Hogrider

Quality ALWAYS matters. Someone is pushing ink into your skin with needles.There are LOTS of things that can go wrong, it's not just that you would have a shitty looking tattoo. If you can't afford quality work, don't get one.

I've never seen that. Are you moisturizing them? It kind of looks like too much moisturizer. I'm not a doctor, but what the doctor said makes sense to me.

I would just suggest being really careful. I've seen way more tattoos made worse by monkeying with them than made better. I would find someone really good at coverups. Not that you should cover it up, but this is not going to be easy to work with. Good luck. It's not a bad tattoo.

I'd leave it. It's not a bad tattoo. However, I wouldn't go back to the artist. It's too monochromatic. Get more tattoos.

Just my 2 cents, but you are way too early to think about filler. It looks like you only have two pieces on your leg. I'd check out the thread on legs.

It looks like you have plenty of room. Go big or go home, just look at my back!

Leopard.

I wouldn't base getting or not getting a tattoo on what might happen. Unless you double the size of your forearm, it will most likely still look good. If you plan on going all "he-man master of the universe," you might want to wait, otherwise, get in there an get that tattoo.

Yup. You never hear anyone say, "I just let it heal by itself and I'm having this problem." It's usually that they are putting a quart of the latest Tattoo cream on it every day. I've cut back my after care drastically from when I first started getting tattoos and I don't see any difference in healing at all.

My questions are 1- Is my experience with my artist's lack of planning and discussion so far normal for a larger piece? If you want more input next time, be up front about it. My first tattoo was a sleeve too. I told the artist to do whatever they wanted in the Japanese style. My only input was when we discussed what to put on my elbow and I suggested a flower. 2- Should I be paying for touchups when I'm already paying so much per hour? As stated, in a multi-session tattoo, yes. 3- Is this the price you'd expect to pay for a custom design not just a cookie cutter one or would it cost more for a truly custom piece? Unless they pulled the design off the shelf or stole it from someone else, it's not cookie cutter. 4- Would it be an issue if I switched artists since I'm not completely happy at this point? Yes, I doubt another artist in the same shop would finish the sleeve and even outside the shop you might have trouble finding a quality artist to finish someone else's work. 5- I was told it would be best to finish one full sleeve before moving to the other arm because the ink would look different if there was too much time between doing the lower half and upper half. Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, finish one before you start the other. 6- Is that true or would it all look the same after it's fully healed even if there was a large time gap before doing the top half? Ink fades over time, so you don't want to take years to finish a piece. Stop listening to "friends" who say $250 an hour is too much. I'm not sure what kind of asshole tells someone they paid too much for a tattoo, but that's not something a friend does. It doesn't matter how many tattoos they have. You knew the price going in, I'm not sure why it's an issue now. Next tattoo you need to set expectations with the artist. If you want to be really involved int he design let them know up front. Not every artist is interested in working with someone like that. One sleeve and my back I let the artist do whatever they wanted. The second sleeve, I showed a picture and said, "something like this." My first leg, I just said I wanted a tiger and we talked about the other elements. My other leg we just talked about the elements and kicked some ideas around, but I deferred to him. I've never seen a drawing or stencil until it went on me.

If it's dry, use moisturizer; if it's oily, stop using moisturizer. I've never had that, but everyone doesn't heal exactly the same. I will say that most issues I've seen come from too much moisturizer, not too little.

They lied. I've never even heard of it.

He has the means to run around tattooing in an RV, but he doesn't have the means to get to a shop? Run Forrest, Run! Coming soon - is this a blowout, is this infected, can this be fixed?

I wouldn't even know where to start. Go find an actual brick and mortar shop with professional tattoo artists that have verifiable experience and a portfolio that you can look at and can't drive off when you get the worst tattoo ever. Do some research, this is such a terrible idea I can't believe it's not a prank. Here's what you'll wind up with:

You got a thin line tattoo on some very delicate skin. Your expectation should be that there could be some blowout. No tattoo is perfect. If you take a microscope to ANY tattoo you can find something wrong with it.

And you've paid a deposit and you've got an appointment date. Go ahead, but if they cancel again, I'd ask for the deposit back and make a stink if they don't give it. Not having time to draw the tattoo is a bullshit excuse for cancelling since they had 3 month's notice.

I'm just kidding. IMHO people need to do way more research into the process and their artist before they get a tattoo.

But other than that it's OK? :-)

Could be over moisturized. Are you putting anything on it?

I've heard that lymph nodes can collect the 'debris' from tattoo removal, which breaks down the ink. I'm not a doctor, but I've never heard of a tattoo causing lymph glands to swell from "taking in the ink" and I don't think he is right. Frankly I don't even know what that means; taking in the ink??? Do your research. If this is a legit diagnosis, you'll find it on medical sites through a google search.

Be aware that it's really hard to do script well. You need someone that is really precise because you'll see every imperfection. Also, be aware that thin skin is more prone to blowouts. Even skilled artists can have them. Bigger is better. Make sure you have multiple recommendations, don't just pop into the first shop you see. Do your research before you get the tattoo so you don't wind up back here asking if there is some way to fix the shaky script or the blowouts. ;-)

Just my opinion, but the best way is to find an artist who's work you like and talk to them.

The lost art of communication. Unless your artist is on this forum and you think they will recognize you and remove your name, you'll need to make a phone call. I'm curious why your first thought is to post a question on a forum rather than pick up the phone. Has your artist given you some reason to think they will be unreasonable about your request to not use your name?

Do your research, find someone whose work you like and go see them. You've got a good, solid start there. Think of how much area you want to cover and approach it as a piece, don't think of adding this or the.