a few questions about my first tattoo that I'm about to get

[Karu ON See]

Hey there,

For about 10 years, I've fantasized about getting a tattoo. Now I finally got the funds and time to do it.

The problem here is that I think that my tattoo idea ain't all that good. I've wanted to get something inspired by renaissance era engravings.

A example:

http://uploads7.wikipaintings.org/images/albrecht-durer/saint-eustace.jpg

But the more I've read this forum and other publications about tattoos, I've come to understand that very detailed tattoos might go blurry faster (when compared to bold tattoos with less detail). I accept that tattoos age as we all do & dont mind "re-tattooing" a older tattoo at some point to make it look new better again.

So my question here is...

As I'm looking to get a black and white tattoo.

Position upper arm

Theme hopefully bear or wolf/raven...

The long-term plan is that if the first tattoo will be awesome, I'd complete one full sleeve arm, then perhaps another and a few more tattoos herenthere.

Which sort of tattoo technique would you recommend that would last best as it ages? Also could you point me to some upper arm tattoos that I could use to get inspiration from?

I'll have the tattoo done in one of three professional tattoo salongs.

Thanks a bunch!

[reverend1]

I think these are all questions that your artist could help you with. Just get some good reference material and find a good artist in the style you think you want. Then ask them. They can give you a much better idea than we can since they can evaluate your skin type and all the other things that go into making a good tattoo.

[Kahlan]

For choosing a style... I usually think what kind of message I'm trying to unite with my piece. So the style of art will match the meaning of my tattoo as well. I wouldn't worry too much about details fading. I find that so personal since everyone's skin is different.

My artist was surprised mine still looks like I just got it done.

I'm a big fan of realism. Especially if you're getting a beautiful animal like a wolf or bear. I find the ones that look like illustrations (or a painting) are absolutely amazing if you don't want TOO much detail.

[CultExciter]

You can get a detailed tattoo that holds up. But conversing with the tattooer is best. Where are you located and I do believe LST can give inside to the best places to go.

[Tim Burke]

People like Liam Sparkes, Maxime and Duncan X all do work in an engraving style that holds up well.

[Karu ON See]

Thank you for the replies. I've thought about it myself, but for now, thought that it would be best to seek a bit advice from people with tattoos and who tattoo themselves (this community).

I respect the craft and people who make tattoos, however as I'm a complete newcomer to the whole tattoo concept (I dont know anyone who has tattoos). In other words I am a bit afraid that once I go to the tattoo parlor, the tattoo artist might use my lack of knowledge about the subject and just say "yes yes yes, it will be awesome, it can be done, it will stay like this for 60 years :)"

Perhaps I'm being overcautious here, but I would like for this to be one of those good experiences in life and I'm doing what can be done to educate myself a bit more. So if anyone can answer some of the questions asked in the first post, please do so :)

As for my location, I live in Estonia. That will probably limit different tattoo artists I can choose from.

After doing some research, I've found the following Estonian tattoo parlors. Can you suggest which of the artists seems the best for you? Or perhaps you can suggest another artist in Estonia?

Rudolf Tattoo Gallery

http://www.tartu-tattoo.ee/a/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=54

http://www.tartoo-tattoo.ee/galerii.php?list=2 (different artist)

http://www.tartoo-tattoo.ee/galerii.php?list=3 (different artist)

Again, thank you :)

[Kahlan]

It's also hard to direct people towards styles & advice considering there's so much out there... like I mentioned earlier it's really personal...

As for tattoo artists taking advantage of your ignorance. Nothing is stopping you from going to just talk to them...Don't ever let anyone push you into leaving a deposit or anything if you don't feel comfortable. Don't just go to one shop, take a visit to a few...

Many people including myself used to just chill out, looking at portfolios in studios.

Take your time, and have fun with it.

[kylegrey]

Hey there,

For about 10 years, I've fantasized about getting a tattoo. Now I finally got the funds and time to do it.

As you've already shown restraint why don't you take some time to look at more tattoos on this site to get a better idea of how awesome tattoos can be and the great artists that are out there . Like you said you want the first tattoo to be awesome and if so you will proceed from there , to ensure you live up to your getting tattooed potential and don't feel disappointed I personally wouldn't get tattooed at any of the shops you suggested . You are in a perfect position as you have the " time and finances " so you could consider a trip to neighbouring Russia or even one of the conventions/shops in Europe . I'll leave you a link to one of the prominent Russian artists to check out

ÐвторÑкий Ñайт маÑтера татуировки Дена Яковлева

[Joe Shit]

https://www.facebook.com/BackboneTattoo

https://www.facebook.com/totemastattoo

Eddy Tattoo Studio

[else]

Or Finland!! All of Scandinavia is at your doorstep! From Estonia, with not too much travel, you have SO MANY options!

[Mark Bee]

Many people including myself used to just chill out, looking at portfolios in studios.

Take your time, and have fun with it.

This! I spend a fair bit of time leafing through books and portfolios in the shop I frequent. I try to make sure I'm not in the way, or distracting people from their work, but as long as I am respectful, they don't seem to mind. Usually I can park myself in the corner and read and jot down ideas without being disruptive. Poke around, look through the gallery here, join instagram and spend a few hours (days? weeks?) looking through the staggering number of pics online. Often artists post a lot of their work on their facebook pages - another good place to look around and see what sort of tattoos people are getting/ giving. Have fun!

[Karu ON See]

Thank you for the feedback.

I thought about getting the tattoo abroad myself, but sadly I do not have the finances for that at the moment. I figured that I'd spend up to 400 euros (~500 dollars) on the first tattoo, as it's not that big, was hoping that it would cover the cost. Sadly anything beyond that, is out of my financial budget.

kylegrey you mentioned that you personally would not get tattoos in any of the parlors I linked. Fair enough. May I ask why? Is their technique "bad" or something else?

Taking a trip to Russia is a bigger problem for me, as I dont speak almost any Russian :P So in this case, if the final conclusion is that the Estonian tattoo artists are not up for the job, I'll have to save up some more money and get a tattoo in Finland, Sweden or Latvia. Latvia would be the easiest to do.

Btw thank you for the tip about "chilling" in the tattoo shop. Somehow I got the wrong impression, to me it seemed that tattoo artists arent too keen to see people who just chill and look at designs and ask stupid questions (for them). My bad there :)

Ooh... you found a Estonian tattoo artist who does quality work? :D

https://www.facebook.com/BackboneTattoo

Thanks!

1. Rudolf Tattoo Gallery

2. http://www.tartu-tattoo.ee/a/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=54

3. http://www.tartoo-tattoo.ee/galerii.php?list=2 (different artist)

4. http://www.tartoo-tattoo.ee/galerii.php?list=3 (different artist)

5. https://www.facebook.com/BackboneTattoo

So when talking about the Estonian artists, can someone please point out which one does the best work in your opinion?

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you for the feedback.

I thought about getting the tattoo abroad myself, but sadly I do not have the finances for that at the moment. I figured that I'd spend up to 400 euros (~500 dollars) on the first tattoo, as it's not that big, was hoping that it would cover the cost. Sadly anything beyond that, is out of my financial budget.

kylegrey you mentioned that you personally would not get tattoos in any of the parlors I linked. Fair enough. May I ask why? Is their technique "bad" or something else?

Taking a trip to Russia is a bigger problem for me, as I dont speak almost any Russian :P So in this case, if the final conclusion is that the Estonian tattoo artists are not up for the job, I'll have to save up some more money and get a tattoo in Finland, Sweden or Latvia. Latvia would be the easiest to do.

Btw thank you for the tip about "chilling" in the tattoo shop. Somehow I got the wrong impression, to me it seemed that tattoo artists arent too keen to see people who just chill and look at designs and ask stupid questions (for them). My bad there :)

Ooh... you found a Estonian tattoo artist who does quality work? :D

https://www.facebook.com/BackboneTattoo

Thanks!

1. http://www.rudolftattoo.com/galleryz.php

2. http://www.tartu-tattoo.ee/a/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=54

3. http://www.tartoo-tattoo.ee/galerii.php?list=2 (different artist)

4. http://www.tartoo-tattoo.ee/galerii.php?list=3 (different artist)

5. https://www.facebook.com/BackboneTattoo

So when talking about the Estonian artists, can someone please point out which one does the best work in your opinion?

[reverend1]

@Karu ON See Of the links posted I like the stuff on Backbones site the most. I didnt care for anything on the other two sites.

[Joe Shit]

The artist who did this tattoo.I believe the name is Rainer Pleer.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=391765247586965&set=pb.248159795280845.-2207520000.1362010223&type=3&theater

[SStu]

After doing some research, I've found the following Estonian tattoo parlors. Can you suggest which of the artists seems the best for you?

I'd keep looking . . .

[Graeme]

If you can afford a tattoo, you can afford to wait and save more money to travel to get tattooed.

[beez]

If you can afford a tattoo, you can afford to wait and save more money to travel to get tattooed.

This is largely how I feel about tattoos at all times! hahaha ;)

[Joe Shit]

This dude in Latvia does good work.

Maris Pavlo / Tattoo artist - Tattoo - Collective Art & Tattoo Studio

[Karu ON See]

beez glad you got that off your chest.

and to beez and other replies, thanks :) much appreciated.

Those Maris Pavlo tattoos seem insane.

ps.

How can a newcomer (like me) to the tattoo scene tell a good black and gray from a medicore or a bad one? Well when it's bad... it's bad and I've noticed that some tattoos are really bad.

[SStu]

How can a newcomer (like me) to the tattoo scene tell a good black and gray from a medicore or a bad one?

Just like anything else in life . . . spend some time and effort educating yourself to the history, the process and comparason of end results. Appreciation of art is an informed enjoyment.