scottyg

@Acedia Looks amazing! You're a boss!

Well, another session; this one was tough: down the left side. Ugh.

dude, as Freud said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar

cross, like said above, or a dragon would look cool. something American traditional.

Jesus christ dude!!! be careful!!!

@ColoradoChic Pics didn't upload.

@Sankoosh I'd recommend getting that upper part laser removed, then covered up with whatever your new artist thinks looks sick.

@ThatGuy gotta give a shout out to http://behind-the-circle.com/ in Brooklyn. Easy to get to, walk ins. http://www.nyhctattoo.com/ if you want to support the scene. And please, while you're here, do NOT stand in the middle of the side walk while I'm trying to get home from work haha.

some nice minimalist mountains in the background would be cool

haha

@Matej Haviar Horimomo would be awesome! Your piece is so damn killer. I had no problem deciphering it; it's totally readable, and such a great scene. So much motion and life. Damn. And those lightening bolts are out of this world. Congrats.

@Matej Haviar Thanks man! You should totally get a tebori piece!!! And congrats again on finishing your backpiece!

@tertia Unless you have a very specific idea of where it should be I think you should always trust your artist. That is, as long as you have a rapport and trust him/her generally, then they should know best. For me, because I get traditional Japanese, I literally said, I'd like a Jikokuten backpiece, or, I'd like a minogame with momiji and waves. My artist had like three very general questions, and that was that. You give yourself over to the artist. So, considering your question, I'd say again, as long as you trust them, it's their call.

Well, Takashi beat the shit out of me for 3 hours yesterday; was able to do the mikiri/background shading on my left shoulder. But this was with tebori, for the first time on my backpiece, and although I have another tebori piece this was on a whole other level of pain. Especially behind the armpits... and the back ribs. Everyone says how your ribs kill, but no one talks about how your ribs extend to your back! But it's weird because I totally could have taken a nap were it not for the pain... by which I mean, there really is a rhythm to tebori that's different than machine, and while it's a different kind of pain altogether, that rhythm is relaxing. Anyway, Takashi rules, and persistence is the name of the game!

@SStu I feel you; I've been averaging about a month and a half for my backpiece sessions and I'm dying for each one to come around.

@Elcirigano How many sittings for this round?

@Mr_T I'm no dermatologist, but it looks like either you're putting waaay too much lotion on it, and that's causing the breakouts (pores are clogged), or it's an infection. I really think you're just overdoing it on the lotion, but I don't know. Second opinion, anyone?

@MrToast Dude, I don't think anyone has opinions about skinny guys with tattoos other than if you rock it it'll look great. You sound really self conscious, but the tattoo will be empowering. Yes, I think part of being a good tattooer is bringing out the strengths of the canvas. Good Luck.

@Elcirigano Unbelievable!

@SquareUp Great! I'm surprised others haven't commented on here yet. But at a certain point finding the right artist will be crucial, especially for something requiring so much precision. Then you can consult with them about details, etc. Good luck!

I mean, it's big for a first/perhaps only tattoo, but there's a saying: go big or go home. I definitely think you shouldn't start small, especially for something you're so committed to. And yes, tattoos can be/are addicting. The abstract tessellation would be awesome: I really like, and I think there are tons of examples, of abstract patterns in tattooing. Unless you're talking an entire backpiece, like in traditional Japanese tattooing, then I can't see the need to start on the back or think in terms of the entire body. American tattooing is usually not conceived in those terms, but certainly, if you're thinking about adding to it, better to think big. I'm no expert (though I am 1/3 into a backpiece)!

@SquareUp Awesome if insanely difficult-sounding idea. In terms of placement I'm thinking a gobu hikae, which is a Japanese chest panel that goes from the chest to the arm above the elbow. Mind you, I'm talking placement not style. Good luck.

Just don't get a burning cross....

look fine to me

I think anything just to fill empty space is a bad idea. It should be more thought out than that, especially because you have intense images already. Good luck.