Dennis

I've always loved this dragon by Filip Leu. The scales are so delicate, smooth, and flawless. I wish I could find another picture of it!

Of course the internet helps immensely and there is far more exposure to what makes a good tattoo (conversely, I had my first exposure to artists like Paul Booth through the ex-biker boyfriend of my boss at a retail store when I was a kid). That being said, even when I was completely new to tattooing, it wasn't hard to differentiate between a well drawn tattoo (in this instance, a koi) and a poorly drawn, poorly proportioned one. I had many chances to get large pieces I was interested in from local (within 2-3 hour drive) tattooers when I first got into tattooing, but I knew it would be worth holding out for the right artist. I would rather abstain until I could find an artist with the ability to tattoo what I want rather than just settle for a piece that I could pick obvious rudimentary flaws with. The era, location, and difficulty to discover tattoo artists obviously comes into play in Jimmy's case, but if you're serious about wanting a tattoo done a certain way, you can find a way to get in touch with and travel to these artists (much like, to a lesser extent, people are doing to get appointments with Roper nowadays).

I find it hard to consider him the "standard" when you had the likes of Horihide, Sailor Jerry, and Horiyoshi II tattooing around the same time Jimmy was in his prime. Going from Jimmy's work like this : to his work now: Compared to work from other Japanese artists from back in the day: Regardless of his history or time spent tattooing, his work is bordering on Craigslist quality when compared to his contemporaries. That being said, I can appreciate his perseverance throughout the years, despite openly admitting it is just the pay the bills.

I can agree with that viewpoint, though I personally would have too much of a conscience to be permanently marking someone with poorly drawn tattoos just to make ends meet. Then again, that shit happens all the time to this day!

I'm not too familiar with Jimmy, but did he really rip on Horiyoshi III for not free handing everything when his kois (past and present) look like Sardine Penises? He doesn't seem very passionate about tattooing, just seems to be in it for the money. Disappointing.

Finally scored a copy of Ozuma Kaname's long out of print "Women in Tattoo" book. I've been drooling over it ever since I saw it in Kurt Wiscombe's shop 6 years ago! Can't wait for it to come in!

Great examples so far! Much appreciated!

@ironchef I think I would only do colour if I had one cohesive full suit of waves and rocks with a massive Koi on my back, except the colour would be done like the Horimatsu piece, just a hint of yellow in the fins!

That's the ticket! Thank you! More more more!

I'm looking for photos of Koi backpieces with a specific perspective on the Koi, illustrated in the Roper and Horimatsu pieces below. I haven't seen many done from this perspective but I think it looks great! I've seen a Rubendall piece like this at one point but am unable to locate it. Any pictures or links would be appreciated! Thanks!

Yep, they are amazing! The only thing I would change on the right suit is to narrow the munewari (like this Horiyoshi 3 suit) and extend the legs down to the ankles!

Not mine, but great to see Kore Flatmo posting again, it's been close to a year!

Really chapped my ass listening to the judges and the human canvas jury picking apart Jason's tattoo as unreadable. Have none of you seen Ifugao, Asmat or Dayak Ancestor/Headhunting skulls? It was clear as day what it was supposed to be! FUUUUUUUUUUU Then again it didn't seem like Jason knew what it was either.

Yeah that Rubendall piece is definitely tibetan inspired! The skulls are adorned with smaller skulls, just like real Tibetan necromancer masks!

@Graeme They almost look like something out of Tibetan Mythology rather than Japanese. "In the sacred Tibetan Skeleton dance two Dharmapalas (Protectors of Truth) appear, played by Monks, deities whose role is to protect the cemetery grounds. Their presence also reminds the audience of the ephemeral nature of this world and of their own mortality." I know in Japanese mythology there is Gashadokuro, who are giant skeleton who bite the heads off of people and drink the blood. Maybe it's an amalgamation of the two ideas? Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about! Either way, they are great tattoos!

Take it easy!

@Other Awesome collection!

Yeah I just logged in to around 500 notifications. I thought my nudes had leaked!

Looks great! Those look like Kore Flatmo sleeves too if I'm not mistaken!

Not really books, but part of my collection. Just got these two Monkey Kapalas in the mail. They are stunning!

Hahaha it's true! I honestly think substantial muscle definition/low body fat takes away from the look of a tattoo.

!!!

Met lots of great people through tattooing, and have gotten into collecting books related to tattooing, especially Japanese tattooing! I am slowly amassing a collection Japanese masks and tibetan artifacts like Kapalas, Damarus, Kanglings etc. I guess tattooing was the gateway to my interest in collecting skulls and bone related items! As far as health related things, I generally try to stay relatively fit. I think tattooing had the opposite effect on me, where I was working out regularly and then once sessions come I am down and out during healing which makes it hard to be motivated to get back into it. I still try to get workouts in when I'm not too busy with school though!

Did the copyright form address not posting the image until he has had a chance to run it through a photoshop or instagram filter? All joking aside, I think face tattoo's work great on some people, but I'm personally not getting one. I love this one from Victor Portugal!