Currancy Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 Hey everybody, I have a question that may have a simple answer. I'm a black guy and I would love to get some colour in a few of my future pieces but the person who did my first few said that colour will not take to my skin and red would end up turning out like a burnt orange colour. I've done some research online and most things say that it depends on the artist, their skill level and the quality of ink they use. So basically my question is are there any people of colour on here that have colour tattoos or any artists that have done colour tattoos on a coloured person? Also if there is anybody in the Toronto area that could recommend a good artist for the job, if it is in fact possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgiles Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 It depends on how dark you are as to how the color 'takes'. Generally speaking, you should take the artist's advice as he is the expert, however one expert may be more expert than another. I get a lot of color tattoos and I am not exactly a white guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Flores Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 I think it really depends on how dark your skin is really. Quality of artist and pigment used is going to affect the tattoo regardless, but ultimately the tattoo is viewed through the first few layers of your skin. The more me melanin in your skin the harder it will be able to see certain colors and the more it affects how those colors look. Even being light brown this affects how color tattoos look on my skin. I know there is a thread somewhere about shops to go in Toronto, because at the end of the the tattooer is going to be the one to make the final call about what is feasible and what they feel comfortable doing. From what I understand TCB tattoo is a good shop but not that familiar with the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Shit Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 Lizzie@ Speakeasy Tattoo Archive Tattoo :: Home ? Passage Tattoo ? 416-929-7330 Toronto Ontario Canada Seven Crowns Toronto's best tattoos, Tattoo shop, Rev Matt Ellis, George Brown III, Morgan McDonald, ?Doctor? Savannah Parent, Star wars tattoos, Japanese Tattoo, Yonge and Eglington Tattoo shop, Canadian Tattoo shop, Cool Tattoos, Colour Tattoos, Bl Pearl Harbor Gift Shop The Okey Doke Tattoo Shop | Toronto's tattoos done while u wait. Jack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmitty Posted April 16, 2012 Share Posted April 16, 2012 I've done lots of full color tattoos on darker skin, it does have a lot to do with not only how dark you are, but also weather you have a warm or cool complexion. The last part kind of has to do with what colors would be smart to use on you. But like everyone has already said check with your favorite tattoo artist and go from there. Havoksanimosity 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Currancy Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Thanks everyone for the replies. I don't think I would have an issue with colour but you guys are right when you say the artist would know best, I'll just have to check out some different artists and get some opinions. Thanks everybody. RoryQ and Lochlan 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InkByEric Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Basically, its like this. Go try to color on a black piece of construction paper. Not gonna happen. Our skin is like a sheet of paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evlink2006 Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 Basically, its like this. Go try to color on a black piece of construction paper. Not gonna happen. Our skin is like a sheet of paper. Not actually. The reason dark skin doesn't "take" color is that tattoo ink is placed below the layer of skin that contains the natural pigment. The color is in effect being shown thru a filter tinted by the skins pigment. Depending on the warm or cool values of the skin you can determine what colors will show up best. Example yellows don't show well in warm skin tones. kylegrey, Shadow, hogg and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 I've never seen skin the the color of black paper or white paper on anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cork Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 There is a black guy at the gym I frequent who has the spartan shield with the red cloak hanging around it. You can definitely tell that it's red, but it's very dark. I'd say on the scale of blackness, he is about average skin tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiling.politely Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 definitely about the exact skin tone... the former vocalist from Killswitch Engage has a bunch of color tattoos, but i've also seen a tattooer put a tiger on a guy that was invisible, until he came back and threw in some white highlights. the contrast afforded popped it right out. for clarification, the tattoo was invisible, not the gentleman being tattooed. that'd be a completely different story. ChrisvK, spookysproul and Dude 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duffa Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 for clarification, the tattoo was invisible, not the gentleman being tattooed. that'd be a completely different story. I say you share that story ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 definitely about the exact skin tone... the former vocalist from Killswitch Engage has a bunch of color tattoos... Pic for reference: Havoksanimosity 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Morrow Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 Howard Jones doesn't seem dark at all. He seems to just look like a Hispanic, skin tone wise, or a White guy with a medium tan. The colors show right through him pretty clearly. If you have that complexion I wouldn't think you'd have much to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Gant Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I am actually really concerned about this too. D: but I have to so say you'd have to experiment with color palettes. if you're very dark, maybe yellow/pinks will be out of the question. but I'm not a tattoo artist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERD RAGE Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 The answer to this question is, of course, "it depends on your skin tone" which leads to "talk to an artist". "Talk to an artist" is usually a good suggestion. But to add some more interesting content, here are a few of mine to see how some color works on my skin: I'm on the lighter side, though, so again, exact skin tone will be key. cltattooing, Delicious, tatB and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkest light tattoo Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 the one thing you have to remember is tattoo ink is opaque or see through if your skin tone is dark then no matter what the colors in your skin will be muted out by the darkness of your skin. however having an artist that puts color in solid will be the most important think if you decide to go with color. one last think most people with dark complexions will have lighter areas that are not exposed to the sun your upper legs inner biceps upper rib areas. If you take these things into considerations and have a honest good artist you will be happy with what ever you decide good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagua Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 I've done lots of full color tattoos on darker skin, it does have a lot to do with not only how dark you are, but also weather you have a warm or cool complexion. The last part kind of has to do with what colors would be smart to use on you. But like everyone has already said check with your favorite tattoo artist and go from there.What does this mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagua Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 My wife is wanting to get red and blue colors on her tattoo. Can someone please tell me what is warm or cool complexion mean? In this pic would red and blue work on her skin tone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatB Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Here is an example of what red and blue might look like on darker skin: Tattoo by JoJo Ackermann (linked to his instagram) fyi incase you are at work... the picture is of a full female back piece so it includes lady butt ironchef 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 My wife is wanting to get red and blue colors on her tattoo. Can someone please tell me what is warm or cool complexion mean? In this pic would red and blue work on her skin tone? She needs to talk to a tattoo artist in person, that is the only person who can give her an answer. Delicious, tatB and ironchef 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagua Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Here is an example of what red and blue might look like on darker skin:Tattoo by JoJo Ackermann fyi incase you are at work... the picture is of a full female back piece so it includes lady butt Tried to open it but it won't. Am on the iPhone. Will try when I get home. And thanks She needs to talk to a tattoo artist in person, that is the only person who can give her an answer.Ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NERD RAGE Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 She needs to talk to a tattoo artist in person, that is the only person who can give her an answer. Really this is the only answer. We can give opinions and post examples and the artists here can give expert opinions, but talking to someone in person will give you a better answer. Find out who the good artists are in your travel range, whatever that may be, and talk to some. Just don't settle for a mediocre artist just because they have experience with darker skin. She should get the best work possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagua Posted July 31, 2013 Share Posted July 31, 2013 Really this is the only answer. We can give opinions and post examples and the artists here can give expert opinions, but talking to someone in person will give you a better answer. Find out who the good artists are in your travel range, whatever that may be, and talk to some. Just don't settle for a mediocre artist just because they have experience with darker skin. She should get the best work possible.Ok. She is in the Dominican Republic for the next 5 months and I am going to see her next week. We connected with a artist in Punta Cana,Dominican Republic and he did not recommend it. But he was not sure because everybody is different. He gave no guarantee. Thank you for your support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinamin Posted August 1, 2013 Share Posted August 1, 2013 I am a warm brown complexion, and got my first colour tattoos over 10 years ago in Brampton, ON. I distinctly remember Chris, the tattoo artist, telling me I couldn't use orange or yellow, because it wouldn't show. I have a teal (bluish green) clover and a red fox, and both of them the colours show perfectly. My brother who is the same complexion as me, has a full chest piece, upper arms, and back piece, using virtually all bright colours, except orange. His does have a little yellow in one, but its a very small section. My next piece is a large floral piece, and I intend to use colours in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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