Need advice on the results of my first tattoo!

[Flippa]

Hey guys,

So I went for my first tattoo about six months ago, and screwed up in letting the artist change my mind on what I wanted. It all happened so quickly! He is a well respected and hugely popular artist so I trusted him even though I wasn't really sold in the design. I wanted an american traditional storm cloud, but ended up with this. I quite like one side, but the other I'm really not into. Woops. And it looks like the lines on one of the lightning bolts was done too deep or something, because it's still very raised (first photo). You can see what I mean in the photos. What do you guys think happened here? Anyway what I want to know is if I could cover up the three grey clouds with solid black to blend it into the black sky underneath. Will this work as the lines are a little darker than the black shading? Will they be visible? Thinking ahout covering them up with one large cloud, and adding an eye in white ink. Something like this very shoddy painted one in the last photo... Do you guys think this would work? Also the blue in one of the lightning bolts seems to have scarred over time or something. It's got this brownish , wrinkled look developing? (Third photo). I just find that I like the tattoo on one side, the side in the second photo, but the rest looks messy and not like clouds to me. Going to eventually get a full storm themed sleeve, and they just don't fit with what I have in mind. Next time I'll be firmer with what I want...

[SStu]

That's pretty dark already for a coverup, and I don't think too many artists have any real experience with the whole "white over black" thing. Personally, I think it's fine enough - and if you're going to end up with a full sleeve of storm then it should blend in fairly well. 

[DJDeepFried]

I love that tattoo. Wouldn't change a thing. Maybe live with it for awhile?



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[Devious6]

Good advice here aready so I will just say, welcome!

[Hogrider]

I'd be really careful. You could end up with a big dark mess. It looks good now, I'd concentrate on the rest of your arm and leave that as-is.

[shootinlikejimmer]

It's not bad at all. If you don't like it after another year maybe go and see if someone can add more color and detail to it, and "bring it to life" so to speak.
It's amazing what little things can go for a tattoo


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[Gino_Spumoni]

So this is my first reply on this site, but I honestly think your piece looks great! 

I wouldn't say its american traditional however - definitely Japanese. But looks like your artist knew what he was doing. I dig the lightning bolts AND the clouds the way that they are.

Out of all my ink, my artist has made some last minute adjustments too that I "rolled with" and I'm glad I did. Mine were basically placement adjustments, but trust your artist if they have any sort of prestige to their name! 

[Flippa]

34 minutes ago, Gino_Spumoni said:

So this is my first reply on this site, but I honestly think your piece looks great! 

I wouldn't say its american traditional however - definitely Japanese. But looks like your artist knew what he was doing. I dig the lightning bolts AND the clouds the way that they are.

Out of all my ink, my artist has made some last minute adjustments too that I "rolled with" and I'm glad I did. Mine were basically placement adjustments, but trust your artist if they have any sort of prestige to their name! 

Thanks Gino! I think it looks japanese too which is what I think bugs me the most about it. He is a traditional tattoo artist, almost all of his work I've seen is american traditional. When I went in he asked me if what I was after was japanese, and I said no definately american traditional, and he said ok. I thought the sketch looked a little more japanese but assumed he knew what he was doing. I like the side in pic 2,3 and 4, but what I want to cover up is the 'swirly bits' because they do seem so japanese. Also very different to the other side which is more layered cloud shapes than swirls. I thought it may end up too dark if I covered so thanks for the advice guys, I'll sit with it. Maybe just fill in some of the white with more black on the swirls to give it a more traditional effect. Planning an umbrella with rain drops coming from under it to go above this, so if I go super traditional with that maybe it'll offset the japanese look. What do you guys think about the raised linework on pic 1? It's only on the corners where it zigs, and hard to tell in photo. But its very thick and raised in that spot even 6 months later, like it catches the light and everything. Is it scarring? Will that go down like the rest did eventually? Thanks guys.

[Gino_Spumoni]

Thanks Gino! I think it looks japanese too which is what I think bugs me the most about it. He is a traditional tattoo artist, almost all of his work I've seen is american traditional. When I went in he asked me if what I was after was japanese, and I said no definately american traditional, and he said ok. I thought the sketch looked a little more japanese but assumed he knew what he was doing. I like the side in pic 2,3 and 4, but what I want to cover up is the 'swirly bits' because they do seem so japanese. Also very different to the other side which is more layered cloud shapes than swirls. I thought it may end up too dark if I covered so thanks for the advice guys, I'll sit with it. Maybe just fill in some of the white with more black on the swirls to give it a more traditional effect. Planning an umbrella with rain drops coming from under it to go above this, so if I go super traditional with that maybe it'll offset the japanese look. What do you guys think about the raised linework on pic 1? It's only on the corners where it zigs, and hard to tell in photo. But its very thick and raised in that spot even 6 months later, like it catches the light and everything. Is it scarring? Will that go down like the rest did eventually? Thanks guys.

I get where you're coming from bro but it's definitely a beautiful piece. Let it be and learn from it. Umbrella sounds like a sweet addition! Sometimes tattoos raise off/on depending on weather conditions and if you irritate it. Aloe Vera can work wonders. Don't use scar creams because there's a chance it may fade your ink.


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[zetroc]

Live with it and don't touch a thing. If you want it to look cohesive later, keep going back to that artist.

[oboogie]

I like it.  Leave it.

[Rob I]

I think you are NUTS for not being in love with that tattoo. Super nice. And we are really picky here.