Leaderboard

Imo. It would cover the area as in the skin but the actual cellulite would still be there and with different lighting would still be noticeable. It could possoble less noticeable with working shades and shapes. It has worked with scars etc with great and beautiful results Personally who gives a sh!t. Be comfortable and confident in you. Get tattoos for the art and beauty of the pieces. Cheers!

by Gus at Olde City Tattoo in Philly

this /\

hey bud welcome aboard only thing i could think of is add colour to the thorns/leaves (which might look wired without colouring the CoA on the front of the arm OR add colour highlights to the arrow heads/tails. it looks fine ! my $0.02 is just leave as is, it will make a mess of things if you try to change or coverup minor details. don't overthink it, it's just a tattoo, get some other tattoos. cheers

I recently got this incredible peacock from Luke Jinks at Cloak and Dagger. The picture I pinched from his instagram page also shows a glimpse of a Bert Grimm sun I got from Nick Mayes when he guested at Frith Street back in March.

i actually dig it get more tatts

Here's the lowdown: this weekend my wife and I are heading to Denver to see The Cure, a band I haven't seen since 1987, and then we are each getting tattoos from Destroy Troy at Til Death. Any advice on how to survive the next three work days is appreciated.

His / Hers eagle tattoos by Chris David - Government Street Tattoo (Victoria, BC) hers: "could you make my eagle more feminine please" his: "just make mine a good ol U S of Eh screamin' eagle"

Finished my lower leg with Grez at King's Ave NYC. He added the (bloody and swollen) lighthouse and ROA piece to go along with the clipper ship from Russ Abbott. I couldn't be happier with how he was able to tie it all together. Sorry for the giant pic, I'll post healed shots in a couple of weeks, there's a video on my IG: wedge45.

Hi, everyone. Before I introduce myself: Thank you! I've been reading forum archives for about a week - and I appreciate and respect all the information that has been shared here in the past. My name is Chris. I'm 45 and about to get my first large piece. This will be my fourth tattoo -- but my first in almost 20 years, so I feel like a complete virgin. Especially since my other pieces are small and completely hidden. My first tattoo was my fraternity letters on my ankle! I know -- just about as dumb as you can get. Interestingly, they were done by Pinky Yun at Dragon Tattoo in San Jose! In a scene many of you professionals have probably seen too many times, a bunch of us showed up right before closing and asked for the same tattoo. By the time the third one was done, the other seven had lost interest. I didn't have any idea who Pinky was at the time and didn't even know he was famous until the morning after. (This was in 1989). His shop just happened to be the closest one to the university. My next tattoo was almost as bad: the typical 1990s tribal armband. Oh yeah! I know these tattoos bring instant chuckles these days, but I assure you, in 1992 this was awesome. I had a good 2-3 year run until they started showing up everywhere. Good times! My third tattoo was in the late 1990s, another tribal piece, but actually a really cool one that actually flows with my body and doesn't look like cheesy flash. It swirls around my ankle bone and down my foot. It's the only piece I have that I actually love... but the bad ones hold a special place in my heart, and I've passed on chances to cover them up. Like most people who start getting tattoos, I never thought my last piece would be my final piece.... but college turned into post-graduate school which led to starting a family, and honestly tattoos just went off my radar completely for nearly 20 years. Until about 3 months ago. Early this year, I logged onto Facebook and was shocked to see my brother-in-law, a respected attorney, bust out a large piece on his arm. But after I saw it in person, it really stirred something inside of me: the desire to get another tattoo. This wasn't a new desire, but an old one awakened. And it dawned on me: I'm now middle-aged with grey hair. I own a successful business, and it's in an industry where tattoos are very common. I now live in Austin, Texas where everyone and their sister sports multiple visible tattoos. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the barriers that made me put it out of my mind prior (social acceptance, career, etc). had been mostly eliminated. Any reason I might have previously used not to get tattooed was pretty much moot at this point. I had already decided years ago that traditional Japanese was my favorite tattooing style. A friend's dragon-koi sleeve stirred my interest more than decade ago, well before these became as common on Westerners. Well, I've done my research, realized that I live in a city with more than a few really well-known Irezumi specialists, and decided on Scott Ellis at Triple Crown Tattoo here in town. There are a few other names in this city that may seem like a more obvious choice to some given their fame... but after scouring portfolios and meeting a few of these guys, Scott was my #1 pick. For those who have seen his work (his name comes up in search only a few times on this forum), he does a really nice, bold, Japanese style that I like. And on a personal level I found him much more engaging than others I met with. Had my consultation last week, and it went great. I can't decide how long my sleeve should be so I'm starting with a half. Scott assures me that if he knows I may want to go longer later ahead of time, that this style is extremely easy to extend later. I'm confident that once in place, I'll wish I had gone longer vs. shorter... but despite working in an industry where tattoos are the norm, I am having a hard time fully seeing myself with a visible sleeve. Well, some days. Other days, I see gorgeous Japanese sleeves online and really want one. Then I'll decide that 7/10 is really the ideal length. And then a day later I'm back to wanting to keep it half-length for now. Really, I can't decide. I have an appointment with Scott to do the linework on Friday. I am so excited/nervous, that the tattoo is filling my head in most of my free time. I keep deciding, and then adjusting the length I want in my mind. I keep looking at Scott's online portfolio/instagram over and over and over in order to reassure myself that I've picked someone who can create what I want. I even have moments (fleeting, but they happen), where I wonder if I'm crazy to commit to such a large piece. Sometimes I even wonder if I should expand my artist search to other cities, since flying somewhere to get a piece that will last forever is a small price to pay. I assume a lot of this is normal. I don't want to make it sound like I am on the fence... but I do assume that flashes of buyer's remorse, or last minute jitters, are just part of the overall excitement/tension/anticipation of a (first) large tattoo. Can anyone else share their feelings about their first visible/partially visible tattoo? Or the first time they committed to a significant tattoo (vs. small one-off pieces)? Despite all my excitement, I guess I'm still seeking a bit of reassurance that I've picked a good artist, or that some of these nervous feelings are normal and too be expected. Anyone who wants to comment, I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance, and of course, I'll be posting some photos later this week!

Be sure to post photos! :-) He was doing a book of flash with the cartoon artist who does Please Keep Warm. My Prison Tat Jesus was part of the same series.

well I don't think you will find a "cultural reference: who invented this design" of it,the only thing I think you will find is examples of what other artists have drawn up & done in a tattoo,I don't think there is a "cultural reference",that's like asking for a "cultural reference" of a swallow or anchor tattoo,it's just art IMO.

Yes, I was looking for something like this, I will add the spider hanging from the spiderweb and two flowers to balance the composition and make it look a little bit less, let's say "creepy". I'm really looking forward to this!

My artist did this on someone:

I recently got this tattoo a week ago. The arrows are a sibling tattoo and I wanted some filler to fill out my bicep and my artist put some vines and thorns to fill in. The vines are attached to roses on my arm. I am not really a big fan of how the thorns and vines turned out and was wondering if anyone had Ideas on how to get them fixed either by adding to them or fixing the thorns or what not. And if that can't be fixed what about a cover up? what type of cover up would i have to get to cover what I have on the inner bicep? Does anyone have any ideas for that as well? I love the front of my arm which i got done last year which is my coat of arms, and a banner, but i am disappointed on the inner bicep and need some help and advice. Thanks so much!!

Welcome aboard :) Just echoing the same deal here, get more tattoos and youwont even notice :) besdies youre probably the only one to pick up on any issues. Fill outthe arm and it will be right

I Dig it too ... Maybe look closer at portfolios to make sure your artist is the right fit for you?

Paul Jeffries

my neck and the top of my hand has been the least painful for me.

Yeah, it doesn't take much. I can't be mad at her. When I took her to the vet last week, she weighed 15.5 pounds. This week? 20.5 pounds. Holy shit, she's growing so incredibly fast!

Lets go with a few more what the heck: Becca Gene Bacon at The End is Near in Brooklyn with the fish rose morph. Becca is really nice and hit homeruns daily. Rob Ryan with the Hand of Glory and Mandala Big Cat at Electric in Asbury NJ. Rob is a super fast and as nice as they come. Steve Boltz with a flying fish at Smith St. in Brooklyn. What a great shop and Steve was filled with great conversation. I thought it was the coolest thing sitting down and having lunch with Steve after the tattoo. Gotta get back to Smith. Sheila Marcello with this flying lady head on my collarbone. Sheila rocks. Electric in Asbury. Rob Ryan again at Electric with some fish mandala knee magic. Lastly I traveled to Maryland to the Wheaton Tattoo Paradise shop to get this fiery eyed lady from Chad Koeplinger on his 50 state tour. Got to meet a lovely LST member as well. A blast of a day (though way too much of it was spent in a car lol). Anyway - love these picture heavy threads with cool tattoos so...lets keep going.

Rose of No Man's Land by Chris Ayalin- Liberty Tattoo, Seattle Parrot, Panther head/Rose by Dan Pryor- Seven Seas Tattoo, San Diego Eagle by Phil Hatchet Yao- Master Tattoo, San Diego, Snake by Alfy Iglesias- Seven Seas Tattoo, San Diego

Percy Waters crane/lady by Tony Nilsson at Blue Arms Tattoo

I had a consultation with Yutaro at Seven Doors Tattoo today and put down the deposit for Japanese cranes on my arm! He wants to do another consultation, which includes drawing on me, about 10 days before we start tattooing in two months. I love that he's taking the time to check how the idea works on my body before he draws up the actual stencil. Very excited now!

make that your status :D

Finally finished this huge thigh piece a few days ago, loosely based on the cover for one of my favorite metal albums! Pictures taken a couple hours after when I was still ridiculously red and swollen. I'll be sure to post better pics once it's done peeling. Done by Sam Warren at Dreams Collide in Lancaster, PA. Pic from the front/side: From the back:

Hello and welcome. Lots of good advice here already for you. I think your Trisiras idea can be made into a great tattoo once you find the artist you'd like to do it. An Atlas tattoo also would be cool. Putting them both together into the same tattoo - probably not a great idea. Just get two separate tattoos (unless you're thinking this is going to be a full god-themed sleeve or something). I know it's your first tattoo and so you want it to be perfect but putting too many elements into it will not make it better. Good luck!

I disagree with this sentiment. Those tattoos can be covered up or lasered off, and with the exception of her back, I don't think those would be especially difficult coverups. They're mistakes, they're gross errors in judgement, but starting by getting shitty tattoos doesn't mean that you're stuck getting shitty tattoos forever.

Jesus man, well done. I've been thinking about adding Chuco to the list of must visits, and this might have solidified it.

Here's a couple I've gotten recently: Dagger/rose by Charlie Roberts Greg Irons SNCL skulls by Candi Kinyobi Three wishes by Chuco Moreno Lady head/peacock/rose/name by Freddy Corbin Surfing Mahakala by Eddy Deutsche

Got this good lookin' little guy yesterday from Ron Wells.

Got this dragon head from Greg Christian when he was at Congress St tattoo! I have always wanted a dragon head from him and I absolutely LOVE this one. This was done on Saturday 4/30. The very next day Jason Scott finished up the background on my left arm. Super happy with the results of that as well and I will post those pics soon. It was super annoying to heal two arms at once, especially considering the Greg Christian piece is almost my whole inner forearm, and Jason Scott's work was from my elbow up to my armpit and shoulder. It was all worth it though in the end. Greg recommended using Tegaderm to heal the dragon head. Jason Scott had a roll of it, and between him, Greg, and Spencer Scott, they managed to get it on really well. I guess the stuff wasn't cooperating at first and it took a few tries (painful tries... put it on, take it off....) and a few different hands to get it on in the end. That stuff seemed to work like a charm. I've included a mostly healed pic as well. I say mostly healed because you can still see a few flakes of the second peel in that pic. I would definitely use it again. I healed Jason's stuff the normal way and that turned out really good as well. Very relieved and extremely happy as I find healing tattoos pretty stressful all around.

by Robert Ryan @ Electric Tattoo in Asbury Park NJ

Snake sleeve in progress by Yoni Zilber @ NY Adorned

Got this panther from Steve Byrne when he was guesting at invictus in Oslo.

I don't think I've posted this here--Todd Noble made this lady in a rose a couple months ago. I really enjoyed getting this tattoo; he has a good bedside manner and just seems like an all-around good human. I can't get an un-distorted photo of this but you get the idea.

gonna repost in this thread cause i'm super stoked on my latest n greatest Snake by Scott Rusnak / Lucky Strike Tattoo Edmonton 2016 body wraps onto the inside of the wrist. i'm really happy with the placement which was tricky because I didn't want to lose the dragonfly above. i'm stoked about the negative halo to keep it pop'd. the snake tongue is super legit. Dragonfly (aka Snakedoctor) by Shawn O'Connor / Ink Machine Tattoo Edmonton, AB 2014 considerably lower anxiety during the healing. it's 1 week old now and the snake had it's first shed. the tongue is really scabby but so far everything is holding. hands are a bitch to heal. so now both hands are done and sleeves dropped down all the way to the edge of the wrist. ink is leaking out of my long sleeve shirts yeeehaw

classic dietzel snake head by Todd Tattoer (at Merci-Bonsoir in Lyon - France) You can't see the tongue, but there's one! :)

Well, today was the day! What a long, but great day! It began a little before 11:00am. I was the first one in Triple Crown Tattoo with Scott Ellis (most of the day, there were 10-15 people there, and at one point six artists were tattooing simultaneously). He had been working on a few designs based on the sleeve length I wanted. Over the week between today and our consultation, I had decided to ask him to put the dragon's head somewhere on my arm instead of with the head in the more traditional chest area. I was a little worried to be asking for this, as Scott has a relatively new sleeve with the head in the center, and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I was trying to copy his own tattoo. Luckily, when I got there, he informed me that the last several dragons he had done had the head on the chest, and he was dying to do something new. Perfect! His sketches had just what I wanted. It was a really good sign. However, getting it right took some time. Using thin paint brushes, he created the design over four separate layers. The dragon's head had to be moved several times, and the unique swirl of the dragon we decided on what difficult to get right without looking like the head was plopped onto the center of the body... but Scott is a perfectionist, and after a lot of erasing and revising, and then relining, and revising, etc... we were finally done with a design ready to be inked at 2:40. With only a few short breaks, it took a lot longer than I expected. But the result is something that works specifically with my body as opposed to just slapping a template onto my arm. I love it. Here is a quick snap of Scott somewhere between layer 2 and 3 of sketching on me: I haven't had a tattoo in nearly 20 years, so I had no idea what to expect from the pain, especially over so many areas. Tattooing in the ditch was no treat, but not as bad as I had come to expect from reading. The outside of the elbow lived up to expectations. But the worst was around my collarbone, where any wincing or tightening of my face would risk pulling the skin under his needle. And there was one spot on my chest where I could clearly feel the vibration on my pec, but the pain was in my neck. I could have sworn at the time he was tattooing my upper-middle neck. Long story short (yeah, right), we finished up the linework a little after 5:00pm. I am absolutely thrilled with the result... and was getting tons of compliments on it by the many artists and clients in the shop throughout the day. Here is a front shot: It is a little difficult to see from this angle and with only linework, but the dragon's body actually goes out the back of the head and swirls up and around the shoulders through the clouds and comes out belly showing under his head before turning again towards the end of the sleeve. It makes a little more sense visually if you can see the back. I also have the dragon clutching a pearl with his talons on the back on the sleeve and will actually be filling the pearl with a significant flower logo in the next session. Overall, a fantastic day. I couldn't be happier that Scott got all the elements I wanted into the design, was able to keep it very traditional, but also with a great deal of uniqueness built just for me. If any readers are in Austin, Triple Crown Tattoo on Chicon Street (right around the corner from Franklin's BBQ!) is a must-visit.

Just got this reimagining of a Rock of Ages by Aaron Hodges at Spider Murphy's. Stolen from his instagram:

Many people have seen this all ready I guess. By Jondix, 11 days ago. Had such a great time. Stayed at the shop past midnight, talking and eating after the session. Everybody should get something from him. Super good heart, attitude and knowledge of tattooing and art. Wrathful offering of the five senses by Jonas Nyberg from last year.

This is 2-3 days after my 3rd sesh w/ Jason Brooks. Got a little of the background to finish, but gonna start to fill in the scales next time. Can't wait till the next appointment!!! BTW, these boards introduced me to Jason. THANK YOU ALL :D