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Well that was a brutal last session but damn the result is worth it:

All right. For those who've seen it all ready, for those who've been waiting, for those who don't know what the fuck I talking about, for those who don't care: here is my back now. Finished this Saturday at the annual Scottish tattoo convention in Edinburgh. Iain Mullen and Rudy Fritsch converged for the first time since we did the lines in June, to do some two machine shading on the lower part and add some extra detail. One more touch up session with Iain in Stockholm and then this experience is over. It's been a great ride on so many levels and if I were to explain how happy I am about the result I would have to invent some new words. Both Iain and Rudy rules and everybody who has the chance to get the chance should really consider getting something from them. I will post a longer write up on this thread full-back-piece-experience-thread.html shortly, perhaps tomorrow. Right now I have a bad fever to pull through. One good thing about getting tattooed is that, if you do it right, it teaches you how tough you really are. Peace!

Greeting, I am currently living in Bangkok, Thailand and have been yearning for a tattoo for years. My journey began when all I wanted was a tree on my back - the next phase was what design - hence the years its taken to decide. A friend of mine sent me a picture of a tree and the process of umming and ahhhing over the butterflies and flowers went on for ages. The day and moment of action stations came when I was sitting on the beach along the coast of Thailand. Everything is very chilled here but I was quite shocked to witness a man getting some brush ups done on his tattoo - right on the beach! Gulp! That can't be very hygienic but I inquired if they had a shop and went to check out the scene there. They looked experienced and everything looked hygienic and a well run business. I duly turned up for the creation of my work of art - after the first hour I kindly informed the tattooist that if he didn't step back I was going to punch him. Im not a person of violence but in that moment the pain was so unbearable that I didn't trust myself - lol! Shame, in the tattooist's defense he was a little Thai man and realised that this almost 6 foot Farang meant business. The outcome of the tattoo after 2 sittings wasn't what I wanted - there was no shading but I blame myself there - he was genuinely scared of hurting me. I returned back to Bangkok and got hold of the 'big guns' who had been referred by numerous tattoo lovers. Ten hours later, 2 sittings, pain killers and numbing cream changed my life. The numbing cream worked wonders and I left feeling empowered and proud of the art on my back. In the past, before wanting a tattoo, I used to look down on tattoos but through this journey I have realised that it is something that is cherished, shown off and special to each individual - it sets us visually apart from anyone in the world!

Here is my latest work on my back:

This is great advice. I'm taking this challenge on thanks to your post. Hopefully it will help my beginner ass.

Just my observation, but it looks like you are still learning how to draw and paint. Which is fine! But I think in order to properly execute these designs, you should study more and work on your technique. The best way to go about that is to trace and re-paint 100 sheets of flash. Don't take any artistic liberties, copy them exactly as they are so that you can gain insight into the craft and process of those who have a good handle on what they're doing. You will be amazed at what you learn! Start with the basics and the old masters, and work your way forward. Not only will you learn a ton, but you'll have an awesome volume of work to show people.

haven't been here for a while here's some recent stuff (sorry this post is probably gonna be long...) i got really into painting thorns and puddles i guess

Hi everyone, My name is Ryan, I'm a 19 year old tattoo apprentice from Dublin Ireland. My favourite styles of tattooing at the minute are American Traditional and Neo-Traditional My favourite tattooers are Valerie Vargas, Andrea Giulimondi, Xam, Dani Quiepo, Stewart Robson, Jean LeRoux, Todd Noble and Steve Byrne The first (and only) Tattoo Con I've been too was Brighton Tattoo Convention 2015 where I was tattooed by Valerie Vargas :D Anyways, right now I'm doing a lot of drawing and painting and I'm currently looking to build my book and flash collection so if anyone is looking to trade some paintings, I'll be putting my head down and getting some good stuff soon :) I'm going to leave it here, Thanks, Ryan

i've been on both sides of the this - from the 'almost' no peel to the "will it ever heal?" part of the process though - - - Updated - - - xcom - you getting help on the back care or DIY i'm going onto my back soon and would prefer DIY but wondering if its just easier to have help from the mrs.

legs are are a tough heal imo

Glad to hear that! A shining example of someone who has done this and progressed miles is our own @Dumpleton. There is a lot of his work posted up in the How About an Art Show? thread, if you go through the thread you can see how far he's come, it's really impressive. You will have a lot of fun with this I think!

The last major piece for my right sleeve! Now I need to address the negative space - or not... Original artwork by Biz Matos, Columbus.:cool:

- - - Updated - - - Xed Lehead dot work

Actually, in the Navy it means your belly done lopped over your belt. Soooo goooood, Swifty!

Swifty I am in awe!

Tattooing 5 years and you own a shop? :(

@BrianH, I feel that Lance pretty much nailed it. Although first I usually ask, "How comfortable are you with male nudity." It usually gets chuckle from the person, and it also makes me laugh because people think I'm just joking around. - - - Updated - - - I do the smart phone thing too sometimes. Usually I get a "NO way!" and I end up taking off my shirt anyhow.

Duuuude. That's crazy lookin!

Nothing wrong with a back piece that you can see from the next block :)

There's mine completed in 2007ish. I now wish it were more detailed but at the time I wanted the biggest back piece with the least amount of time and effort and money. So it goes.

Sure man.

@BrianH if they are heavily tattooed and know what a full back piece entails I'll show them all the goods. Otherwise I usually just show the top and listen to all the comments about how they can't believe someone would get their ass tattooed.

Look through more portfolios and find someone who you know will draw it up in a way you like.

got this guy from Lee Knight yesterday, was meant to just be a consultation but he had space that afternoon and was blown away by what he was sketching up on the spot so went straight for it. Sits between the last two i posted the other day, on my shin

Picked up this Thin Lizzy "Cowboy Song" themed a couple of week ago from Ethan Franklin at James River Tattoo.

got this panther a couple weeks ago from curtis pettigrove and the pilot lady about a month ago from harriet heath

I also have the same obsession with hand tattoos. Here are mine !

Taking a trip down to LA to get tattooed by Shon Lindauer at High Seas Tattoo Parlor in Hollywood. The trip will be April 18th - 20th. If anyone has recommendations for restaurants in the area, they're more than welcome. Also, if anyone wants to meet up in LA, shoot me a pm. Would be cool to meet some more LSTers for tacos or something. Heard a lot about LA's Mexican food.

- - - Updated - - - I take terrible photos. She looks much nicer in real life ;)

Just a few weeks now till my appointment with Emiliano at Frith Street! Can't wait!

Booked up for back piece session number 3 with Marius Meyer on the 19th of May, also managed to snag an appointment with Morten Transeth the day before. Gonna be a good trip!

Bum progress. The ass and thighs are just plain nasty, and I don't recommend that anyone get them tattooed. :) Done by Mark Armstrong, Sacred Art Tattoo Manchester

once more into the ring... by Matt Dunn Rabbit's Den Milltown NJ 6 hours on da ribs reference art by David O'Keefe not the best pic - about 2 weeks healed edit: i think this pic is showing sideways - i made the change and you can see it rightside up if you tap the pic again - anyways...cheers

hands tattoo without sleeve done that's quite a bad thing to do imo! Most of artists should refuse to do this #ethics

Two from about a year ago: Watercolor pens, water, ink and paintbrush, some marker. A4-sized

You have all probably seen this all ready but here is the session on my back piece from a week ago when I was visiting Rudy Fritsch at his shop Original Classic in Trieste, Italy. Had a super good stay in the city and the shop is truly amazing, I could be there for hours just looking at all of the originals on the walls from some of the best in the culture and also from Rudy himself. We had lunch the day after the session and he sure is a very interesting and inspiring person too. Beyond happy with how this is progressing! Next session with Iain Mullen, who is the other part of this collaboration, will be in Stockholm quite soon and then the three of us converge during the Scottish Tattoo Convention in Edinburgh early next year to put the finishing touches on this project. I am a lucky guy :)

wow great pics everyone. @Graeme "squidmitts"! Hah! I don't generally seek out dotwork so those Jondix, Weisbeck, and Hooper hands are completely blowing my mind right now. Amazing! Unfortunately if I am ever able to get my hands done, it won't be for several decades. But in the meantime, here's a couple more on other people. Rich Hardy Grez

All-time favorite is on a friend of mine, mostly because of how silly it is. What do gorillas think about? Bananas, duh. By Drew Rash. Additionally, here are three I've seen on Instagram recently that I've loved. Another Tim Hendricks. Squeezing a readable ROA on there blows my mind. Grez. Does it get better than classic roses on a hand? Grime. And to totally tweak out the classic rose, a rose skull morph.

Thomas Hooper does my favourite squidmitts. A couple of examples stolen from his instagram:

My 3 year old niece wants to grow up to be a badass. Tattoos by Pixar, I believe.

Got these two pieces at the London convention, Fudo-she-o by Claudia De Sabe (Black Garden Tattoo), Panther-reaper by Bart Bingham (New York Adorned) As you can see I'm very happy with the trip to the convention this year! :D

Displayed method especially effective for those who get the ever-popular, "new boyfriend's name on your face in giant font" tattoo. "

Beautiful. Don't forget to add the part about "setting" the new tattoo immediately after removing the plastic wrap. To set your new tattoo, simply have a friend or acquaintance open their hand, place it over the tattoo, raise the hand in line with their shoulder, and, rotating at the elbow, bring down hand with as much force as possible onto the new tattoo. This will ensure that your tattoo will be permanent. It may take as many as three times.

Done on 4/6/13 at Love Hate Tattoo in Rochester, NY by Joseph (Jet) DiProjetto: I will be adding to it at some point...

That Dietzel repaint is killer!!! His eagles are seriously the shit. Here's one of my interpretations of his work:

hgiles knows what is up. Another good one below. The reds on it are really vibrant even in person.

some of my latest tattoos (huge pics incoming - sorry for that): jakub settgast - berlin, germany peter aurisch - berlin, germany erkan keser - mannheim, germany deno jr - madrid, spain seb winter - heidelberg, germany