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Had my first session today (lines with machine) with Horitoshi I. Excited for shading and color by hand...

I've been working on this painting for the past couple of months, and I think I'm finally calling this layer done and now I'll let it dry a bit and then glaze it. I'm really happy with this one, I feel it's the first painting I've done where I've felt like I'm starting to get a feel for oils and how they work and that I'm actually beginning to paint instead of drawing with paint, if that makes any sense. It isn't a great photo because of glare, etc., I'll try to take better ones when it's finished. It's 12" x 36" on canvas.

Had this lady blasted on my shin today. Just one more sizeable piece on the back of my calf and then my calf is ready for fillers! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I believe that came from @SeeSea and agreed on it being a really great observation. It made me think of a blog I came across a couple of years ago from a local (visual) artist who was kicked out of a tattoo apprenticeship after a day because he had no tattoos and didn't seem to even really want any. Putting aside all questions of why this guy was offered an apprenticeship in this first place, what struck me about the post, and why I still think of it, was the extent to which this guy seemed like a total egotistical jerk, like he felt he was entitled to put his art on people. Conversely, I also thought about that Vice interview with Mike Brown where he talks about mostly tattooing hibiscus flowers on tourists, because he's a tattooer and that's what people want. we need more Mike Browns and fewer art school douchebags.

My new filler from Johnny Domus done on his guest spot at Dublin Ink today

It finally happened to me, in New York. I was walking around Park Avenue North running an errand for work. I was bopping along listening to Garbage when suddenly I realized I was a fucking outcast among all these business people for like, TWENTY BLOCKS. I am going to hold on to that sweet moment for a few days.

It always is unpredictable isn't it. Plenty of times I've gone in thinking breeze, and it's been far from a breeze and vice versa. We really never know what we're going to experience until we're under that machine. Simply just coming down to never becoming nonchalant about it and treat every sitting with the respect it deserves... if that makes sense. It's like in our things that people say that shit you thread...you must get used to the pain after all this time. I can never see how that statement would make any sense to anyone at anytime. How do you get used to pain? One of my answers to people when I feel like it is, part of me getting tattooed so extensively is because of the pain factor. Pain dictates everything in life. Learn to manage it, I can learn to sustain anything.

Needles and Sins pointed out this gem, a CBC television interview with Doc Forbes from 1964. CBC Digital Archives - Pastimes General - Doc Forbes, tattoo artist The interviewer talks with Forbes and his clients, we get some nice looks at his tattoos and his flash, but the coolest thing about the interview for me is near the end when Forbes is tattooing an 82 year old client who has really extensive work from George Burchett including a battle royale backpiece from 1906. I've posted this picture before, but I'm a bit of a nerd about tattoo history and when I was visiting my family in Vancouver last Christmas I made an appointment with Chris Hold at Sacred Heart Tattoo so that me and @Pugilist could get matching tattoos from some Forbes flash. What could be better as a souvenir tattoo in Vancouver than a design from Doc Forbes? Chris was amazing and super accommodating about fitting us in on short notice, and the tattoos are great, so simple, folky, and charming. Chris had also fairly recently visited Lyle Tuttle, who has a pretty huge collection of Forbes' flash, and we got to see scans Chris had made of it and there's a lot of really great designs in there. Lucky's Tattoo Museum also has scans of a bunch of his flash that you can view here.

Really good! @Graeme Well done. Couple of my latest efforts Worked with Jake Arnett on this sheet, In my opinion his paint and tattoo work is so good, It was an honour he wanted to paint a sheet with me. This sheet will be hanging up in my house before to long.

Such a great observation, @keepcalm. I can't find it now, but just yesterday, someone on LST pointed out that some tattoos (artsy-fartsy ones with very little black that take up lots of real estate) look like they're wearing the person instead of the other way around. I loved that observation, too.

Here is a healed up pic of the mushrooms. I think they healed up pretty well.

It looks like a healed tattoo.

Answering your questions, in order: It's looking fine. It is possible to redo the line work, but it is not worth it. Yes. ;) No removal and no cover up. You're welcome. It looks "sparkly" because it's a fresh tattoo. The top layer of skin hasn't healed over yet. Give it time. It seems like this is the third thread on the same tattoo. If you don't want the conversation to get buried, you can just reply to the old thread and it will bump... no need to keep creating new threads every couple weeks. That being said, there has been great advice in the prior two threads. Go back, read those replies over and over, and try to not dwell on minor imperfections.

Re tattoos wearing the person. I know this isn't exactly what you were referring to, but I'll admit that getting a large-ish eagle on me was a bit of a leap of faith. It's an image with a long history. For something that also sometimes feels pretty goofy, tattoos have been way more powerful than I'd ever imagined going in to this. I hope that this trip, if I can even call it that yet, continues to challenge me and shake me up!

Unofficial observations about tattoos on folks of my generation (roughly ages 21-35) in Portland, Oregon after spending a week there: Freaking EVERYONE has tattoos. Everyone has a bunch of small and randomly placed tattoos all over the place on their limbs. Often it looks like they just enjoy doodling on themselves. Most people look like walking sketchbooks. 50% of the tattoos any given person has seem to be ironic. Approximately 1% of the tattoos I saw would be considered American Traditional. Conclusions: Go big. Be bold. None of this wimpy "arrow on my forearm" bullshit. Side note: Getting even more excited for my appointment with Dennis del Prete in September! Lady head allllll over my right thigh. #winning

It is a tattoo.

I found it. 90 minutes into a long trail run this morning. Hope to use it on Friday for session 9.

Howdo all, been away a while just thought I'd share what I've been upto lately, would really appreciate some feedback. Instagram

Thanks MrToby. I spent alot of time looking at various artists throughout Australia as I could have potentially afforded to fly a few hours for each session. Luckily for me Kian is only about a 2-2.5 hour drive away and his work I really like. Nice work on your back as well, should look killer when done. I am reaching the point in my back thinking WTF have I done and I am over it all and want to stop but also thinking damm I cant wait to see this finished. :)

Ooh, Sciatica. That's literally a pain in the arse.

Use the hotel towels, they are probably cloroxed to death and the cleanest thing around. I use beach towels on my bed at home when I have a fresh tattoo.

I'm so glad you said this, because it's often what comes to my mind when I see a bunch of tiny outline-only tattoos on a person and then I sort of feel like a jerk for thinking it. It shouldn't matter what other people choose to get tattooed, it's just a bummer that a lot of it isn't more interesting to look at.

I understand where you are coming from too- This is just my opinion though and even though I am dedicated to tattooing and I do think a certain degree of thought must go into getting tattooed, I think that in the long run it is just a tattoo.

Damn thats cool @Graeme ! I really love the detail in the eye socket

This is the best advice, and it almost always gets overlooked. It applies to everything.

You should totally buy a print and a shirt from Casey O, he's a great dude and a brilliant artist. @Shaun1105 Congrats on all of those things!!! Also I haven't announced it on LST or anything, but I moved shops about 6 weeks ago. Instead of working upstairs from a bar, I now work a few blocks from my house in one of the older shops in town, and among brilliant and passionate artists. Like... we have barbeque's and shit, it's great!! Couldn't ask for a more fun and inspiring work environment.

posted this in the backpiece thread but i'm gonna give it a shot in here as well. finished yesterday thanks to Max Kuhn.

@cltattooing thanks man, no this one is a push to make because that's what I needed haha, will be doing some in colours to match the cables, and whatever is asked for, latching/none latching cable length ect

@taaarro DAMN!!! Looks AWESOME! Must be an AMAZING experience!

...actually I think it's the fifth.

I have to agree with Mick completely, for me the amount of pain and discomfort is almost random. Some sessions I have thought would be unbearable have been a breeze yet on the other side some areas I read are easy I have found quite tough. Recently just had both back of thighs background shading done. Left hand side I completely struggled with and couldn't wait for the session to be over. Yet just a week later the right side was a breeze. Elbow pits are another area alot say are bad, yet For me they were not too bad. My thoughts are every session hurts, some more than others. Thankfully no session has killed me yet so only makes me stronger. :) For me the end result is all that matters, getting great artwork.

I would rather mess up the sheets in a hotel instead of my own. Traveled for all off my back sessions and didn't have to deal with it at home, I recommend it!

Maybe look into getting a rash guard rated SPF 50. I find mine stays damp for a long time and does help keep me cooler once it's wet, even though it's a really dense knit.

Congrats. They're lucky to have you.

tattoos are cool.

Almost done. Just shading on the bottom and some work left on the sides. I've been at it for about 10 months, about 3 or so hours a month. It has been well worth the time, can't wait to be finished. By Tim McCarthy at Tsunami Tattoo.

So I am now two sessions into my back piece. See the pictures on the other Full Back Piece Thread. Before we started the first one my artist said to me "Hold on to your hat." I thought he meant just for that start. Turns out that statement definitely applies to the whole process. In general it has been pretty good so far with 3 hour session once a month but certain moments my metaphorical hat has certainly been lost. That spot on the love handles... dear lord!!! Who decided that was a good part of the body to get tattooed? There have been some quite funny moments throughout the first couple of sessions. I was slightly amused by one of the other clients in the studio during my first session who was fretting over a 20 minute piece on the bottom of her neck between the shoulders. Now I know every tattoo hurts and I never want to put anyone down for being worried about it because I have had those worries and totally sympathise, but I was just lining up for the start of a back piece... the difference in the situations just made me chuckle. There was also the awkward moment when I was standing with a towel held over the key area and my artist was doing some drawing and the primary school over the road emptied out for the end of the day. I felt like there was something slightly awkward about parents picking up there 10 year old kids whilst I was standing in plain view with my ass on show. Again it made me chuckle because what else can you do.

Beautiful tattoos, and could someone please give my boyfriend this idea?

Ha! It's not fun, but don't pay attention to me. I've been having back trouble recently and the thought of lying on the table for any length or even getting tattooed on my back is a really unpleasant prospect at the moment. I'll get back to it when my other back problems settle down. In the meantime - I work on legs. That said, I think backs often break people. There are a lot of people out there with unfinished back pieces. I wont be one of them, though I am taking my time.

Had franz stefanik put me through some pain yesterday, he was really fast and just a really nice bloke to get tattooed by, very happy with it and it dosnt look out of place next to my Santoro gorilla, he also did a butterfly on my girlfriends leg which I got her as a birthday present, which is always a win win I get a girlfriend with tattoos n she gets a new tattoo Obviously stolen from his Instagram, we all know how hard knee pics are to take

Got this from Steve Byrne yesterday, super excited about it: Based on this World War I German propaganda poster about the dangers of Bolshevism that I saw earlier that day in a World War I exhibit in town.

haven't posted in a while. my bad, dudes! hope you are all doing well. I recently got this guy from jason ochoa: and here's a healed photo of a higgs design I got from mark cross not too long ago:

[emoji106] I'd probably say the level of intoxication should be high with all parties involved whilst participating in any form of bizarre drunky blunders, although admission of such activities shall remain strictly confidential. My 9 year old daughter sets up tattoo booths, lines up all her colours and charges 50 cents for custom designs. All hearts and arrows [emoji4] I sometimes forget to wash them off and rock into work with a little texta tattoo slammed on the back of my neck.

Thought I'd throw this in. I hope no one minds as I've not posted too much on here. Done by Stewart Robson - Frith Street Tattoo

Tough competition this month, but I guess I'll throw my hat in the ring. Panther from Aaron Coleman. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Grez just made this one on me a few hours ago... I'm in love.

@Gregor ,yes that is very true. gonna post something pretty much now! til then i'll open a cold one and listen to the almighty wolfpack(sooo much better than wolfbrigade as they call themselves now)jonsson is THE best hardcore singer in sweden, ever. tattoo related nerd info for you all: alingsås custom tattoos in sweden is owned by denis from Doom. police bastard! - - - Updated - - - ok i used to sing in this here band called misantropic. now they have another singer and are fuckin awesome! check them(us?) out! two first songs is my lovely singing.

No. Then I looked them up. Not really for me. The "About": The requirements: Why must my tattoos be visible, and why 5? My big freaking back piece, which is NOT visible unless I am in a swim suit, doesn't count? I'll put my square footage up against your 5 infinity/quote/mustache/star/feathers any day. (Ooo, ooo, speaking of feathers, look who has her feathers all in a dander this morning :cool:) I get that they want people to link tattoos to charity in order to (I think) give tattoos a better rap, but really? They want to demolish stereotypes, but create their own with a silly definition about what "modified" means and what a modified woman "should be." I never thought of myself as a modified woman and I never associated tattoos with being "modified" so I guess it's a wash. :: pins on race bib to raise more $$ for charity :: My $0.02. Maybe I just need more caffeine. And sorry if you are a Doll or are looking for members. No offense intended.

for some reason the above link didn't work for me. if that is the case for anyone else, it is on youtube as well....