Squidpants/Leg Mania; or, where we're at with our leg tattoos.

[bongsau]

Here is a quick pick of the back of my knees...thank god, never again. Hey unless I can get my hands on that removal cream, then let's party all over again...

TheGangOfOne rolled in the blackness on the left 5 days ago, it is just continuation of my backpiece. So my whole L backthigh (and buttocks) is all black water waves and rocks.

The R side was put in back in 2011 by OllieXXX, the green water connects a sperm whale on the thigh to an octopus on the leg.

That lizard on the side needs a touch up yikes

That red-yellow rising sun was my bright (?) idea to fill in my lower leg. It kind of looks silly but folks always seem to point it out, and the red and yellow have held really well for 10 years so whatever. I'm almost tempted to black over and continue the black/grey water waves down.

The scrappy looking black tattoos on my calves are a palm tree (Island Records) and a Bad Brains bolt that I got in 2003 from this skinhead pal. THe plan all along has been to keep them open and completely fill around.

- - - Updated - - -

Knee tattoos are painful to get, but manageable if you have a tattooer who can work quickly and efficiently, as the knee will balloon up and once that happens the pain will intensify. The healing I find more difficult and painful than the tattoo, either when moving or at rest. Especially that friggin lizard, he took longer to heal than anything else. Hard to bend the leg when the skin is raw and tight afterwards for a few days so you will have the zombie limp. Don't let that deter you! I went jumping and kung fu kicking 2 days after a knee session, that was dumb but my leg still works and the tattoo is still there. You won't die haha. Within a couple days that swelling and bruising go away, you regain some mobility and it's business as usual, just with more colour to accentuate yourself :) the mortality rate is very low! good luck, you can do it!

Also, be aware that knees take a lot of abuse over the years. I've banged up my knee a couple times since I got one tattooed. Took a big chunk out the centre and one off the side. So you have to be prepared for that happen. Just part of living life.

- - - Updated - - -

i found this pic of my "squid pants" from a few years ago on my computer last nite, enjoy...a colourful dude and his ugly dog. Turtle is 10 years old, from Miles Kanne. Hard to believe the blue is still blue. They do look better as they age :)

[xcom]

Got this tribal on my calf when I was 19yrs old.

@Scorpion Studios by Brett Osborne.

[polliwog]

It's really hard to take a picture of your own legs (especially when you're apparently too stupid to remember to set the camera on a timer). A year ago I had no leg tattoos and no plans to get any, so it feels like they're filling up fast - though of course I have tons of room left.

[9Years]

I like this thread.

Right leg: what, who, where

Lady head - Herb Auerbach, California Electric

Boar/party-pig - Bryan Randolph, Spider Murphy's

Flower thingy - Capilli Tupou, Sacred Electric

Weirdo-anthropomorphic-walking-compass-bro-tat-guy (can't really see it): Job de Quay, Salon Serpent

Bottom of the well: Theo Mindell

Left Leg:

Start of something killer: Tim Lehi, Blackheart

Insanity: El Monga, Spider Murphys/Tattoo city (guesting)

Edited February 23, 2015 by 9Years
I sucks at the technicals

[hogg]

@Mark Bee, you have a great thing going on.

[Phillip]

@idyllsend I've never seen such a great design on a knee, very nice.

All of this work is really inspiring.

[Manu Manu]

Thanks I appreciate that very informative response. I've really been wanting to get one of my knees done lately, but I'm just worried it might not be feasible with my work/schedule...

Bit of a catch 22, work seems to be picking back up as we get out of winter, so have the spare cash to get my knee done, but it might make my job really suck for a while.

I have my left knee done 2 weeks ago, a few days after I was already ok for walking.

And because of my work I always plan some holydays for the healing and to be operational!

[SStu]

reactivating this thread with my Thomas Hooper piece:

[sourpussoctopus]

JUAT. Insane.

[kelzu]

reactivating this thread with my Thomas Hooper piece:

Ya! ️

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[xcom]

My collection by Jon West:

[The Tig]

My collection by Jon West:

You and SStu... Damn, you two inspire me (and my legs)!

[9Years]

Finished up this thigh piece about 2months ago. Healed shot lifted from Tim Lehi's Instagram.

If you go back in the thread you can see the beginnings/line work. That leg is really coming together...only problem is now I've got this pesky knee-gap.

[Graeme]

You and SStu... Damn, you two inspire me (and my legs)!

I don't know, to me the two pictures side by side emphasizes how huge of a gap there is between Hooper and a handful of other tattooers who pioneered that kind of tattooing and the generic expression of it that has come since.

[smulmaskinen]

My right leg is starting to look like something, with two semi-big tattoos by Rudy Fritsch and Iain Mullen. Now let's pray to the internet gods

I will manage to post the two pictures I want this time...

edit: the juzu around my ankle by Bunshin Horimatsu too! #tebori

[xcom]

I don't know, to me the two pictures side by side emphasizes how huge of a gap there is between Hooper and a handful of other tattooers who pioneered that kind of tattooing and the generic expression of it that has come since.

There is no question about who Hooper is and his level of talent, But why you have to diminish a positive comment tors my tattoo?

[Graeme]

There is no question about who Hooper is and his level of talent, But why you have to diminish a positive comment tors my tattoo?

I made the comment because I don't like you, but you're right and it was uncalled for and I apologize for it.

[Mark Bee]

I see that Franz at the Okey Doke in Toronto is no longer doing walk-ins, making it more difficult to get back to the legs, but I may have to look further abroad.

[NBMgreg]

just got this handsome dude from Phil Tworavens (@lustandconsume on instagram) to kick off the leg stuff

[GlaryMilberg]

Man @smulmaskinen you've got it going on. Both rad pieces!

[xcom]

My latest addition to my leg sleeve (on the works).

By Jon West @ Imperial Tattoo Company.

Knee is next with a sacred heart and than to tie it all together.

[The Tig]

Photo bomb by Ziggy dog.

One day old:

[tay943]

My right leg is starting to look like something, with two semi-big tattoos by Rudy Fritsch and Iain Mullen. Now let's pray to the internet gods

I will manage to post the two pictures I want this time...

edit: the juzu around my ankle by Bunshin Horimatsu too! #tebori

I love your peonies, might have to add some to my collection soon. Hope my legs can look that nice when they're done!

[suburbanxcore]

Once my thigh heals up I should probably update my progress in this thread.

Edit: I saw someone else describe a "pesky knee gap." That term seems very fitting right now. I've got a few ideas for my knees, but I'm sort of struggling a bit.

[smulmaskinen]

Thank you, warming words in the dark and cold winter here in Stockholm! I'm tattooing my right foot on saturday, I'll make sure to post an update asap.