree burns. I had a client who is a fire victim and his dermatologist told him the ink would just not hold on his large burn scars. The skin texture is just not the same anymore.
Though if you wish to get a tattoo over minor burn marks you can just go ahead and ask your artist to help you with that just as long as they aren’t fresh ones!
Anonymous asked: How painful is it to get a tattoo on the wrist? Would I be able to draw the same day I get it?
Wrists are usually sensitive areas even if it differs from on person to another. Not to mention that if the tattoo is done too high up (close to the hand) the healing process just may make your tattoo shitty and the lines could bleed/blow up.
I usually suggest doing the work at least 0.75” lower than the hand. Take a break and restrain from moving the hand too much and avoid unnecessary washing (wash tattoo once or twice a day)
You can draw no problem on the very same day. Just use your own judgement, if it hurts take a break!
duckenstein asked: Just a couple of questions: 1) How difficult is it to place a tattoo on say, the inner thigh or underside of the upper arm. 2) Is it possible to make a 'fading' effect on a piece (either with color or technique)? Thanks! :)
The inner thigh and underside of the upperarm area are not bad places to get tattooed on. Though the skin there is usually thin and sometimes a little elastic. Making it a little trickier to tattoo (aside of area sensitivity of course)
A thing to keep in mind is that these two areas are prone to weight gain/loss. But unless you gain or lose 50 lbs overnight either from food or working out it shouldn’t be a problem!
As for fading effects there are different ways to achieve it depending on the artist’s technique. Usually we would just do a this thing we call it whip-shading with the needles and using dark-to-light colours in attempt to replicate a smooth gradient.
Tuesday TATTOO TMI
Got any tattoo concerns or questions, things you’d like to know more about? Planning on getting some ink done but have some worries?
Get them coming while I go ink some stars and flowers and little cats. (For real)
Ask away!
(PS. If you’d rather be answered privately please just say so and go un-anon)
Anonymous asked: What would happen if I got a tattoo over a scar?
It’s important to show the tattooist if you plan on getting a tattoo to hide an old scar.
Ideally the scar should be fairly dated and not be result of an important physical trauma. Usually scars within 6 months (wounds, cuts, etc) are too early to be tattooed on because tissue takes a while to heal and some tattoo artists don’t know how well the ink will hold.
In short the answer is that the ink could or could not hold well depending on how large your scar is. But if it’s fairly thin or small, and they don’t happen to be burn scars it shouldn’t be a problem.
Ask your friendly neighbourhood tattooist!
(or if you’d like to show/tell me more about your scars off anon I’ll gladly help you privately)
myums asked: what about blacklight piercings? do they really appear "invisible" unless under a blacklight? and what do you know about the heal risks there?
The piercings themselves are safe because once they heal with the standard jewelery you can then change it with a UV jewel which is completely safe whether it’s the barbell, ball or anything else.
It is coloured plastic that glows under blacklight, so it’s visible as a normal jewelry too.
Anonymous asked: how visible are white ink tattoos? can you tell me anything about UV ink tattoos and if they are safe or not?
White ink like most other tattoo inks are transparent. Unless you use it along others colours or to do certain details and effect it won’t show as pure opaque white.
When white tattoos are healed they look really subtle depending on the person. Sometimes they look like faded scars, etc. You can look it up, that’s roughly how they look.
As for UV tattoos, I think the ink is not really regulated which mean little to no information on risk and its properties in general. Some say it causes cancer, while most have reported skin troubles.
We don’t do it where I work.
If you want something UV, stick with wearables like clothing, accessories, or even hey body piercings!
spookpunk-deactivated20130120 asked: how long do most tattoo inks last? i would like to get a tattoo in a cyan colour, but im afraid itll turn green or something as time goes by :(
Brighter colours (especially on their own) usually look more washed out than darker ones with time.
An average good tattoo usually stays GREAT for around 10 years.
I would suggest using a safer colour, something not neon, has good saturation and opacity and skin coverage (stuff that the artist should worry about).
If anything it’s normal to get touchups after 5-10 years just to refresh the colours and tattoo itself. Most tattoo parlours guarantee their work for few months after it’s done too so take advantage of that!
PS: Go for a nice robin blue or bright sky blue or anything close to it and you’ll be fine.
geolu asked: How do you feel about the tattoo/tattoo shop reality shows they have on TV? :U
They are ridiculous, exaggerated, often dumb and not tattoo-related at all but they are tailored perfectly to fit on a TV reality show!
We all cuss a lot at and get angry or talk behind eachother’s back (only there aren’t cameras around to reveal that hehe…) Sometimes we get fired or quit on our own only to come back working at the same shop. True story!
Despite that, I do catch myself watching it sometimes…
Anonymous asked: If you don't mind my asking, how did you get started with tattooing? Did you get an apprenticeship somewhere, or was it something you just sorta picked up? How long have you been tattooing?
I’ve been thinking about tattooing ever since I was something like 14, because I thought I could be edgy and cool with my art!!!…
During my teens I’d go to numerous tattoo parlours and ask if they could teach me. Which always turned in vain because of my naiveté and inexperience about the whole thing!
It wasn’t until much later when I took the time to bring my sketchbooks and art portfolio, along with a work resume and a lot of motivation that I was taken as an apprentice. I worked the floor until the tattooists there taught me the ropes of slowly becoming one myself, getting my own tools and working the trade. Without a mentor it’s really hard to just pick it up and learn yourself.
I’ve since been tattooing a little over 5 years now.
I also had a good day at it today.
I hope that answers some of your questions!
