Thoughts on adding to my eagle tattoo

[metalmancpa]

Now that my wife has ordered me (well, sort of) to add to my eagle because Gunnar's piece overwhelms it and she feels it needs more size and whatever else to make it pop more, I'm thinking of adding a snake to it. Since the eagle is in striking position, I am hoping to find an artist that can wrap a snake (cobra probably) around the eagle with the snake looking at the eagle, and then add background to bring it to approximately the same size as Gunnar's.

I don't believe this would be a coverup, but it would be an addition (if there is a difference). I'm only assuming this is doable. So I guess my question is, can what I'm thinking be pulled off by the right artist (currently searching for one), and I really don't want to travel too far again due to the added cost.

[reverend1]

Hmm, I am not a tattooer and have no idea, but I would assume that it might be difficult to add to the eagle to make it look like one integrated piece. Then again, I might be totally wrong. The best thing might be to add a really strong piece maybe with a overall theme to tie them to together. Like I said I have no idea just me thinking out loud.

[slayer9019]

Just put some more tattoos around it. A picture would help visualize options.

[metalmancpa]

Just put some more tattoos around it. A picture would help visualize options.

I probably have 1.5"-2" around the eagle to work with to have an end product that is comparable in size to my other arm.

I honestly get a little confused when reading about coverups. I always thought you could just add to a tattoo so I didn't think it would be difficult. But then I read more and I get vibes that it wouldn't be easy, that I would have to do a cover up. I really don't want to do anything with the eagle itself - just want it incorporated into a "new" piece.

[slayer9019]

I probably have 1.5"-2" around the eagle to work with to have an end product that is comparable in size to my other arm.

I honestly get a little confused when reading about coverups. I always thought you could just add to a tattoo so I didn't think it would be difficult. But then I read more and I get vibes that it wouldn't be easy, that I would have to do a cover up. I really don't want to do anything with the eagle itself - just want it incorporated into a "new" piece.

you can always add stuff around it.

[metalmancpa]

Russ Abbott emailed me back. Said doing coverups really isn't his thing. He would schedule me for a new tattoo when he guest spots at Off The Map next year, but I really am not looking for a new one, just an addition to the eagle. I can see where an artist wouldn't want to coverup a tattoo he/she didn't work on as then it wouldn't be their original piece of work.

Guess I either leave it alone, or take my one shot when I go back to Hawaii next year and let the original artist do something. Just not sure yet.

[ILikePie]

It's not a bad tattoo It is the bestest tattoo ever. ;)

No really don't sweat it just get more tattoos and you wont notice that one

[metalmancpa]

It's not a bad tattoo It is the bestest tattoo ever. ;)

No really don't sweat it just get more tattoos and you wont notice that one

I'll never live my 1st tattoo excitement down. :)

Oh well. Still would like to add a snake to it - just going to keep looking.

[David Flores]

Russ Abbott has a very different style than your tattoo. I think you might be better off looking for a more traditional tattooer with less stylized work. I really like Russ Abbott's tattoos but I don't think he would be right for this. I am not sure where you are located, but I am sure there are some guys who do eagles and snakes that could help you out.

[metalmancpa]

Russ Abbott has a very different style than your tattoo. I think you might be better off looking for a more traditional tattooer with less stylized work. I really like Russ Abbott's tattoos but I don't think he would be right for this. I am not sure where you are located, but I am sure there are some guys who do eagles and snakes that could help you out.

I'm in Massachusetts. I'm also considering Gunnar again, as in the end that would bring more tattoos closer togther in coloration etc.

[David Flores]

I'm in Massachusetts. I'm also considering Gunnar again, as in the end that would bring more tattoos closer togther in coloration etc.

Gunnars stuff is more stylized than Russ Abbott,but If he will do it I say go for it, cause obviously you seem to like that style and since you've been tattooed by him before maybe he would be more open to the idea.

[Scott R]

Russ Abbott has a very different style than your tattoo. I think you might be better off looking for a more traditional tattooer with less stylized work. I really like Russ Abbott's tattoos but I don't think he would be right for this. I am not sure where you are located, but I am sure there are some guys who do eagles and snakes that could help you out.

david would reworking it be an option? i would think that could be made to look alot better. Reworked eagle and add a snake or just say fuck all and get a panther covering the bird

[David Flores]

david would reworking it be an option? i would think that could be made to look alot better. Reworked eagle and add a snake or just say fuck all and get a panther covering the bird

I think if you wanted to add a snake at the very least you have to add some more black shading in the eagle to try to make it look more like one tattoo. There is only so much you can do, as you can't really change the existing line work, but I think it could look a hell of a lot better than it does. I would say try to fix it up a bit and put super bold tattoos around it because he doesn't want to cover it. Covering it with a big crawling panther might work, but would be hard judge exactly how not seeing it in person. But I fear you would not be able to leave enough skin to not make it look like a black blob, but maybe a panther with some roses, make the arm more colorful.

[metalmancpa]

I think if you wanted to add a snake at the very least you have to add some more black shading in the eagle to try to make it look more like one tattoo. There is only so much you can do, as you can't really change the existing line work, but I think it could look a hell of a lot better than it does. I would say try to fix it up a bit and put super bold tattoos around it because he doesn't want to cover it. Covering it with a big crawling panther might work, but would be hard judge exactly how not seeing it in person. But I fear you would not be able to leave enough skin to not make it look like a black blob, but maybe a panther with some roses, make the arm more colorful.

Interesting. As I had stated before, doing a coverup/addition is something I'm not well versed in. Your opinions are very helpful in guiding to decide what I ultimately do.

[metalmancpa]

This is probably a stupid question, but when it comes to adding onto a tattoo (which I am still assuming is termed a coverup), should I be looking for an artist that is a known specialist in doing coverups as opposed to finding an artists that says they will but may be more of an original artist?

[David Flores]

This is probably a stupid question, but when it comes to adding onto a tattoo (which I am still assuming is termed a coverup), should I be looking for an artist that is a known specialist in doing coverups as opposed to finding an artists that says they will but may be more of an original artist?

I think if you find a artist whose style you like who is willing to do it you should go that route, this might be hard as it seems that the style of tattoos you seem to want vs what this tattoo is aren't really in the same realm. I don't know how I would feel about a person who says they specialize in coverups. Regardless of how well they can cover a tattoo, most tattooers I know would rather not be involved in a coverup, or have to rework other people's work. A good tattooer may not be excited about this project, but will give you an honest opinion on whether they can or would be willing to fix it and ultimately that is what matters.

[metalmancpa]

I think if you find a artist whose style you like who is willing to do it you should go that route, this might be hard as it seems that the style of tattoos you seem to want vs what this tattoo is aren't really in the same realm. I don't know how I would feel about a person who says they specialize in coverups. Regardless of how well they can cover a tattoo, most tattooers I know would rather not be involved in a coverup, or have to rework other people's work. A good tattooer may not be excited about this project, but will give you an honest opinion on whether they can or would be willing to fix it and ultimately that is what matters.

Thanks for the information. Russ Abbott emailed me back and said he would only do a new piece on me as he doesn't do covers or add-ons (he doesn't like doing them). Gunnar emailed me back tonight and said he'd be happy to add a cobra/snake to the eagle.

I really only planned on having two tattoos, so I'm not ready for a new one from Russ (never gave any thought to where, plus I have no new tattoo ideas). I have some faith that Gunnar's addition may not look like my original Gunnar piece. I think a good artist can do work that isn't within their stereotype (Gunnar and I talked about that). A lot of artists, as good as they are, get pigeon-holed into a style, yet they probably could do other styles just as well. But since they're "known" for a particular style, people continue to come and fill up his time slots with a particualr style (or least in the majority).

[David Flores]

@metalmancpa glad it looks like it's going to work out for you. I was never really worried about whether either of these guys could pull it off, in general it's just hard to find people willing to work off other peoples tattoos, especially people that stay pretty busy as it is.

My only prediction is your idea of stopping after this tattoo isn't going to happen.