PurpleStain

Hi guys. I'm new to tattooing. I don't know have any tattoos, but I plan to get one or more soon. It's been on my mind for a couple of months and at this point I'm certain I'm not about to act on a whim. Anyway, I plan on getting a half or full sleeve tattoo. I'm into realistic tattoos like these two: I had a couple of design ideas based on the above tattoos, and some other imagery which I presented, and I suggested them at a couple of tattoo parlours in my area. I'm left with mixed feelings. The owner of parlour A argued that a tattoo should be simple, without any special effects (light, referring to the latter tattoo), since they can't be represented very well. He suggested some simpler art, mostly asian and rock/heavy metal designs. He also suggested for me to use my arm as a place holder for multiple, smaller tattoos. Regarding the former tattoo, one of the artists at the parlour said that it's not a tattoo (verbatim quote). Parlour B have been more receptive towards both ideas and drew up a sample image based on the lightning tattoo. The artist I spoke to had even tattooed something very similar to the one with the muscle tissue. What bothers me in their case is the time they said it would take for a full sleeve tattoo - 2-3 sessions, 4-5 hours each (15 hrs tops). Parlour A, on the other hand, mentioned 15 hours for a half sleeve tattoo and 25+ for a full sleeve. It's not the long duration of either one that bothers me - it's the discrepancy. And basically that's the reason I joined this community. I'd like to know how can I communicate with tattooists, what can I expect from them, how can I make their work easier? Also, what is a tattoo?