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Think less is more. Unless you have a giant arm, you have more than enough going on. Let the design breathe.

I wouldn't throw anything else in there. That's already very busy.

My 2 cents. 3 koi are too much. They'd be so small they'd lose their detail and look amateurish. If you're really set on having 3, consider moving it to your leg. Most important, if you really want it to turn out well, go to an artist that has studied Japanese tattoos and understands how they are to designed. Don't just go to someone who has "done a few".

Plus aren't chrysanthemums a fall/winter flower? And sakura are definitely a spring flower. So you might remove the cherry blossoms and replace with maple leaves, but even then, there's really a lot going on. The sketch itself is nice, but the images are very compressed. Did you design this yourself? I like the style of the waves, certainly, but something seems static about the picture. It should of course seem completely vivid and in motion. That's my 2 cents and I'm by no means an expert and don't mean to offend.

It does look super static and very cluttered. I'd start paring down a bit. Too much "stuff" in such a small space.

It's very common; we get posts on here like every few days. I'd hold off on another one for a bit if this one is this concerning. Nothing to do now other than to grow to love it, which you've indicated you already do; it ain't going anywhere.

Last session is done... not sure how common it is to spend so many sessions on a single/first piece like this, but I'm having a lot of fun with the process so I guess it's all good! Again really appreciate all the info contributed on this site over the years (so if you're reading this: thank you!), it's helped my experience more than I can say. One more touch-up session scheduled in a month or so (artist wants to add a little more color to a few areas), but first tattoo down, now to figure out which of the dozens of ideas to have done next! Dang things really are addictive after all... 🙂

Dan's right: It's too early to tell, full healing will take 6-8 weeks. There's nothing you can really do besides take care of it as best as possible in all circumstances until that time is up. Take good care of it using whichever method your artist recommended and enjoy it for what it is.

I've never joined photos to make one connected image, but I've taken rotating shots and put them together to show the various angles. Taking the Pics: this is obviously easiest if you have someone taking pics for you. have them stand at the same location as you rotate, to get the same lighting. pay attention to the distance from the camera to the tattoo - try to keep size and location consistent if you're taking shots solo set the camera on a level surface that frames your piece well set the timer and take as many shots as your camera will do on timer same as above - stand at the right distance from the camera and slowly rotate take more shots that you need. digital pics are free! check out the set and redo as needed. be patient. later, when you edit, you can choose the best ones that work well to show the piece as a whole I've never tried this, but you might also be able to just take a video, then take stills from the video. Editing the Pics Choose the best shots that show a good rotation Crop each shot at the same height locations of the tattoo - in this example, top of arm to bottom of half sleeve Resize each image to be the same height Adjust values of each image, to be as consistent as possible Save Open a blank file and insert each shot in the rotation Align to fit Crop if needed Adjust values as a whole rotated image, if needed This is pretty amateur, but it's good enough for my needs.I've got nothing on ATAK. If you haven't already, check out Bloodwork: Sleeves and Bodies. Hope this helps!

@Hogrider - Many of the "brightener" product contain Vitamin C and/or some other types of mild acids (re: not retinols but salicylic acid) sold in regular "anti-aging" facial creams. The "brighteners" simply exfoliate. My concern around these product is sun exposure. Anytime you use Vit C or mild acids, the number one rule is to avoid sun exposure due to increased sun sensitivity.

How exactly does it brighten and protect tattoos? Sounds like marketing bullschitt to me. No need for special lotions and potents.

Here's a small one I got yesterday. It's a snail warrior, a symbol of the band Heilung. They play music derived from pre-viking northern tribes. Very ancestral.

@Dan Thank you! I had Kurt do my other foot 9 years ago but I've put off this one because it was so damn painful! Hahah @SStu Same! Putting my weight over my leg or digging my heel into the table made it easier to sit still. If I tried to relax I'd get a bit shaky/twitchy! @oboogie Agreed! My feet are quite bony as well, makes for an uncomfortable session!