tattoo

[PJ FF]

Hey everyone... I am thinking about getting my first tattoo and I dont just want a small one. I was thinking about doing a half sleeve so that I can cover it up at any given time with a t-shirt. Does anybody here have a half sleeve? I want it to be a single peice and almost cover the upper part of my arm and shoulder. Any ideas?

[wolfy-hound]

My advice would be to think it over a long long time. If you haven't decided on a specific tattoo and been happy with that idea for 6 months, I wouldn't get it personally.
I have two, and have one other planned. 6 months ago I had 3 planned. I'm tentative about getting a ball python one, but it's probaly going to get done at some point.
A tattoo should be a personal thing and is a permanant addition to your body. A half sleeve(or possibly quarter sleeve which might be what you mean too) is a lot to get put on you to decide later you don't like it. It's hard to cover up withs omething else later too.
Myself, I'm all for original art that means something to the wearer. Both of mine were all orignal, and have deep meaning. With traditional art, the koi and the dragons are seen a lot because they always look good.
Snakes can be hit or miss, it depends on the artist. I'm not a fan of most of the demons, skulls and such, so I couldn't advise you on those.
Wolfy

[daaangconcepts]

Personally I think going big for your first tattoo is a great idea! I see more and more people actually doing that lately.

I suggest you do some searching on the internet. Find some peices you like, make an appointment with an artist and bring in a couple ideas. He should be able to get a good idea of what you want from what you brought in and can put some things togethor for you. Basically drawing you up something kinda "orginal".

I almost have a half sleeve. It stops a little shy of my elbow. I went with black & grey work only and japanese themed (peonies, windbars, cherry blossoms). I do have to wear long sleeves to work each day, and yes sometimes I guess it does get super annoying. But its worth it to me...and that's all that matters really.

[Ginevive]

My fiancee has a half-sleeve (actually it might qualify as a third-sleeve.) He can cover it completely with a regular guy's tee-shirt sleeve. I wish you were in NY; mark works at Stylin' Tattoo here on the weekends.
Just keep in mind your future career plans before getting or designing one. If you're self-employed, will you always be? If you work in an office, will you get written up for it? I work in collections, and my employer is very liberal about tattoos; many people have them as well as facial piercings with no arguments from management. But if you work in culinary or other face-to-face-customer relations fields, there could be problems..

[Ginevive]

My fiancee has a half-sleeve (actually it might qualify as a third-sleeve.) He can cover it completely with a regular guy's tee-shirt sleeve. I wish you were in NY; Mark works at Stylin' Tattoo here on the weekends.
Just keep in mind your future career plans before getting or designing one. If you're self-employed, will you always be? If you work in an office, will you get written up for it? I work in collections, and my employer is very liberal about tattoos; many people have them as well as facial piercings with no arguments from management. But if you work in culinary or other face-to-face-customer relations fields, there could be problems..
I have an ex whose attitude was "oh, I will get all the tats and piercings I want, anywhere, and if no one wants to hire me, oh well!" Needless to say he is not employed. He sits home and lets his wife work.. sad representation of a tattooed person, in my book.
That fun stuff being said; going big is the way to go! You can get an awesome design while still being able to cover up as the need arises.

[darkangel]

I almost have a half sleeve. It stops a little shy of my elbow. I went with black & grey work only and japanese themed (peonies, windbars, cherry blossoms). I do have to wear long sleeves to work each day, and yes sometimes I guess it does get super annoying. But its worth it to me...and that's all that matters really.

That sounds really cool. Do you have pictures of it?

[darkdreamer]

Three things to remember and do.
1. think about the design you want for a while before you get it. I have wings on my whole back 50+ hours of work over about 4k. I always wanted wings on my back and it was 6 years before I got started on it. SO find the design and think it over a while to be sure you dont regret it. If your tattoo means something or represents something that is important to you its a plus as well.

2. Research the artists youy are going to have do the work, look around compare each artists, dont get a tat on the spur of the moment if you do your research you will be able to get your tat done by someone that is good at it..

3. remember your future in the job area, if you can cover it up go for it if you cant make sure you are willing to possibly not get a job because of your tats.

Thats about it, just remember to take your time in selecting the atrists and tat. after all it will be with you till you die.

[Jmiller250]

I am starting a sleeve in a couple of days. It is of my design and it will be one of a kind. I suggest going to different atrists and shops with your idea and see what they can do sketchwise for you. I work a fairly conservative job and I can wear short sleeves but i will probably end up wearing long sleeve. For what you should get- something you like and want to live with the rest of your life, just remember it doesnt matter what others think its the meaning of it that counts for you. Think ahead of time and good luck with your decision.

[recycling goddess]

i have a full sleeve... and i'm a 43 yr old woman. it's a goddess with flowers... very pretty. i love it.

remember... as you age you will want to love your tat... so don't get something that you are "into" now and may not be in a 10 years

[Ginevive]

Here is my honey's tattoo. He got it from Mike Taylor (his shop is called Iron Horse South in Blasdell NY.) Awesome artist. This was a coverup of a crappy winged dragin thing that you cannot notice its location, unless you knew it was there. The pic is blurry and it looks better in person with Very fine lines!




I will post mine whenever time pernits