Leaderboard

Doesn't look "square" to me. I like it. Another option is to get another tattoo by the same artist, and then just add to the 1st one during the same session. That'll basically be free, then.

It's fine. Leave it. As @Hogrider said, what you are wanting isn't a touch up, and it won't be free.

Jessie Hopless finished my rose today....

My name is Joe. I'm from New Orleans and I'm a collector. Forever having an appointment for my next tattoo haha. Next stops are Pagoda City and Bay Area as I get close to finishing my legs.

Thank you everyone who replied. I think I was going through some post-tattoo anxiety

It's not a touch up, it's new work and it's not literally five minutes of work. They have to set up, clean up, tear down, and sterilize whether they tattoo for five minutes or five hours. It's a well done, nicely designed tattoo. Live with it for a few months before you make any decisions.

Hahah yeah I had a feeling it was a bit too.. intricate. But I've been sitting here and doing some research, and just found something awesome, that might just be doable. I just sent my artist an email with some reference pictures, really stoked to hear what she thinks 🙂

I'm gonna use your "blow-out" as a metaphor: Part of the tattoo/line is a little too deep, the ink spread... Because you got in over your head with this tattoo, just like the line, it got a bit deep, then up it pops for a little air- you waded back up into shallower water, where the comfort zone was/is.... Blow-outs happen.... and if you weren't such a beginner in the "getting tattooed" pond... You would have been totally fine swimming in the deep end of the pond, cause you would have known... Hey, it's not just a "you pick it, we stick it..." It's a hey.... kinda big deal, but regardless, you would have been prepared for such a thing.... PS. It really sucks when someone has basically no tattoos, and they come into a place and start using "jargon" that they don't even understand, a little bit of manners, and a lot of mutual respect : will get you everything in a shop. Regardless.... I wish you the best in your tattoo collecting path.... And lots of luck.... When I was 18 and in a shop, I really do wish someone would have looked out for me... I didn't have that until I started working in the second tattoo shop, of my career... And I use the age of 18, because that's baseline beginner age, to me... I have an entire arm of dumb ass clowns... CLOWNS. And they cannot be removed. Just looking out for ya kiddo. AND I HATE ICP. but with this dumbass entire left arm: everyone thinks In love ICP. NO. Jennifer

and, really - in this day and age, the point is mute. There is no problem at all readily finding a tattooist who will happily tattoo whatever anyone wants, anywhere - and honestly, in this day and age, the stigma of some small hand and/or neck tattoo isn't going to affect many employment opportunities. At least in bigger cities. The new generation has more freedom to express (and possibly regret - and that statement is not a reflection on this particular case).

If I may... It's really not about the blowout. It's about changing cultural norms and how lots of people these days are rushing into tattoos in highly visible places before really committing to being a 'tattooed person' (ie arm sleeves, more larger pieces). Every artist and every client will have different views on this, but I have to say I agree with the old school mentality - certain tattoo placements are 'earned' in that sense.

So, I recall being asked if I was going to do the other side after I posted my left side's tattoo here some months ago... yes, yes yes, fine, you win; you were right. I couldn't leave it unbalanced. Discussed it with Horifuji after my last appointment for the left side and I asked him what he would suggest. He suggested Sojobo on the right shoulder to keep the theme consistent. The karasu tengu on the left shoulder would need to be supervised, anyway. Horifuji at State of Grace in San Jose USA. Outline and details machine, almost all colour tebori. Great shop, great people, great experience, great artist. Links to his Instagram posts as the photos are much clearer than what I can do. And both sides from the front...

I've had tattoos for a very long time now... and it is interesting how a first tattoo choice seems to have crept down to more visible spaces as the years have passed - in olden times first tats would typically be shoulder/upper arm... This is no longer the case - with sleeves these days seemingly proceeding upwards rather than downwards.... it's madness I tell you :-). I am getting old though - I was chatting with my tattooist chap about such things and he is getting more youngsters than ever looking for finger/hand/neck tattoos. I would certainly consider such things but would only have the confidence to do so after my retirement. That said it is very true that the tattoo universe has changed substantially over the last 30 years in it's relationship with the real world - at my place of work we have a dress down Friday - the young 'uns don't seem to mind their ink out on display ....and I've heard no disparaging murmurings from the old guard. Me - I wear long sleeved shirts - but... that's just me. It would be interesting to hear how many others have colleagues at work with no idea re the mileage of their inkage - I'm sure it's not just me (or is it :-) )?

There may come a day when hand tattoos won't limit career choices, but we're not there yet. I have pretty heavy coverage; two sleeves, full back and one leg, but I can cover everything up with pants and a long sleeve shirt. My only comment for people that want to get hand tattoos is to go into it with your eyes wide open. In today's economy, there is no more job security. You may need to switch companies or occupations. Think long and hard. If you decide to do it anyway, go big or go home!

I currently reside in Portland Oregon which is a pretty free thinking liberal microcasim in a conservative state. This year I traveled to SF, Oakland, LA, and Seattle so far and what I've noticed is the sheer previlance of hand tattoos on younger people (my people) 20-30s. Having had the opportunity to be tattooed by some of the most respected cats in the game we've talked about this phenomena. The resounding answer I hear from those tattooers is that they will avoid tattooing hands at almost all costs. When I really break it down with them their criteria is always the same, the individual should have heavy coverage, a stable job without any aspersions of making a massive shift in the work force and an understanding of the gravity of a hand tattoos whether they see it that way or not. I love hand tattoos I love the power they carry and at times I see myself with them one day. I always end the internal conversation asking myself those same questions. Do I have the coverage that would garner the respect of those in the industry I look up to, am I in a financial place where I feel stable enough in my job, is there another career that I might be limited or barred from because of my self expression? I am in no way suggesting these are rules everyone has to have thinking of getting hand tattoos. I guess I'm hoping to start the conversation on this current influx of hand tattoos, will these young people change the norm in accepting hand tattoos or are they just as limiting as we were raised to believe even in this day and age?