Latest tattoo lowdown.....

[Rad Kelham]

Here's the trick to Bactine: get the squirt bottle, NOT the spray bottle (spray can introduce airborne bacteria - if all you can get is the spray bottle then transfer it to a squirt/wash/Nalgene bottle). Now, squirt the tattoo using gloved hands to catch the excess, and rub it into the OPEN tattoo (linework usually isn't enough). Then let it sit on there for a few minutes, and then start tattooing without wiping it off the skin. Lidocaine won't fuck up your tattoo in any way and you won't OD. Note this does NOT apply to other numbing products, especially those with Epinephrine in them.

Some people spray a couple squirts on and wipe it off immediately with a paper towel, and surprise, it doesn't work.

This isn't a trade secret or technical information, by the way. I learned this as a collector long before I became an apprentice.

[marley mission]

couple from today...errr...yesterday - stolen from the artist IG

traditional pieces by Shannon Pagliarini @ Crown and Anchor Tattoo in Pt. Pleasant, NJ

[pidjones]

Just be forewarned that some are very allergic/hypersensitive to lidocaine.

[jen7]

wow, never heard of the bactine treatment. coulda used that on my last session.

[xcom]

I used H2Ocean Nothing before.

My first session was so painful that I couldn't even sit up straight... My artist used it a few times on the first planet... It has so many over passes that I lost count... I am usually ok with pain even though I am a wuss when it comes to it... My last session felt like shit!!! and didn't use it. 4hrs of grinding the last planet and details... uuuuffff don't want to remember....

Every time I see @SeeSea (and others!) I just cant imagine the pain she went through... I know that to archive the color variations that she has on her back costed many passes over the same area and not to use "some thing" to take the edge off at times is just truly amazing... I am sure is nothing compare to having a baby... A walk in the park I am sure :)

Lets not forget that this is all new so imagine getting a tattoo like that back than....

If you look at my pics right in the shop you could see that the first session my lower right hand side of my back where thew planet is, You could see how red and swollen that part is. That's the part I used it a couple of times.

Second session was walk in the park. Third Session not so much but like I said I didnt use it.

[Bmore]

Just got this one from Mike Fite at the Baltimore Tattoo Convention. Picture lifted from his instagram.

[polliwog]

Aaaaaaa that's so cool!! @Bunny Switchblade gives great advice!

It's been said many times before, but I love it when folks here end up with great tattoos thanks to the advice of knowledgeable posters.

[xcom]

I am stoked!

Saw a post from Jon on instagram that his appointment did a no show no call and was looking for somebody to fill the spot for 8hrs.

wwww00000tttttt!!!!

I am game homie!

1st Session 6hrs.

[purplelace]

@xcom that is pretty :)

[Patrick Bateman]

[ATTACH]12329[/ATTACH]

This is really cool man.

[Rad Kelham]

This is really cool man.

Thanks. Trevor Shea is awesome. Here is some more of his work on my woman.

[Rad Kelham]

Thanks. Trevor Shea is awesome. Here is some more of his work on my woman. [ATTACH]12347[/ATTACH]

[suburbanxcore]

I posted a little sneak peak on Instagram (@suburbanxcore), but Grez and I finally got into some brighter colors on my fifth session this weekend. My dragon now has a bright red belly to really pop out from his green scale and the darker eagle. It's starting to really come together.

Not in again until 5/16 for Ed Hardy day and a three hour session!

[six times seven]

Snuck in with Myles Karr while he was guesting at the Torchbearer this past weekend.

photo courtesy of his Instagram.

[xcom]

Snuck in with Myles Karr while he was guesting at the Torchbearer this past weekend.

photo courtesy of his Instagram.

Sick!

- - - Updated - - -

@xcom that is pretty :)

Thanks! :)

[sighthound]

@Rad Kelham that knee tiger head is so nice. Is that Trevor Shea also?

[Rad Kelham]

@Rad Kelham that knee tiger head is so nice. Is that Trevor Shea also?

Yup. It is. He is now on Instagram @Victorytattooing

[Guero]

It says "Oh Bury Me Not" (on the lone prairie) on the other side.

By Kemer in Leon GTO Mexico

[SStu]

Here's the trick to Bactine:

One of my artists dipped his paper towel wipe into a container of bactine after the 1st 3 or so hours. From then on the wiping was actually helping deaden the working area.

[sophistre]

Thanks. Trevor Shea is awesome. Here is some more of his work on my woman. [ATTACH]12347[/ATTACH]

These are beautiful.

[Isaiah118]

New member here. Finally getting to get tattoos I've always wanted and loving it!

[sophistre]

Hokay, cross-posting by request, cos SeeSea is such a flatterer. I was going to wait until Greg posted the pictures he took of the new stuff, but he may not. Sun came out today when I was about to head to the gym, so I tried to get some myself.

I got a diving girl, and we started a cobra, though we didn't finish it. They're looking a little bit foggy/chalky because I peel fast; they'll probably start flaking by tomorrow. It makes it hard to see the blue details in the diving girl, sadly. Sorry for the terrible angles!

These links are just an overview of the whole thing, before we added the cobra.

https://instagram.com/p/1gugZ7TBPK/

https://instagram.com/p/1guZOxTBO-/

[Bmore]

Hokay, cross-posting by request, cos SeeSea is such a flatterer. I was going to wait until Greg posted the pictures he took of the new stuff, but he may not. Sun came out today when I was about to head to the gym, so I tried to get some myself.

I got a diving girl, and we started a cobra, though we didn't finish it. They're looking a little bit foggy/chalky because I peel fast; they'll probably start flaking by tomorrow. It makes it hard to see the blue details in the diving girl, sadly. Sorry for the terrible angles!

These links are just an overview of the whole thing, before we added the cobra.

https://instagram.com/p/1gugZ7TBPK/

https://instagram.com/p/1guZOxTBO-/

Can I borrow your arm, and possibly not return it? Between the thread you posted before and seeing the backside now, man, lookin' good.

[Rad Kelham]

I love Greg's work, although I must admit that I preferred his style before he switched to traditional. This arm is great. However, I've always been curious why some people prefer to have a bunch of one point tattoos rather than a full cohesive sleeve with a single focal image and background. Curious to hear your answer.

[Bmore]

I love Greg's work, although I must admit that I preferred his style before he switched to traditional. This arm is great. However, I've always been curious why some people prefer to have a bunch of one point tattoos rather than a full cohesive sleeve with a single focal image and background. Curious to hear your answer.

I like both, but that sounds like an aesthetics thing, akin to asking someone why they like one color as opposed to another. It could also have to do with how you approach getting tattooed.

I really like the aesthetics of artfully using negative space, as well as the versatility afforded by this method. I also currently have my entire right arm preserved for the possibility of a Japanese traditional sleeve. I think American traditional tends to lend itself to the aforementioned style, and that happens to be what I prefer.

I'm also drunk and typing with my left hand because my right hand is greasy and garlicky from eating pizza. Good day to you sir.