Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
I'm actually thinking of a very similar snake tattoo, but on my shoulder blade. I would advise you not to go too small -- a good sized one will have more detail and it should fit the body part well. I have 3 tattoos. The ankle hurt the worst. I have bony ankles and feet, and you can feel the vibrations in the bone, which is the most painful part of the experience to me.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Tats feel like your skin is being burned. It isn't intense pain, but I have sat there for 4-6 hours and after that long it does start to take a toll on you. Tattoos do hurt some just a lot more then others.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Here is the one I have a Ball Python. It is on my left leg about 5" x 5" in size. It is B/W with shading and a little white added for accents. This one cost me $400 and took about 4-5 hours to complete.
It didn't "hurt" at all. Take a fork and scratch the same area for 5 minutes will give you the same feeling. First it tingles, then burns, then goes numb. You end up with a scab that you have to keep moist fo 4-5 days then you are good to go.
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...s/IMG_0700.jpg
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Quote:
Originally Posted by raptorslovepuns
A good rule of thumb is to wait at least a year with the same design in mind. You wouldn't want to get a ball and then later discover that your favorite snakes are womas.
I'm not sure I agree with that, because I see tattoos as a permanent snapshots of a moment in time. Sure, I may change over the 50 or so years I hope I have left, but they always bring me back to exactly where and when I was whenever I look at them. I guess I would analogize the idea of deciding not to take pictures on your vacation at universal studios because you might like disney world better next time you go to florida.
All that said, I do think you should pay particular attention to where on your body you put them, and who you get them from. Getting LOVE and HATE across your fingers, or a tribal from your chin to your forehead will most likely limit your professional opportunities later in life, and you obviously want someone who can draw AND not infect you with some nasty disease.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
It really depends on the area of skin that you get it on, with regard to pain. I had nothing but minor discomfort and scratchiness when I got the one on my upper bicep area; now, my ankle HURT! But it was right on the bone.. it'd be tolerable and then when he (my then-boyfriend, now-husband) went over that ankle bone.. owie..!
My husband does tattoos at a shop in Buffalo on the weekends. If you felt like doing a road trip :) A typical price for him would be about $150 for a 6x6-inch piece with some detail that took about 1-2 hours. but it is very hard to generalize about tat pricing; you pay more for great artists and some don't even quote a price until it is over and you pay what they tell you to.
Please feel free to post any tats done by artists you are looking into. I can have Mark tell you if they are good or not.. many flaws are never noticed by the general public (subpar shading; shaky lines, etc) and I can tell you what to look for in them.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
You should go to www.inkednation.com and do a search for artists near you. You can look at a ton of portfolios of artists in your area without leaving your house. From there you can go in and have them draw up a design for you and answer any other questions you have.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ginevive
Please feel free to post any tats done by artists you are looking into. I can have Mark tell you if they are good or not.. many flaws are never noticed by the general public (subpar shading; shaky lines, etc) and I can tell you what to look for in them.
I was just a little confused by this... If the general public doesn't notice and you like the artist's work, does it matter?
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Great idea jake gave you. which should be your first thought when thinking of getting a tattoo. DO RESEARCH. and lots of it. look at tons of portfoilos and from all different shops near you. Personally i wouldnt have one artist tell me if anothers is bad or good.. you will know when you see them if they are. I seen tons of tatt portfoilos and been in a few shops and have family memeber that are tat artists and some do better then other at certain kind of tats. celtic knot work, portraits, faces, shading ect.. you just need to find an artists work that YOU like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PythonWallace
You should go to
www.inkednation.com and do a search for artists near you. You can look at a ton of portfolios of artists in your area without leaving your house. From there you can go in and have them draw up a design for you and answer any other questions you have.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Quote:
Originally Posted by darkangel
I was just a little confused by this... If the general public doesn't notice and you like the artist's work, does it matter?
It matters to me! I'd much rather have quality work, myself.
Re: Thinking about a tattoo...input?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SarahMB
It matters to me! I'd much rather have quality work, myself.
Quality matters. My point is if there's an artist whose style and work you love, and that's definetly the person you want to do your tattoo, what would be the point in having it 'approved?'
