Hands On

I got two tattoos done at the same time in February. One is a rad dinosaur puzzle and the other is a moon lady. Done at Companion Tattoos by an amazing artist named Dylan Mott.
Pics here- 
https://www.reddit.com/r/tattoos/comments/luz8e2/tats_done_by_dylan_mott_at_companion_tattoos_in/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

4 more hours down, 16 so far. The yellow stained lots of the black and will mellow out once it peels/heals. The wings are mostly black/brown. Here's how my sessions go
Hour 1: this isn't as bad as I remembered it 
Hour 2: uh oh, this is worse than I remembered
Hour 3: Ok maybe we should stop this looks fine unfinished 
Hour 4: I am dying and need to stop immediately (said in my head every minute until he tells me we're done) 
 

Here's a decent photo of it. Nearly healed now. 🙂 
This was a gift from my tattoo artist ... he's moving three hours away. Boooooo. But I'm happy for him. It's a great new studio, and he'll be closer to his family.

Just got a new little filler piece on the back of my leg from Dave Fox tonight.

@FXRrich,
it's a pleasure to revisit LST and see some worthwhile content... especially on one of the coolest threads.
I remember seeing or reading Myke's interview from Tattoo Artist Magazine and getting those same vibes that you described. There are many tattooers with similar traits who provide great experiences and create amazing stories to tell. I'd love to hear your experience, but burying it in this thread doesn't seem like it would do it justice. I'm not sure I've seen another thread with that content, but I'm thinking we could start one where folks can share their experiences, stories, and interactions with great tattooers. Thoughts? You wanna take the pleasure of starting a new thread? If not, I'd be happy to start one, add a story and tag you to share yours.

@FXRrich,
it's a pleasure to revisit LST and see some worthwhile content... especially on one of the coolest threads.
I remember seeing or reading Myke's interview from Tattoo Artist Magazine and getting those same vibes that you described. There are many tattooers with similar traits who provide great experiences and create amazing stories to tell. I'd love to hear your experience, but burying it in this thread doesn't seem like it would do it justice. I'm not sure I've seen another thread with that content, but I'm thinking we could start one where folks can share their experiences, stories, and interactions with great tattooers. Thoughts? You wanna take the pleasure of starting a new thread? If not, I'd be happy to start one, add a story and tag you to share yours.

@FXRrich,
it's a pleasure to revisit LST and see some worthwhile content... especially on one of the coolest threads.
I remember seeing or reading Myke's interview from Tattoo Artist Magazine and getting those same vibes that you described. There are many tattooers with similar traits who provide great experiences and create amazing stories to tell. I'd love to hear your experience, but burying it in this thread doesn't seem like it would do it justice. I'm not sure I've seen another thread with that content, but I'm thinking we could start one where folks can share their experiences, stories, and interactions with great tattooers. Thoughts? You wanna take the pleasure of starting a new thread? If not, I'd be happy to start one, add a story and tag you to share yours.

@FXRrich,
it's a pleasure to revisit LST and see some worthwhile content... especially on one of the coolest threads.
I remember seeing or reading Myke's interview from Tattoo Artist Magazine and getting those same vibes that you described. There are many tattooers with similar traits who provide great experiences and create amazing stories to tell. I'd love to hear your experience, but burying it in this thread doesn't seem like it would do it justice. I'm not sure I've seen another thread with that content, but I'm thinking we could start one where folks can share their experiences, stories, and interactions with great tattooers. Thoughts? You wanna take the pleasure of starting a new thread? If not, I'd be happy to start one, add a story and tag you to share yours.

Hey guys, just read through all 44 pages of this thread and felt I could contribute a few things as I have a back piece in progress with Myke Chambers. It’s very reassuring to hear that a large portion of you felt this is very tough project to tackle. I have my full front done and with the exception of the belly button, the back is just brutal in comparison. I’ve found the sweet spot for me is 3-3.5 hour sessions. That seems to be where my endorphins are drained and it becomes a huge mental battle. 
I believe a few of you mentioned involuntary movements when tattooing the butt and i experienced crazy spasms in my left cheek. Myke actually had to have another tattooer hold my ass still. I’m only 3 sessions in and we started this a LONG time ago. Late 2013. Then lots of life’s curveballs were thrown at me and I just wasn’t able to get tattooed. There’s a bit of story with that which I think speaks to my experience and the character of Myke and what a genuinely caring, humble, and down to earth guy he is. I don’t want to go into it with a huge post if it’s of no interest but I’ll gladly share my experience if anyone would like to hear it. 
Anyway, I’m back where I want to be, achieved the goals I set out to reach and am in a place where I can get back into this.

I also had my first session on my back, and yes, it did hurt! I knew to expect pain and it fully delivered. Worse than chest or stomach. 
Design and work by @ilejarvinen
 

No wrong answer here, only personal preference. I have predominantly mid-sized (hand or slightly larger) tattoos and love how they've sorta puzzle pieced together over the years, but there are always times I look at huge bodysuits and wish I'd gone that way too. But it always goes back and forth!

i have a few large, multi-session tattoos and plenty of one shot tattoos, so i know and love the feelings of each. i've also thought about this in the past after starting and completing the multi-session pieces.
one shot tattoos get you that instant gratification. they can be sign posts thru life or little things to remember. they work better for collectors who want to get tattooed by many different tattooers and have different experiences or vibes. they can fill the itch quickly, with little to no thought.
large, multi-sessions tattoos are a whole other experience.  It takes planning, commitment and dedication which increases the level of gratification.  Each step along the way gets you closer to the finished product and furthers the anticipation. Schedule a consult. Consult. First session line work. Shading. Color. Details. The final wipe down. BEING DONE. There are times when you dread going in for that one part that's gonna hurt like a motherfucker. There's the joy when you see that part done and you know that a tattoo needle never has to touch that part again, for the rest of this lifetime. You build up a relationship and familiarity with your artist.
You can still get some of those same feelings with smaller tattoos. You can get a body suit of one shot pieces by the same artist. You can plan how all those pieces are gonna fit together and get the gratification of getting each spot done.
here are a couple examples by Paul Dobleman and you gotta love both! It's really just the aesthetic and experience that each individual is seeking, and that journey is as different as can be. (by the way, @Nadams1024, the mermaids are facing outwards and it's still right).
 
i guess this is just a long-winded way of saying that it's all good, to each his own, just keep getting tattooed!!
 

Have a consult tomorrow my next one. Have a couple ideas and style that I would like to go with. Im thinking the comic book style illustrating here. Want to combine a few idea but we will see what the artist says tomorrow

Just thought I’d share some progress on my turkey vulture back piece. Around 12 hours in and it’s coming together! This piece has really tested me mentally and physically. I just got out of Covid quarantine and my body was not at all prepared to handle a tattoo. This last 4.5 hour session was brutal. I feel like such a little baby but this back piece has been deeply painful! I love being tattooed but getting them... do not enjoy 

agree with you both! it's tough to pick a favorite, but I enjoyed the thread even sparking the thought. made me think of my tattoos and some of the experiences that came with them. the brain's a funny thing, eh?! you see a tattoo or hear a trigger like this and it immediately opens those memory banks and you get a rush of good vibes!
that all said, i have some small ones that mean a lot. i got a mini portrait of my dog who passed in 2016 on my inner wrist that i see all the time and it makes me smile. it's at least in my top 5!

Just had my first session on my back piece 😍 covering up a couple little sticker tattoos while we’re at it. I’m in love. Work is being done by Travis Hulshizer at the green gazelle is KC MO. I can’t say enough good things about him. Turkey vultures are my favorite bird and I’ve been dreaming of a large scale piece with one in it. I told him the vaguest of ideas and he delivered this. I’m SO excited. Also holy shit the back hurts 

i agree with all prior posts! i think it looks fine, you should settle your anxiety and depression and learn to live with it for a bit, and plan your next move(s).
when i saw the title of this thread, i really just wanted to add "no regerts". 😬
you're learning the lesson you were meant to learn at this moment, and you will grow from it. you survived!!!

Live with it before you do anything else. I've seen more people go from bad to worse to worser because they are in a big hurry to "fix" something. Take your time, plan it out, make sure you discuss what YOU think went wrong with your next artist, find out EXACTLY how they intend to fix it, get recommendations.
First rule of coverups - don't make it worse. Unfortunately lots of people break this rule.
I was getting a tattoo once and this woman came in with a coverup of a coverup of a coverup. When she left my artist said, "That looks like Arnold Schwarzenager climbing out of a tar pit." It was AWFUL. He did an amazing job on his coverup. You couldn't even tell it was a coverup.

Hi guys, I've been reading LST for awhile and decided to de-lurk upon receiving my second tattoo. Here it is, I'm very pleased with it:
 

We did finally finish the bat: 

Got this guy from Scott Harrison last Sunday. Aside from the dope tattoo, I also got some great stories. If you're anywhere near the PNW, you should make your way to Portland and get work from this legend before he re-retires!

Welcome to LST!
Unfortunately, there aren't many tattoo artists who frequent this forum anymore.. it's mostly collectors or folks who are new to tattooing, asking if their tattoo is healing correctly. if you want to look back at some past interactions, there are my different threads to be mined with lots of gems within.
I would say that most tattoo artist online interaction is done thru IG. I'm not sure if podcasts and youtube videos count, but if so, we can point you the right direction.  For instance, Andrew Stortz has a great podcast called "Books Closed" that often discusses "new information about what kinds of topics tattoo artists are interested in and if there are other subgroups." The latest episode is pretty hilarious, discussing tattooing as a performance art and highlighting this artist who does some cuhhhraaaayyzee shit like tattooing while playing the cello.
There are definitely different subgroups based on all the various styles and people of the world, in general. Not sure how much you already know, but a few high level styles include: traditional, new school, neo-trad, black and gray, black work, tribal, geometric, japanese, color realism, biomechanical, and many many more!
Anyways.... I hope this is a good start and I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your new tattoo.
 

Thanks! 
It's definitely something to feel proud of, but some days you do just wanna go home 😂 other sessions are more manageable. I think you pretty much have to mentally hear that death march in your head when you walk in, and expect it to be the worst pain ever and then it wont be so bad. You can't ever approach a session feeling good about it, cause you will get your arse handed to you ha ha.

Hey guys,
Reviving the full back piece experience thread.
So I had never been tattooed before and last year I decided to dive in for my first one and begin my traditional Japanese full back, (cause if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly right 😂) The tattooer is Matt Collins at Unseen in Adelaide. I know I don’t have anything to compare it to, but having read this thread I know what you all say about full backs is 100% true, it is damn hard work.
We’ve just completed all of the background and that last session shading in rocks over the tailbone was definitely brutal. About 20 ish hours in I think. I love the finished product though, and can’t wait to see the cranes and leaves once we get into those, mostly black and grey with some red on leaves and cranes heads, haven’t decided on the omamori design yet.
 

Welcome to LST!
Unfortunately, there aren't many tattoo artists who frequent this forum anymore.. it's mostly collectors or folks who are new to tattooing, asking if their tattoo is healing correctly. if you want to look back at some past interactions, there are my different threads to be mined with lots of gems within.
I would say that most tattoo artist online interaction is done thru IG. I'm not sure if podcasts and youtube videos count, but if so, we can point you the right direction.  For instance, Andrew Stortz has a great podcast called "Books Closed" that often discusses "new information about what kinds of topics tattoo artists are interested in and if there are other subgroups." The latest episode is pretty hilarious, discussing tattooing as a performance art and highlighting this artist who does some cuhhhraaaayyzee shit like tattooing while playing the cello.
There are definitely different subgroups based on all the various styles and people of the world, in general. Not sure how much you already know, but a few high level styles include: traditional, new school, neo-trad, black and gray, black work, tribal, geometric, japanese, color realism, biomechanical, and many many more!
Anyways.... I hope this is a good start and I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your new tattoo.