G'day from Down Under

[Pup94]

Hey Guys

Thanks for having me here.

My name is Michael, nickname clearly is Pup. I live in Sydney, am 19 years old and am a qualified Horticulturalist having just finished my 4 year course. I am right into my sports, they are basically all I do. Love my golf and clay target shooting most of all. I have just the one tattoo currently, a large "fire dragon" on my right ribs. I'm planning on getting my water dragon on my opposite site done shortly, however I've come on here to seek further advice and hopefully add something to the community. I'm thinking of getting a full back piece and am already brainstorming through my ideas having spoken in depth about it to my artist today. I have a pretty solid idea of what I want. Would you guys have any advice in general when it comes to getting a full back piece done, maybe considering my age too?

[Zillah]

No advice from me, just saying hi from down under down under :p

[gougetheeyes]

Welcome dude, sounds like you're on a roll!

[MadeIndelible]

Who's doing your tattoos? Also, I'd say trust your tattooer as long as he is good at what he does.

[Pup94]

No advice from me, just saying hi from down under down under :p

Thanks Stacey! Where in NZ you from?

Welcome dude, sounds like you're on a roll!

Haha :)

Who's doing your tattoos? Also, I'd say trust your tattooer as long as he is good at what he does.

Myles I'm getting my work done by Shaun Bones at Bondi Ink. All around good guy. I do trust him with my tattoos. You got to have a bit of faith! :)

This back piece is going to be a collaboration of our ideas. I can run you guys through what I'm thinking if interested? Being quoted 30-35 hours for this piece makes it seem quite intimidating though!

[MadeIndelible]

@Pup94 I hate to say this, but I wouldn't get tattooed by that guy. Not trying to be a dick; I'm just trying to save you from tattoo regret down the line. I'm not sure about Sydney, but Geordie Cole in Fitzroy does some killer Japanese tattoos. I suggest reading the What Makes a Good Tattoo Thread in the General Tattoo Discussion section, and you'll see why.

[Zillah]

Thanks Stacey! Where in NZ you from?

Dorkland (Auckland)

[motsimus]

HI Michael and welcome to LST, Unfortunately I have to agree with @MadeIndelible on this one and I don't think you should continue getting tattooed there, I did however do a pretty extensive search on tattooers and shops in the Sydney area and here are some good ones i found/know of.

Hunter and Fox Tattoo - W.T. Norbert

hunter and fox is one of the best shops in Sydney in my opinion and I would probably start here.

Artists

another nice shop I like Caleb's stuff the most.

Japanese | Traditional Japanese Tattooing by Sydney Tattoo Artist – HORISUMI – Kian Forreal | Sydney Tattoo Shops & Sydney Tattoo Studios Australia

kian forreal(horisumi) has been tattooing for 20 years and does real nice japanese stuff.

M DAVID MEZOGHLIAN

this ones a more traditional style tattoo shop with all good tattooers.

The tattooers below all work at Lighthouse tattoo in Botany, their website is currently down so I've linked the personal websites instead.

Alex Rusty Tattoos - Tattoo Galleries

benogradytattoo

ryanusshertattoo

Mark Nara, theMarkofNara

I just want to say please don't be scared off because I'm telling you to go somewhere else to get tattooed ,this forum is here to help people get good tattoos and thats what I and I'm sure most others here want for you.

[Dumpleton]

HI Michael and welcome to LST, Unfortunately I have to agree with @MadeIndelible on this one and I don't think you should continue getting tattooed there, I did however do a pretty extensive search on tattooers and shops in the Sydney area and here are some good ones i found/know of.

Yep I agree,

My buddy has his chest done by Norbert and his arm is half way through with Alex Rusty Cairns and both are awesome, personally would get a tattoo from Kian Forreal if I wanted to go Japanese, Had a chat with him at the Sydney tattoo expo and he was such a nice guy.

[Orangutango]

I agree with the general 'explore other artists' advice so far. That shop seems a little suss, advertising for an artist to feature in a reality show. Seems a bit backwards to me.

I personally wouldn't get my back done at 19, time machine allowing, but given the arbitrary nature of 'age' compared to maturity, I can't say whether you should or not.

[Pup94]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, appreciate the honest advice. I got to say I'm happy with my first piece done but it can't hurt to look around further.

I want to get a black/grey tattoo but have sort of struggled with ideas, however I had this come to me a few weeks ago so am rolling with that in the meantime.

This is what I've come up so far with my full back piece:

A dark graveyard scene.

Grim reaper carrying a body to its tomb (left side of piece).

A Phoenix (brightly coloured) flying away from the tomb.

Large dead tree on the right side of the piece.

It would be totally a black/grey piece, except for the Phoenix of course. I need more ideas to fill up the middle of the piece, I'm sure it'll come to me. :)

[SeeSea]

I have to agree to look elsewhere. You also have to consider ... has this guy ever done anything larger than what is featured on the website? Someone might be great at smaller tattoos but not have the creativity or artistry to design and execute a big one.

$0.02

[Pup94]

I'm going to go check out Kaleidoscope this weekend. :)

[nomadland]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, appreciate the honest advice. I got to say I'm happy with my first piece done but it can't hurt to look around further.

I want to get a black/grey tattoo but have sort of struggled with ideas, however I had this come to me a few weeks ago so am rolling with that in the meantime.

This is what I've come up so far with my full back piece:

A dark graveyard scene.

Grim reaper carrying a body to its tomb (left side of piece).

A Phoenix (brightly coloured) flying away from the tomb.

Large dead tree on the right side of the piece.

It would be totally a black/grey piece, except for the Phoenix of course. I need more ideas to fill up the middle of the piece, I'm sure it'll come to me. :)

Hey mate,

I'm also from sydney...

Have close to 200 hours of work on my body with a large proportion of that on my back..

Word of advice do your back last..

Biggest spot for the best tattoo...when your 19 u won't have the money/time/experience to do it justice..

None of my work is Japanese but have travelled extensively through japan as well as the states...trust me Japanese work in OZ is well below world class.if you can't afford Japan go to the states..mike rubendall in New York is a good place to start

http://www.kingsavenuetattoo.com/artists/mike-rubendall/

If you really want the best wait for horiyoshi 3 and start saving...

Cheers

[Orangutango]

Don't know much about Sydney but Melbourne has at least three dudes that I would consider "world class" in Japanese style @nomadland. Trevor McStay, Geordie Cole and Adam Kitamoto are all top shelf.

Did you make it to that other shop @Pup94 ?

[nomadland]

Don't know much about Sydney but Melbourne has at least three dudes that I would consider "world class" in Japanese style @nomadland. Trevor McStay, Geordie Cole and Adam Kitamoto are all top shelf.

Did you make it to that other shop @Pup94 ?

Trevor McStay is certainly the best Japanese tattooer in OZ...choosing him wouldn't be a mistake..of course it's subjective but I wouldn't put him anywhere near my top 10 artists worldwide in that style...

Not that this thread seems about that though...I just love the process of trying to get work by the best and therefore do not settle for anything less...also feel that before you get 50 + hours of Japanese work you should pay it some respect but trying to understand it...

[Pup94]

Oztattoo

Thanks for chiming in. I'm not looking for the Japanese styled tattoos. I think the idea I've got right now is a killer for the back. Why do you say I won't be able to do it justice? Time and money isn't an issue, but what am I missing out on on the experience part (what does that mean anyway)?

Orangutango

I've booked in a consultation with Jin O for April 25. She specialises in realist work and I like the look of her portfolio. If any of you guys want to check out her bio I'd appreciate the feedback.

- - - Updated - - -

Many people told me not to get my first tattoo on my ribs, especially so large. Why would I get anything else though? If I want a back piece shouldn't I just go for it rather than "copping out" with another design somewhere else?

[nomadland]

Oztattoo

Thanks for chiming in. I'm not looking for the Japanese styled tattoos. I think the idea I've got right now is a killer for the back. Why do you say I won't be able to do it justice? Time and money isn't an issue, but what am I missing out on on the experience part (what does that mean anyway)?

Orangutango

I've booked in a consultation with Jin O for April 25. She specialises in realist work and I like the look of her portfolio. If any of you guys want to check out her bio I'd appreciate the feedback.

- - - Updated - - -

Many people told me not to get my first tattoo on my ribs, especially so large. Why would I get anything else though? If I want a back piece shouldn't I just go for it rather than "copping out" with another design somewhere else?

The experience part was referring to whether or not in 10 yrs you will still like the style you gave chosen..your back is your biggest piece of tattoo territory..dnt use it until your ideas are set...

And sorry mate I might respect your taste slightly more if you didn't suggest the artist/shop that you have..

Clearly time and money seem to be an issue if your going there