Please help me better understand tattoo needles

[rdinak]

I understand that the difference between line work and shading. My skin can feel the difference. While in for my last session, my artist and the shop owner got into a complex discussion on the choice of needles when working on large areas. It went a little over my head. I am trying to read and learn as much as possible. My artist mentioned he had never gone over 13 needles for shading on my current piece. Shop owner was talking about using a “34” when working in large areas. Please share what you know about choices of needle set ups for shading work. Thanks and Merry Christmas. 

[Synesthesia]

That's between artists. Some things non-tattooers don't need to know, we just trust and respect the artist and the craft. We don't talk about trade secrets on this forum for that reason. 

[JAC1961]

I agree completely with @Synesthesia, knowing too much of the process kind of ruins some of the "magic" for me.  As long as they know what's going on, I'm happy.

I used to collect art glass and felt the same way about that.  I went out of my way to not learn too much about the how-to.  Some collectors insisted on learning each and every secret.  While the artists liked talking about what they did, they seemed pained when non-artists dug too deeply or pushed too hard about every little detail.

[yamy]

maybe you can ask your artist and will get the details