Keeping the excitement on very long tattoo

[Pahtcub1]

Anyone have any tips for remaining excited and positive about tattoos that take a long time?  I’m getting a full neck to knee and I feel like I’m getting burnt out. Over a year and 130+ hours in. Help

[Colored Guy]

130 hours is a lot of time. My back piece may top out at 15 to 20 hours and take up to 3 months to finish. I'm taking longer breaks than I usually do with this one. My advice, try to have the artist finish up areas the you can easily see so you get some visual gratification out of it.

[Pahtcub1]

I can see the progress but it’s on my back so don’t see it every day. 

[aant]

15 hours ago, Pahtcub1 said:

I can see the progress but it’s on my back so don’t see it every day. 

Killer tattoo! Sorry I don’t have any advice - never even started a project that large.

[scottyg]

holy christ that's a wonderfully bizarre piece you've got there.

who's doing it?

130+ hours??? whoa.

[piccalilli]

@scottyg hit the proverbial nail - "wonderfully bizarre" is a great description. Quite a piece (in a good way).  I cannot even fathom 130 hours ... although my only tattoo had taken about 35 - come to think of it, maybe it isn't that much so hang in there! You have a tremendous amount of work put in it and the results are spectacular. I would think that 130 hours in you are quite a bit closer to the finish line.

If nothing else, you can look forward to showing it off to us here when done

Edited December 10, 2017 by piccalilli

[Gingerninja]

Looks amazing....keep up the commitment. It must seem like "work" at this point but wow, just think what you have accomplished so far and what the ultimate outcome will be. You got this.

[SStu]

Just keep reviewing that photo! Wonderfully surrealistic work there. 

Again = who is doing that, and how much longer is expected?

[Pahtcub1]

Jesse Smith is doing it and I’m hoping no more than 40 more but no definite answer. 

[sauraman37]

Not sure if it helps with the being burned out part, but holy shit thats insane. Love the colors and the details!

[TattooedMumma]

I got nothing apart from, that is cool as f**k!!

[rdinak]

WOW. That's impressive commitment and work.

[Hands On]

good lordy... he is going OFF!! just completely tweaking out on the details. i hadn't seen his IG before today, but he's done some AMAZING pieces and yours right up there among his best work.

maybe to keep up the excitement, you can just walk around shirtless all day and harness the excitement of tattoo lovers ogling over your back. 

[Hogrider]

Nothing you can do but hang in there. My current piece just had my 15th session with two or three more to go, so I feel your pain. I don't think I've ever had a piece done in less than a year, but I've had two sleeves with chest panels, my back, and this new piece from my ankle on up, connecting to the chest panel and back.

People ask how many tattoos I have, I just say one. 

[thrasherdog]

Thats insane. The amazement in people responses should motivate you to finish!

[Colored Guy]

Long tattoos you have to keep your eye on the prize. My back finishes up in about 10 days, the 4th or 5th session. That was started back in September and like I said earlier, I give it more time to heal.

[RespTattooPhilly]

I thought 60 hours on my torso as a lot but geez.