I am thinking about getting a s ake tattoo . . .

So I went with a friend today when he got his tat and it got me thinking about getting a small BP done. I am not much of a tat guy and this would be my first one and a small one. Probably on the shoulder or pec area. What I am debating though (not including if I even really want it) is what morph to get.

I am thinking either a bee or maybe a mojave. There are also a ton of other morphs that I think would look good in color (lemon blast, tons of different spider morphs, et cetera).

I did a search and saw a nice spider tat going from the back down the pec. Though I want mine a lot smaller it did give me hope it could turn out good.

So any input on the idea of getting a snake tat, what morph to get and where to get it? I've already found a great artist to do the work at a good price, so that's taken care of.

SPIDERRRRRRRRR

i wanted to get the pattern down my entire arm, but i think im gonna change it to my leg ^-^

i want the spinal stripe to go down my shin, then the stripes that look like ribs to horizontally come out. but it would probably be kinda hard to get it exactly how i want it.

i saw some really wicked GTP tats while doing some research

Heres My spider tattoo. I was mainly going for the spider outline but didnt want the white sides as i bleed out white ink. Kept the black pattern of the spider and had brown as the main color... This is the actual design of my spider male i have.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...25d74d497b.jpg

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

Heres My spider tattoo. I was mainly going for the spider outline but didnt want the white sides as i bleed out white ink. Kept the black pattern of the spider and had brown as the main color... This is the actual design of my spider male i have.

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...25d74d497b.jpg

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Yeah your tat was the one that convinced me it could look really sweet.

I went back and had 2 more hours added into it to add more color and make the drop shadow pop out better.
Just do not get it this size over in the area i did. I can handle pain very welll but after 2 hours its non stop pain. But its worth it if you love snakes as much as i do. Just research the areas in which you want the tattoo so you know what your getting into.

I dont have a snake answer for you but take some advice from me take time and do your research do not get something to small you will regret it .. I made the mistake by getting my first tattoo too small luckily I was able to modify it later on but people generally make the mistake by getting their first tattoo too small because they dont know how bad the tattoo will hurt. Just be smart i would go with the calf maybe wrapping around the leg and definitely spider

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Originally Posted by PolishPython

I dont have a snake answer for you but take some advice from me take time and do your research do not get something to small you will regret it .. I made the mistake by getting my first tattoo too small luckily I was able to modify it later on but people generally make the mistake by getting their first tattoo too small because they dont know how bad the tattoo will hurt. Just be smart i would go with the calf maybe wrapping around the leg and definitely spider

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Totally agree. I made the same mistake with my first tattoo. It looks like a good size on paper but when its on your skin, for some reason, it looks hella smaller.

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Originally Posted by PolishPython

I dont have a snake answer for you but take some advice from me take time and do your research do not get something to small you will regret it .. I made the mistake by getting my first tattoo too small luckily I was able to modify it later on but people generally make the mistake by getting their first tattoo too small because they dont know how bad the tattoo will hurt. Just be smart i would go with the calf maybe wrapping around the leg and definitely spider

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Great advice about not getting it too small, I hadn't considered that. And while the calf
would be a cool place I am definitely getting it in a place that won't be visible in a tshirt and shorts. Like I said, I've always been kinda neutral on tata and want something that won't be visible all the time if I later decide I dint want to be displaying it all the time.

Don't get me wrong, I am liking the idea enough to consider it but it is my first (I am 25) and want to be smart about it. I know I will always love snakes but I'm not sure I'll always want that displayed on my skin. That's why I think the shoulder or pec area is my top choice so far.

I personally love back tattoos... I completely agree that a "too small" tattoo would be disappointing... Make sure they do a detailed drawing of the tattoo and allow you to take a really good look at it before its made permanent- Don't let them rush you no matter what!! Also, eat a light meal a little bit before having the tattoo done, you don't want to go on an empty stomach or on a really full stomach.

You may also want to take into consideration that brightly coloured tattoos will require touchups throughout your life. (You probly already know that :P)

I demand pics if you end up getting your tattoo!! :D

I have 2 tattoos and 5 piercings. I think it's great that you want a tattoo, just make sure the place is clean, and like somebody stated above, make sure they do a detailed drawing, and ask to see some of the persons other work.

I have Neal tattooed on my right inner forearm(I designed the lettering myself).
I have a tatoo of a Dragon flying with a crystal ball on my left chest.

I am getting ready to get "Kryptonite" accross my shoulders, then im going get a verse from a part of the bible I like on my middle back. After that maybe like 1-2 more in a spot that isn't always visible.

As far as piercings go, I have my left ear pierced twice, I have both my nipples pierced, and PA.

brightly colored tattoos should NOT require regular touch-ups, if they are done well. there are a lot of artists out there who just should not be allowed to go anywhere NEAR a person with a needle, let alone needle and ink.

the biggest part of deciding on a tattoo is make sure you go to a shop that you feel comfortable and safe in. it should look clean, smell clean, and BE clean! generally good, clean, trustworthy shops will have much better artists than a shop that looks yucky. but don't get me wrong, this is just a generalization. even the most tidy shop could still have a very shoddy artist. that brings me to my next point. before you choose an artist, make sure you see LOTS of their work. and NOT just fresh work! a tattoo will always look brighter and better when first finished. you need to see healed work too - sometimes they can go too deep and all the ink could blowout and end up ``bleeding`` which looks really horrible.

also a good reason not to get it too small, is because if you get a little tattoo, it could potentially take up a lot more room than the actual image. say you want a tattoo on your right shoulder, but one day you decide to get a piece that goes right across your back...well, you kind of can`t, unless the artist is willing (and able) to do a cover-up.

a tip about snake tattoos: my artist said he`s done a handful of snakes, and they look better without scales. scales make them look too busy. and here`s mine:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...oofinished.jpg

it`s an anery corn snake

My first tattoo had crap ink. At the end of 20 years it had all but completely faded away, it was done while I was in Okinwawa Japan in the early '80s.

Now the inks are much better & they stay bright too, I found a great artist & had her do a redo on it. I was so happy with the result I got a few more. Just make sure that you get an artist who has done reptile tats before & is comfortable. My person here specializes in Celtic, tribal & Asian stuff.

If I ever add a reptile tat, she told me she would recommend a guy she knows for that... gotta love someone who's so good at what they do & honest they would do that. Definitely see a sample of work & get the right person so you'll be happy with the result.

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Originally Posted by Dianna

I personally love back tattoos... I completely agree that a "too small" tattoo would be disappointing... Make sure they do a detailed drawing of the tattoo and allow you to take a really good look at it before its made permanent- Don't let them rush you no matter what!! Also, eat a light meal a little bit before having the tattoo done, you don't want to go on an empty stomach or on a really full stomach.

You may also want to take into consideration that brightly coloured tattoos will require touchups throughout your life. (You probly already know that :P)
I demand pics if you end up getting your tattoo!! :D

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A properly done and cared for tattoo shouldn't need touchups. I have yellow on me that's 10+ years old and still as bright as the day I got it.

Yeah I already found a nice clean shop with a really good artist and he has done some animal and reptile work (I looked through his folders a d saw so many wolves howling at the moon it was painful).

I'll make sure to ask him a lot of questions before getting it done (which I a
at like 60% sure I am).

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Originally Posted by Buttons

A properly done and cared for tattoo shouldn't need touchups. I have yellow on me that's 10+ years old and still as bright as the day I got it.

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Actually, you're information is quite inaccurate well partially, not about the cared for, that was accurate. The shop can be the best in the business, sometimes you need touchups sometimes you don't. Some people don't follow directions, and don't properly care for it, others may make an honest mistake and try to peel the skin off, and in some cases i've seen to where it messes up the line, makes it almost seem like they skipped a spot. It happens, different things happen, and people are all different. I had a guy that goes on tours do the tattoo on my chest(dragon) and about the time it was peeling, I peeled a bit off by the very tip of the tail, and it looks almost like he missed a spot, which he didn't it was my own fault due to peeling.

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Originally Posted by katia

brightly colored tattoos should NOT require regular touch-ups, if they are done well. there are a lot of artists out there who just should not be allowed to go anywhere NEAR a person with a needle, let alone needle and ink.

the biggest part of deciding on a tattoo is make sure you go to a shop that you feel comfortable and safe in. it should look clean, smell clean, and BE clean! generally good, clean, trustworthy shops will have much better artists than a shop that looks yucky. but don't get me wrong, this is just a generalization. even the most tidy shop could still have a very shoddy artist. that brings me to my next point. before you choose an artist, make sure you see LOTS of their work. and NOT just fresh work! a tattoo will always look brighter and better when first finished. you need to see healed work too - sometimes they can go too deep and all the ink could blowout and end up ``bleeding`` which looks really horrible.

also a good reason not to get it too small, is because if you get a little tattoo, it could potentially take up a lot more room than the actual image. say you want a tattoo on your right shoulder, but one day you decide to get a piece that goes right across your back...well, you kind of can`t, unless the artist is willing (and able) to do a cover-up.

a tip about snake tattoos: my artist said he`s done a handful of snakes, and they look better without scales. scales make them look too busy. and here`s mine:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b7...oofinished.jpg

it`s an anery corn snake

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Great tattoo, how does it look from the side/front view? I would love to see :eyepoppin. Yep let me now change that subject, as I was only kidding for public sake, unless this part got moved to QT. Then i'm serious.

EDIT:
And people if you say you weren't thinking the same thing, I call you a horrible liar. Atleast that was the first thing that popped in my head when I seen.

Oh and here's my 2 tattoos. The dragon I had done when I had just turned 18. Other was done like in August of last year.
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9822/tat2m.jpg
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9986/tat1u.jpg

EDIT:
And oh yea, The forearm tattoo is my name incase you may not be able to read it, which was sort of my intention. Once you realize it, then you see it, but just walking up and looking at it, I've only had one person figure out what it said.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Actually, you're information is quite inaccurate well partially, not about the cared for, that was accurate. The shop can be the best in the business, sometimes you need touchups sometimes you don't. Some people don't follow directions, and don't properly care for it, others may make an honest mistake and try to peel the skin off, and in some cases i've seen to where it messes up the line, makes it almost seem like they skipped a spot. It happens, different things happen, and people are all different. I had a guy that goes on tours do the tattoo on my chest(dragon) and about the time it was peeling, I peeled a bit off by the very tip of the tail, and it looks almost like he missed a spot, which he didn't it was my own fault due to peeling.

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this is PARTIALLY true. on one hand, if you go to a good shop, and get tattooed by a good artist, they will give you very detailed and thorough aftercare instructions. the #1 thing ANY tattoo artist will tell you is NO SCRATCHING and NO PICKING!!! they will let you know what is going to happen to your tattoo as it heals. scabbing, peeling, itching, etc. and if your artist is good with the needle and places the ink in the correct layer of the epidermis, and you follow the aftercare instructions to a T, you shouldn't need ongoing touch-ups throughout your life.

on the other hand, some people just don't heal that great. but when you've seen enough healed tattoos, you can tell the difference between shoddy tattoo artisty, and a lack of following aftercare instructions.

so like i said, you find a good artist, and take good care of your tattoo, you may need a touch-up after the tattoo is initially finished, but you really shouldn't need to be going back for 2 or 3 + sessions of touch-ups. most good artists usually provide 1 round of touch-ups for free, or a discounted price.

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Originally Posted by katia

this is PARTIALLY true. on one hand, if you go to a good shop, and get tattooed by a good artist, they will give you very detailed and thorough aftercare instructions. the #1 thing ANY tattoo artist will tell you is NO SCRATCHING and NO PICKING!!! they will let you know what is going to happen to your tattoo as it heals. scabbing, peeling, itching, etc. and if your artist is good with the needle and places the ink in the correct layer of the epidermis, and you follow the aftercare instructions to a T, you shouldn't need ongoing touch-ups throughout your life.

on the other hand, some people just don't heal that great. but when you've seen enough healed tattoos, you can tell the difference between shoddy tattoo artisty, and a lack of following aftercare instructions.

so like i said, you find a good artist, and take good care of your tattoo, you may need a touch-up after the tattoo is initially finished, but you really shouldn't need to be going back for 2 or 3 + sessions of touch-ups. most good artists usually provide 1 round of touch-ups for free, or a discounted price.

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Yep, he told me the aftercare instructions, but I really didn't listen. Anyways you never answered my question lol.

Wait, this isn't about Sake?

Also, some folks, the lucky ones like me, have skin that pushes the ink out. I've got a black piece on my shoulder that was done at least 3 times and is still not as dark as when it was first done. I don't get a lot of sun, took proper care of it, it wasn't my first, and the guy who did it is really good.

Lots of variables involved.

Back to Sake, cold is good but hot will do.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Yep, he told me the aftercare instructions, but I really didn't listen. Anyways you never answered my question lol.

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teehee thanks for the flattery but i've only been on these forums a short while, wouldn't want to get myself banned or anything, lol!

euphuistical, have you decided what type of snake you want yet (i'm assuming BP)?

I wouldn't get a snake, I think you were talking to the original thread poster though, and get banned? Never. PM me. lol

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Originally Posted by katia

teehee thanks for the flattery but i've only been on these forums a short while, wouldn't want to get myself banned or anything, lol!

euphuistical, have you decided what type of snake you want yet (i'm assuming BP)?

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Nope. Still not sure if I want it yet. I'm leaning toward a bumble bee or maybe a lemon blast. A mojave is another possibility. Any input on those? They are all morphs I love and either have (mojo) or will have in a few seasons hopefully.

Also may want a clown or caramel glow. Too many to choose from.

Any other morph suggestions are highly welcomed!

If I were to get my snake, it would be my anaconda, and that would be a really big tattoo when she got bigger.

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Originally Posted by euphuistical

Nope. Still not sure if I want it yet. I'm leaning toward a bumble bee or maybe a lemon blast. A mojave is another possibility. Any input on those? They are all morphs I love and either have (mojo) or will have in a few seasons hopefully.

Also may want a clown or caramel glow. Too many to choose from.

Any other morph suggestions are highly welcomed!

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the thing is, a tattoo will never, ever look exactly the same as it does on paper/in real life. at least the colors won't, anyways. i would go for a snake with a distinct pattern rather than a distinct color. i would suggest taking in a few pictures (or snakes!) to your artist of choice and see what they think about how the final product would look. not sure how they would feel about the snakes though...

Yeah I am leaning towards a slider or pinstripe and I really wanna bring the actual snakes in to the shop or at least show them to the artist.

So a spider, clown, or pinstripe would all be good choices, eh? Ateast as a base pattern (a bee would still have the distinct pattern).

yeah for sure, i think spider would be THE best! kind of biased because they're my favorite morph and i happen to have a really beautiful one...but STILL!

Get your tattoo done by someone who KNOWS snakes, and knows how to do them well. That is all i will tell you.

Do NOT go cheap. you WILL absolutely regret it.

definitely. you get what you pay for. if a shop charges $50 an hour, you're going to get a tattoo that looks like it was done in a shop that charges $50 an hour. my artist charges $150 an hour. pricey, yes. worth it? HELL yes! oh also remember i'm in canada, so pricing may be slightly different where you are.

keep in mind though, price is like cleanliness. the cleanest place could still have an inexperienced and just plain bad tattoo artist. a pricey place could also have a bad tattoo artist. generally, this isn't the case though. would a shop that charges $150 an hour employ a bad tattoo artist, and risk having it spread around that their artists are crap? highly doubtful. and in that case, it's not even rumors, bad tattoos are proof that the shop is crap. but really, it's all about research.

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Originally Posted by PolishPython

I dont have a snake answer for you but take some advice from me take time and do your research do not get something to small you will regret it .. I made the mistake by getting my first tattoo too small luckily I was able to modify it later on but people generally make the mistake by getting their first tattoo too small because they dont know how bad the tattoo will hurt.

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Totally true... then you end up with a dime-sized blob after a few years. :rofl:

My first one wasn't too small, and has held its color/shape fairly well over the (16?) years. Now I have many more, and they seem to keep getting bigger - LOL. I've also been thinking about a snake tattoo, but can't decide where to put it. I would love to do it around my wrist, if I weren't in such a conservative profession. :cool:

As for which morph to get, I personally would go with something like a pastel or lemon-blast, since yellows tend to age well... or just a really hot looking normal, perhaps. But it depends on your skin tone, since each color will look different on everyone - hopefully the artist will advise you on that. Good luck, and promise you'll share pictures if you do it!

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Originally Posted by Buttons

A properly done and cared for tattoo shouldn't need touchups. I have yellow on me that's 10+ years old and still as bright as the day I got it.

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Yup. Here's my first one, after 16+ years and ZERO touch-ups... looks pretty much the same as it did when I got it:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...os/RoseTat.jpg

The ink they use today holds much better than in the past, and I have yet to face a fading tattoo. ;)

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Originally Posted by Neal

Actually, you're information is quite inaccurate well partially, not about the cared for, that was accurate. The shop can be the best in the business, sometimes you need touchups sometimes you don't. Some people don't follow directions, and don't properly care for it, others may make an honest mistake and try to peel the skin off, and in some cases i've seen to where it messes up the line, makes it almost seem like they skipped a spot. It happens, different things happen, and people are all different. I had a guy that goes on tours do the tattoo on my chest(dragon) and about the time it was peeling, I peeled a bit off by the very tip of the tail, and it looks almost like he missed a spot, which he didn't it was my own fault due to peeling.

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I'll give you that... I made the mistake of trying a "healing" product on one of mine, and it turned out I was horribly allergic to the ingredients. As a typically sensitive-skinned redhead, I should have known better! :rolleyes: It's a mostly black tattoo, and I did end up with some faded spots due to the infection (which followed the allergic reaction). I still haven't fixed that, now that you mention it...

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Originally Posted by Neal

Actually, you're information is quite inaccurate well partially, not about the cared for, that was accurate. The shop can be the best in the business, sometimes you need touchups sometimes you don't. Some people don't follow directions, and don't properly care for it, others may make an honest mistake and try to peel the skin off, and in some cases i've seen to where it messes up the line, makes it almost seem like they skipped a spot. It happens, different things happen, and people are all different. I had a guy that goes on tours do the tattoo on my chest(dragon) and about the time it was peeling, I peeled a bit off by the very tip of the tail, and it looks almost like he missed a spot, which he didn't it was my own fault due to peeling.

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Soooooo ... you agree with my post? :confused: A properly done and cared for tattoo will NOT need touchups.

Nothing I typed was inaccurate. You basically agreed with what I typed.

I don't care if your artist "toured" anywhere. Your tattoos are run of the mill street shop tattoos that any old artist could do. :rofl: