Newbie, looking for advice to make potential design more tattoo friendly

[Reggie Steele]

Hey guys,

I'm a 21 year-old from Birmingham, England, looking to get some work done. I'm quite in to illustration, so I've spent a lot of time refining a concept that I'd love to have somewhere on my back – a combination of a creature from the old video game, Super Metroid, and Giger's Alien. I realise it's got a hell of a lot of detail in its current state, but that's just my style of illustration, and one of the things I'd like to work with or around.

I've also spoken to a studio about having one of their artists rework this design to make it more tattoo friendly, but I wouldn't mind the advice of a couple of people with some ink know-how before making any commitment, and so I know what to potentially ask for.

This is what I've got so far:

Looking around, I worry about how well this thing would age – particularly the lines on the leg and thigh, which are pretty important for that Alien influence. I've messed around with the contrast on Photoshop in order to draw out the boldest lines and help with this. The Size would probably be somewhere in the region of 8 inches across – I'm open to working with that as well, though money is a factor.

Anyway, I'd be grateful to know what else I should be considering.

Cheers.

[SStu]

This will need to be fairly large to pull off the detail you're going to want, I think.

The real trick in pulling this off is to have the right artist (one already proficient working in this style) re-work the layout.

Who are you having look at it?

[misterJ]

Super metroid and giger? I am Supporting you 100%

[polliwog]

Here's a Giger-inspired piece from Chad Chesko, if this helps: Instagram

[Reggie Steele]

This will need to be fairly large to pull off the detail you're going to want, I think.

The real trick in pulling this off is to have the right artist (one already proficient working in this style) re-work the layout.

Who are you having look at it?

I've been talking to some of the guys at a local studio here (mostly the top four):

Tattoos — Modern Body Art

I really enjoy Matt Hunt's work, but I worry about the longevity of those thin lines. I also like Mark Gray's shading.

Birmingham's a big city, and that studio is pretty well rated, but I'm also willing to travel for an artist more suited to my specific style, and London is only about two hours away. Are there any tips you could give for finding someone? I realise you're not from the area (though I am likely going to be in Houston to visit my girlfriend later this year)

Here's a Giger-inspired piece from Chad Chesko, if this helps: Instagram

I really, really like that level of detail. I realise a strong outline is needed for a piece to age well, but something that puts me off about some designs is that overly stark contrast between outline and shading – it can give me a sort of paint-by-numbers vibe. Stuff like this: https://www.bigtattooplanet.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/220x220/4/node_gallery_image/85293/SkullCheff.jpg

The piece you linked has the perfect balance, though – would that be expected to age well?

[tatB]

i think you need to find an artist that has a lot of good biomech pieces in their portfolio.

[misterJ]

I am not trying to derail your idea, but if it's a back piece have you seen

The woodblock and giclee prints from the guy doing these?

This one linked is samus. I'm so in love with it.

https://www.ukiyoeheroes.com/products-page/woodblock/infestation-woodblock-print/

His stuff is unreal and I think would translate well into a serious tattoo. Just a thought to help your idea along.

Also browse his stuff, the final fantasy 6 one he did is probably my favorite.

[Nest]

I love really detailed and textured pieces done in dotwork, and i've heard good things about how dotwork lasts (something about there being less ink to spread) though I don't have evidence to back that up, it is something i've taken a chance on.

For example (by Dotwork Damian):

[Joe Shit]

These guys do that style.And you can always ask them who they would recommend for biomech in your area.

Instagram

Instagram

Instagram

[Nest]

These guys do that style.And you can always ask them who they would recommend for biomech in your area.

Instagram

Instagram

Instagram

Gerry Carnelly does very nice work, and easy enough to travel to from birmingham.

I don't know of anyone in birmingham specialising in biomech. MBA is a great studio though.

[Reggie Steele]

Gerry Carnelly does very nice work, and easy enough to travel to from birmingham.

I don't know of anyone in birmingham specialising in biomech. MBA is a great studio though.

No kidding – I lived 10 minutes from this studio for a year and never bothered to look in. Might have to get in contact with the guy.

Gotta say I'm loving the help on this forum so far. Cheers, everyone.

[Nest]

Oh and if you like that picture I posted, Dotwork Damian is based in Brighton, at the Blue Dragon, and I can tell you he's a really great guy and his work heals beautifully. I have some very detailed work by him myself.

[Joe Shit]

@Reggie Steele found this biomech site @ Instagram

And this guy works in London & does real nice bio mechanical work...

Instagram

[SStu]

Tattoos — Modern Body Art

I really enjoy Matt Hunt's work, but I worry about the longevity of those thin lines. I also like Mark Gray's shading.

They've got some talent, but I don't know if any of them is up to a perfect recreation/design in line with your specific idea. Personally I like more black (including outlines) in my favorite tattoos.

[Joe Shit]

A better bio site@ Instagram

This dude works in Houston... Instagram

Instagram does nice bio.

[Reggie Steele]

Hey guys, sorry to necro an old thread, but I thought you might all be interested to see that I got my design completed today.

I'm more than happy with the result, and must give props to @Joe Shit and @Nest for recommending Gerry Carnelly at Octopus Tattoo in Derby. Speaking of which, here's a picture of the result from his instagram:

[misterJ]

Congrats and here's to hoping for a new metroid game !!

Your drawing translated very well and that blue green is real nice

[SeeSea]

Cool - thanks for following up with the final design and tattoo. It's always great to see the progression from idea to implementation, rather than wondering how things ended up. It's got a neat vibe.

[tatB]

Congrats that is a cool tattoo. Any plans for more?

[Reggie Steele]

Congrats that is a cool tattoo. Any plans for more?

Cheers dude. I've got a couple of ideas for simple ones, but will be leaving any big projects like this until I fall in love with a design again. Got plenty of time for that, the way I see it.

[sighthound]

Very very nice. No worries on resurrecting an old thread, in fact I think it is encouraged especially when it is to update everyone on the progression of your idea.

Awesome tattoo, very clean. And I love the green glow effect it gives off.

[DJDeepFried]

Not my thing but that's a killer tattoo. Another LST success story!

[SeeSea]

Not my thing but that's a killer tattoo. Another LST success story!

"LST Success Stories" - we should make a new thread. A sticky, actually, with pointers to stuff like this.

[Reggie Steele]

"LST Success Stories" - we should make a new thread. A sticky, actually, with pointers to stuff like this.

That's a pretty great idea – a nice pointer for people looking to get stuff, as well as a shout out to the artists. Gerry was pretty chuffed knowing that I heard about him through online recommendation, rather than the coincidental fact that he was basically next door to me.