Need YOUR help for BP tattoo

So, I've decided to get my Ball Python tattoo this weekend on Sunday.
What I want done is basically a ball python print outlining the side of my foot, which each individual scale making up the pattern.

I've already gone through several pictures and can't seem to find a way to make the pattern look... natural (for lack of a better word)

I'm not at all a good artist and figured this would be the best place to come to seek some advice.

Any drawings (greatly appreciated), pictures, or ideas that would suit my tattoo would be a great help.

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Originally Posted by Pandora

So, I've decided to get my Ball Python tattoo this weekend on Sunday.
What I want done is basically a ball python print outlining the side of my foot, which each individual scale making up the pattern.

I've already gone through several pictures and can't seem to find a way to make the pattern look... natural (for lack of a better word)

I'm not at all a good artist and figured this would be the best place to come to seek some advice.

Any drawings (greatly appreciated), pictures, or ideas that would suit my tattoo would be a great help.

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the easiest way would be photoshop and use an effect to first remove the hugh saturation so its black and white then your going to want to tweak the contrast and finally remove some stuff. leaving you with the snake silhouette and of course the scale pattern :P i could give it a try if you have a picture you would like to do.

Find a quality tattoo artist and they should be able to draw something up for you as long as you bring in a few reference photos. They will also be able to give you some advice on what is and is not possible and what will or will not look good. I've found that when you let the artist actually draw it up themselves you end up with a much better looking tattoo. With the exception of the tattoo my friend drew I've always given artistic liscense to the tattoo artist. My two cents :)

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Find a quality tattoo artist and they should be able to draw something up for you as long as you bring in a few reference photos. They will also be able to give you some advice on what is and is not possible and what will or will not look good. I've found that when you let the artist actually draw it up themselves you end up with a much better looking tattoo. With the exception of the tattoo my friend drew I've always given artistic liscense to the tattoo artist. My two cents :)

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ive always drawn my own. but good idea!

just to clarify...
its not an actual snake im getting tattooed
just the pattern
and i have a tattoo artist who does all my tattoos but i need to bring him a reference of the pattern i want done

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Originally Posted by Pandora

just to clarify...
its not an actual snake im getting tattooed
just the pattern
and i have a tattoo artist who does all my tattoos but i need to bring him a reference of the pattern i want done

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why not use your BP as a reference?

LOL I can't answer your question but this relates to me somehow. My dad said his next tattoo will be my bp Bob constricting a mouse on his back! I'm so happy he is taking interest in my snakes!

so you are trying to make your foot look like it has snake scales?! sounds kinda nasty to me...

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

so you are trying to make your foot look like it has snake scales?! sounds kinda nasty to me...

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what it sounds like to you really doesn't matter

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

why not use your BP as a reference?

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i was actually thinking of getting pandora's pattern tattooed, but i dont have a single good picture of it or the colour i want done

Wicked idea. I'm assuming you've tried Google Images search?

http://tapemporium.com/TapShoes/Cust...ke_Pattern.jpg

http://www.monkeyfrog.com/images/meg..._closeup_2.JPG

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D20%26um%3D1

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Originally Posted by Meghan

Wicked idea. I'm assuming you've tried Google Images search?

http://tapemporium.com/TapShoes/Cust...ke_Pattern.jpg

http://www.monkeyfrog.com/images/meg..._closeup_2.JPG

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D20%26um%3D1

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thanks very much for all your help
the second one will definitely come in handy!

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Originally Posted by Pandora

what it sounds like to you really doesn't matter

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maybe I just don't understand the concept.... and if what people thought doesn't matter to you, you wouldn't be on this forum looking for "advice" :gj:

:confused:


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/9ea2e882.jpg


:confuzd:

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Originally Posted by Jerhart

:confused:


http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/9ea2e882.jpg


:confuzd:

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Yeah, something like that was what I was thinking but I don't see how you could possibly do such a tattoo... without it being a tattoo of the entire snake. I am sorry, but as an SERIOUS lover of tattoos, what I have pictured in my head just looks REALLY bad.

Here's a nice one


:)http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...d1/blkpas1.jpg

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

maybe I just don't understand the concept.... and if what people thought doesn't matter to you, you wouldn't be on this forum looking for "advice" :gj:

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im looking for help on getting the tattoo done
not asking for your opinion on what you think of my tattoo

thank you for reminding me why i stopped visiting this site on a daily basis

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Originally Posted by spk329

Here's a nice one


:)http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...d1/blkpas1.jpg

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PERFECT, thanks so much!
now all i need to find is a good looking pattern from up top :)

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Originally Posted by Pandora

im looking for help on getting the tattoo done
not asking for your opinion on what you think of my tattoo

thank you for reminding me why i stopped visiting this site on a daily basis

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Perhaps I misunderstood your post?

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Originally Posted by Pandora

I'm not at all a good artist and figured this would be the best place to come to seek some advice.
.

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LOL, please retract claws and simmer down.... Life is too short to be so angry all the time! :gj:

Living in Florida fish related tattoos are are very common. Most of the time they have scales. The problem with your idea is that they would have to be TINY scales, and you should really try to stay away from such a complicated tiny pattern with a tattoo. In a year when the lines fatten up the tiniest bit you will loose the detail and it will just look messy.

Wow....talk about rude women.



Thank you for reminding me why I didnt miss you.



Damn that was rude.

i dont think she is in a great mood today. se was getting a lil hot in the coller in my thread too. cant we all be pals :P

geez....people r kinda rude....r u just trying to get the pattern done...is your artist good enough to do it...

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

Perhaps I misunderstood your post?



LOL, please retract claws and simmer down.... Life is too short to be so angry all the time! :gj:

Living in Florida fish related tattoos are are very common. Most of the time they have scales. The problem with your idea is that they would have to be TINY scales, and you should really try to stay away from such a complicated tiny pattern with a tattoo. In a year when the lines fatten up the tiniest bit you will loose the detail and it will just look messy.

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Nobody's angry; just don't expect people to give you the best attitude when you come along with unnecessary comments. It was pretty obvious that I came here for help to get my tattoo done as appose to people's opinions on the tattoo idea.

And I'm well aware of what happens to tattoos over time, which is why I've taken the size of the scales into consideration... but thanks for stating the obvious.

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Originally Posted by Shin86

geez....people r kinda rude....r u just trying to get the pattern done...is your artist good enough to do it...

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Yes, my artist is more than good enough to do it.

Can we please get back on topic now

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Originally Posted by Shin86

geez....people r kinda rude....r u just trying to get the pattern done...is your artist good enough to do it...

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problem is even the best tattoo artist in the world can't stop the lines from fattening up a little in time. This is true with any tattoo.... But specificly when you are talking about the level of detail this would require... it is not going to be pretty!

I have a huge mermaid on the side of my leg, with fairly complicated larger scales. when it was first done the scales were very clean and crisp. Now after a short period of time, you can deffinately see a little softening of the the lines. These are BIG scales. what she is talking about would be small scales!

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Originally Posted by Patrick Long

Wow....talk about rude women.

Witch with a B.......


Thank you for reminding me why I didnt miss you.



Damn that was rude.

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I'm rude for telling someone their opinion wasn't asked for, but you're not rude for calling me a "witch with a b..." ??

Right...

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

problem is even the best tattoo artist in the world can't stop the lines from fattening up a little

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ESPECIALLY on the foot

to the OP, Good luck. Be sure to post a pic of the finished tattoo. Will enjoy the laugh.

buh bye.

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Originally Posted by Pandora

I'm rude for telling someone their opinion wasn't asked for, but you're not rude for calling me a "witch with a b..." ??

Right...

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You DID ask for help on a PUBLIC forum.

Perhaps next time you can tell Mike something along the lines of, "Thanks for your input, good thing it is going on my body and not yours..." And moved along.

I am sure Mike would have been cool with that.

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

problem is even the best tattoo artist in the world can't stop the lines from fattening up a little in time. This is true with any tattoo.... But specificly when you are talking about the level of detail this would require... it is not going to be pretty!

I have a huge mermaid on the side of my leg, with fairly complicated larger scales. when it was first done the scales were very clean and crisp. Now after a short period of time, you can deffinately see a little softening of the the lines. These are BIG scales. what she is talking about would be small scales!

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I'm sorry but where in this entire thread did I once mention how big or small the scales were going to be?

FYI: WHERE you get your tattoo done affects the stretching of your skin and the tattoo over time.
The skin on top of my foot will not nearly lose as much elasticity as the side of someone's leg.
You may as well not get any tattoos done if you're so concerned about the lines not being crisp with time.
As much as I appreciate your over-concern for what my tattoo's going to look like in a few years, I came here to get some help on the design of the tattoo. So if you wish to discuss the aging of tattoos, please start another thread. Thanks

the fine detail of the skull i drew on my back has already begin to fade.

its the nature of the beast. this is why i chose something that will still look like it was supposed to be once the ink sinks in and my skin grows. black is bad, but colors are horrible for this. My girlfriend has her twin sisters lip prints pn her shoulder and she had to get it touched up yearly to keep the lip detail.

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Originally Posted by Jerhart

You DID ask for help on a PUBLIC forum.

Perhaps next time you can tell Mike something along the lines of, "Thanks for your input, good thing it is going on my body and not yours..." And moved along.

I am sure Mike would have been cool with that.

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What I asked for help with was the tattoo's design, not opinions on how good of a design it was or whether or not it will look good in a few years.

Perhaps next time Mike can keep his opinions to himself when they aren't needed or be a little less rude while doing so.

I'm sure I would have been a lot more than cool with that.
:)

Well I think it sounds like a pretty sweet tattoo and would honestly like to see pics once you get it done! I've been wanting to get my family coat of arms done for several years now and have finally picked an artist. I'm just working on figuring out the size and placement I want now for the same reasons stated above. All I can say is go with something you love and know you will even in the following years after it has aged a bit. Good luck with the design and don't forget to post it up:gj:

Hey, Pandora. I dug through my computer and found these photos. They might help you. The photos are macros of my girly, Adalae.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../photos060.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...e040508007.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...e040508041.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...e040508005.jpg



I think having a tattoo of just the scales of the snake is a very unique idea. I also thought about what Mike had said - lines fading over time. But I don't see why you would need to draw EVERY scale into the tattoo. A lot of times, scales are drawn by just drawing a handful in here and there to give the illusion of being covered in scales. (If that makes any sense...) You might look into that option.

Also, I try not to step into arguments, but Pat, your comment really surprised me. I thought it was very rude, and kind of uncalled for. :( Mike can stand up for himself if he wants to. He always does...

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

Also, I try not to step into arguments, but Pat, your comment really surprised me. I thought it was very rude, and kind of uncalled for. :( Mike can stand up for himself if he wants to. He always does...

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Wasnt standing up for Mike, or anyone at that matter.


I was giving my opinion on how rude I thought she was being. Regardless of what Mike and her had going, I would have said the same damn thing. Would say it again.


LOL are you really surprised that I thought she was rude...really?

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

Hey, Pandora. I dug through my computer and found these photos. They might help you. The photos are macros of my girly, Adalae.

I think having a tattoo of just the scales of the snake is a very unique idea. I also thought about what Mike had said - lines fading over time. But I don't see why you would need to draw EVERY scale into the tattoo. A lot of times, scales are drawn by just drawing a handful in here and there to give the illusion of being covered in scales. (If that makes any sense...) You might look into that option.

Also, I try not to step into arguments, but Pat, your comment really surprised me. I thought it was very rude, and kind of uncalled for. :( Mike can stand up for himself if he wants to. He always does...

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Thank you SO much!
The 2nd and 4th pictures will definitely come in handy
I definitely understand what you mean about the individual scales and I probably didn't word it correctly when I meant to describe how I wanted the tattoo done but it's something along the lines of what you were saying. The appearance of scales will be given off by the way the shading on the pattern is done... if that makes any sense.

But again, thank you :D

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Originally Posted by Mike Cavanaugh

problem is even the best tattoo artist in the world can't stop the lines from fattening up a little in time. This is true with any tattoo.... But specificly when you are talking about the level of detail this would require... it is not going to be pretty!

I have a huge mermaid on the side of my leg, with fairly complicated larger scales. when it was first done the scales were very clean and crisp. Now after a short period of time, you can deffinately see a little softening of the the lines. These are BIG scales. what she is talking about would be small scales!

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Maybe find a better artist for yourself?? ;)

Large clean lines really shouldn't lose that much crispness to notice. What more than likely happened is your artist blew the lines out.

I have work on me that is close to 16 years old now that may not be as crisp as the day I got it (no tattoo will be) but it is still very clear and looks great.

I took some pictures recently at a high resoluthion. you can see allot of scale detail maybe they will help i dont know.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=92990

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

the fine detail of the skull i drew on my back has already begin to fade.

its the nature of the beast. this is why i chose something that will still look like it was supposed to be once the ink sinks in and my skin grows. black is bad, but colors are horrible for this. My girlfriend has her twin sisters lip prints pn her shoulder and she had to get it touched up yearly to keep the lip detail.

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Proper care of a properly done tattoo will keep the colors/blacks from fading. I have yellows that are as bright as the day I got them that are 10-12 years old.

heres a recent pic (not the best quality) of my pastel that i found might help :)

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4371/0503091800.jpg

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Originally Posted by Patrick Long

Wasnt standing up for Mike, or anyone at that matter.


I was giving my opinion on how rude I thought she was being. Regardless of what Mike and her had going, I would have said the same damn thing. Would say it again.


LOL are you really surprised that I thought she was rude...really?

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Not surprised that you thought/called her rude - lots of people are rude all the time. I was more surprised to hear the "B word" thrown around. Well, ... hinted at? Anyway - it doesn't matter. I'm droppin' out now. :P

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

Not surprised that you thought/called her rude - lots of people are rude all the time. I was more surprised to hear the "B word" thrown around. Well, ... hinted at? Anyway - it doesn't matter. I'm droppin' out now. :P

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You are the rudest one on the board! Kidding, glad to see you around again!
OP, why not a "tribal" design instead!

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Originally Posted by juddb

You are the rudest one on the board!

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I wish I could tell you where to go and what to do once you got there, but this is a family-friendly board after-all. ;)

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Originally Posted by juddb

OP, why not a "tribal" design instead!

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Never really been a big tribal tattoo fan
I also decided I didn't actually want to get the physical form of a snake tattooed, just the scales and pattern =]

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Originally Posted by Pandora

Never really been a big tribal tattoo fan
I also decided I didn't actually want to get the physical form of a snake tattooed, just the scales and pattern =]

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Yeah i was just messing around:gj:, if you decide not to go with the scale idea, you might as well get tribal barbed wire around one of your biceps! Its naturally the next best idea!

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Originally Posted by Mindibun

I wish I could tell you where to go and what to do once you got there, but this is a family-friendly board after-all. ;)

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Whaaaa, you make a joke on me:O (borat voice)

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Originally Posted by juddb

Yeah i was just messing around:gj:, if you decide not to go with the scale idea, you might as well get tribal barbed wire around one of your biceps! Its naturally the next best idea!

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WOW! That's the most original tattoo idea ever *runs to tattoo shop*

Sounds like a great tattoo idea. Not sure if these will help or not, but if they do then feel free...

Bruce

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...handstella.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...um/magda13.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...um/magda14.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...lbum/xena3.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...weerashid2.jpg

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Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

Sounds like a great tattoo idea. Not sure if these will help or not, but if they do then feel free...

Bruce

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...handstella.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...um/magda13.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...um/magda14.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...lbum/xena3.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...weerashid2.jpg

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Thanks so much, Bruce =]
a few of those will definitely come in handy

My husband does tattoos; I am by no means an expert. But here is some advice.

Ankle tattoos can really seem to thicken-up your legs/calves. I have a design on my ankle, that I like.. but the top of it ends rather bluntly, which does not go with the "flow" of my leg. Therefore I want to get it extended up more, to come to a point. I wish that I had a pic, but my camera is dead.

I would be sure that any design that you pick, is not "heavy" enough, to look disproportionate on your ankle.

Fine lines can definately fade in the future, especially if your artist did not do a good job on creating a consistent, not "dotted" line. Many artists think that they can outline, but they end up mutilating people with their inconsistent, gone-over-a-ton-of-times, linework. This looks even worse over time; worse yet, if they go into the skin too deep, the ink can even bleed-into your fat cells and spread, or cause the skin to bubble.. I saw this happen once to a client of a friend, and it was horible. But if you have a professional, talented artist, these things should not even be in the equation. Great artists are hard to find these days; I would definately pay extra for one. If I could see a website of the artist that you're lpanning on using, I could advise you on that! It's just something that I never really noticed or thought about, until my husband got into the biz.

But to answer your actual question :) I would take in a few samples of the pattern that you want, along with a photo or two (more is better) of actual snakes, and have him/her (the artist) work with it. You could also draw a drawing of your leg, and show the placement that you want, to be sure that the lines will flow with your body shape. Many things that we draw, will not translate into tattoos well. Case in point is the cat that I got reworked on my ankle. I drew it up myself, got it tattooed.. and the lines just did not look detailed enough, being too close together and having too much detail with thick lines.