tattoo ideas!

[AbsoluteApril]

You are very excited about tattoos and I get that, I love them! I went to a place that didn't card and got my first one at 16. That wasn't the brightest thing for me to do and here I am over 20 years later with a tattoo that is muddy and not that great.

Please make sure to research where you go, look at the artist books, make sure you are happy with their style. Find reviews of the artist online if you can! A lot of them have online portfolios at this point. I wish I had spent more time really figuring out what I wanted and finding a better artist, I don't necessarily regret some of my tattoos, as they do mark a moment in my life, but I really wish I had thought about it more and done more research for some of them.

If you're really into the jellyfish and been wanting it a while, I'd do that. The tattoos I get now, I've wanted for years. There are tattoos I wanted in my teens and 20s that I didn't get (too expensive at that time for me) and now, I'm glad I didn't get them because my tastes and ideas have changed.

As for price - the larger, the more expensive. Color is more but you're going black and grey so it doesn't matter. Also larger tattoos and more contrast with more negative space tend to look the best over the long run (from my experience). Most places will be able to quote you based on the size of the piece, generally it's a price per hour and most artist can estimate how long something will take. The more shading, the longer it'll take. A lot of artist will charge different prices in the same shop depending on their ability, seniority and popularity.

on my forearms i can just wear long sleeves though

Just be totally prepared for this, for life. My first tattoos were on my legs and as a woman, this meant long skirts and/or tall boots. My arm tattoos mean long sleeves were a must when I worked in the corporate world and in customer service. Times are slowly changing and every decade they seem to become less taboo, but it isn't a joke and it is something to think about very seriously. Personally, I'd suggest a first tattoo somewhere more easily hidden, maybe on your back or side or upper shoulder and get the lower forearm one later. You do you, that's just this old lady's $0.02.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!