el twe

Welcome. Honestly, I'm not sure that I'd opt for any kind of background. It looks like there are still a few places for some filler (bugs, flowers, abstract whatnots), but outside of stars and dots I'd probably just leave the skin open. If you have an artist in mind who you trust, his or her view is definitely worth hearing.

I can't help but think that you'll set yourself up for another disappointment by getting another "free" tattoo...

Couldn't click on this thread fast enough...

Just peeled some Tegaderm off for the first time a couple minutes ago, some initial thoughts: 1. Got tattooed Monday afternoon. Kept the original bandage on overnight (as I like to do), then washed it well Tuesday AM and left it bare (under my jeans) until that evening (didn't order it in time to arrive before Tuesday). 2. The tattoo wept a lot of plasma into the 2 sheets of 4x4" Tegaderm I applied, so much so that I sprung a minor leak at the bottom and had to patch a new piece under it. I should mention that most of that built up plasma worked its way out before the patch. This tattoo is on my shin, so gravity was really working against me. I later added another piece at the top to wrap around my knee - not a super friendly area as far as movement is concerned. These two pieces were added on Wednesday. 3. With the Tegaderm, I hardly even noticed I had a brand new tattoo while at work. There was no irritation from rubbing on clothing, and I could ride my bike in no problem. 4. Kept it on for 4 days (Tuesday-Saturday), so that the 2 edge pieces had been on for the minimum 3 - I was a little worried about ripping my remaining leg hairs out if the adhesive hadn't weakened some... It all peeled off fine, didn't even need water to help it off, so I just hopped in the shower after to wash it all off. All in all, the tattoo looks and feels great. Time will only tell how the rest of the heal goes, but I have a feeling that I'm past the worst of it. To me, just having the freedom to move without worrying about rubbing/irritation is worth the price of admission. In the future, I'll definitely order larger sheets to make coverage a little simpler (tattoo is about 4.5 x 7", a little tricky to get that extra 1" border around), but I think I'm a convert! Thanks to everyone who posted here, I definitely read through this whole thread at least once while making the choice...

Damn, two killer tattoos. You're off to a great start. And it took me a second to see the skulls in the panther head, but holy shit... Got any plans for what's next?

Yes, pictures please!

Super dig that shark, @jnin! I was going to post in here this morning that I was off to see Jeff P. at Art Work Rebels about filling some space on my leg, but I didn't and got tattooed anyway! Forgot to snap a pic before he wrapped it all up, but keep your eyes peeled in the Lowdown tomorrow...

Welcome to LST! We don't talk about money here, that will be best answered by whomever you choose to do the tattoo.

No real significance to this one, other than I'm a fan of Ron's work. The details were certainly crisper back then, but they're still hiding in there and the whole thing has less of a 'sticker' feel to it I guess. To each their own. @Gingerninja Yes! A Gordon Combs rooster head that a buddy and I got a couple summers ago. Gordon's done a bunch of super cool roosters since then, I'd like to think we started a bit of a trend...

Surprised to find that there isn't a thread for this yet, so here goes... We all know about "healed 'n hairy" tattoos, but how many of you have tattoos that you've only really come to appreciate after they've settled into the skin? It's taken a couple years for me to fully enjoy having this wolf on my leg. The tattoo was done by Ron Wells and I was ecstatic to get it, but before too long I didn't quite know what to think of it. Not that I didn't like the image, the artist, or the experience - it just felt a little out of line with my own demeanor. As time passed, more tattoos were added around it but it wasn't until the last couple of months that I realized I really liked this tattoo again! Even though the tattoo was mine, it took a while before I felt like I really 'owned' it, if that makes any sense. Here's a picture of it the day I got it, and one taken this afternoon (about 2.5 years later): So post your old, but better tattoos! I'd be interested to hear others' experiences in the matter.

^^^This. I've been happy with placements that the artist ended up moving (for the better), and I've asked to have stencils re-applied in a different spot before realizing why it was better the first time! Good placement might be the toughest thing for me to wrap my head around (other than the obvious eagle on the center of the chest, etc.), but boy do you know it when you see it.

Welcome. It sounds like you're on the right track - find an artist you like ad trust, and take his or her advice on where to start. Where are you located? Willing to travel?

Meant to post this in the dagger contest a few months back, but it'll work here, too! Done by Jeff P. in Portland, OR, several years healed and not going anywhere.

@IAmMattLewis Sounds like a great weekend, and I love that little skull!

I get this from time to time with older tattoos and have found witch hazel to be an effective salve to stop the itching. Available at your local drug store, and worth a shot...

Right on. You're off to a great start. Welcome to the forum.

I don't think you'll go wrong with a pin-up, eagle, or panther there. Classic tattoos in a classic spot.

I like that. Who is the artist?

^^^ https://www.tattoolifestore.com/apparel/tattoo-shoes.html

The rare combination! Awesome tattoo, I love the placement and how he tied it in with the surrounding pieces. Congrats!

Hi, Elle! Got any pictures of your tattoos? Plans/ideas for the future?

Awesome. I really dig the dagger lady, and that rose is top notch!

Good story, good looking tattoo. Who did it? Welcome to LST!

That's a great looking collection, Emil!

I like getting tattooed in the late afternoon/early evening so I can head straight to the bar after... Kidding aside (although I'm quite serious about that), covering your fresh tattoo should be just fine. Maybe try to get tattooed on Friday so you have the weekend to start healing/lotion-ing/following your artist's healing instructions. Keep it clean, keep it lightly moisturized, and maybe look into Tegaderm to really protect it.