Blank

I still have to figure out what I want. I want something Marine Corps/patriotic themed, but I don't just want a standard "USMC" or just an EGA all by itself. I want to incorporate a few images together like an EGA, a panther and a cool eagle with a flag in the background. I might be pricing myself out of my budget.

Great stuff. Thanks! I've been looking at local shops on line that have been recommended here. I really like Guru so far. Champ's work really impressed me. I think I'll shoot him an e-mail and see what happens. The piece I'm covering is pretty small and faded.

Good advice. I don't plan to try to haggle the artist. I want quality over quantity, so I'd prefer a superior smaller tattoo over a larger crappy one.

Finally got 10 posts and can start my own threads, hooray! Here's my story and hopefully you guys can give me some advice. I already have two smal tattoos, both your standard Marine Corps style. One is a bulldog head on my chest and the other is a USMC on my shoulder (I posted pictures in my Introduction thread). Nothing spectacular, just your standard walk-in grab it off the wall generic tattoos. I want to get something more elaborate n my shoulder, probably about 6X6 inches. Here are my questions: 1. I'd be covering up my lame "USMC" tattoo with a better Marine-themed tattoo, is that a more difficult process than starting with a blank space? 2. I want something unique. How much work can I expect a tattooer (is that the correct term) to put in to designing something for me? When I got my first tattoo, the guy made it seem like a huge hassel to have him come up with something unique. He said it would cost about $150 just for the artwork design...and that was 1994, just to do lettering. I have to keep this new tattoo within about a $200 budget. My brother's wife is graphic designer, could I save some money if she designed something or do tattooers prefer to design their own stuff? 3. Speaking of budget, are certain tattoos quicker and less expensive to do? I'm guessing that a realistic eagle tattoo with tons of detail would take longer than a Ed Hardy style eagle. Is that the case? 4. If I'm looking at about a $200 tattoo, how much time do you think a tattooer will be willing to spend with me discussing options? I know they are busy people and don't want to wast anyone's time or keep him/her from other business. I hope I don't sound like a cheap-skate, but I really don't have an unlimited budget and the wife isn't exactly 100% behind this decision (but she is coming around). I have a lot more questions to ask, but I'll save them for other threads. Thanks.

Holy shit! That picture of the blisters is freaking gnarly. Ouch!

That is a sweet panther you have.

I'm in San Diego. My plan is to get something that covers my entire deltoid about 6"X6", but I don't want just one thing like one eagle or one "USMC". I posted some of my favorite eagle tattoos in the eagle thread.

I really like these eagles. Would like to mix one of these with a cool panther into a Marine Corps tattoo.

Really digging these panther tattoos. Here are some of my favorites. I know they are pretty generic, but I like them. Trying to figure out how to incorporate one into a Marine Corps tattoo.

Here are my two tattoos. Your standard, generic bulldog on my chest. Even though it's nothing real special, I really like it and the artist did a great job on it. The USMC is also right off the shop wall, but I have never seen another like it. I have it on my right shoulder. Sorry for the crap photo quality. Yes, I need to get some sun.

Thanks! Took a look at the Guru site. I really like Champ's work.

Thanks! Took a look at the Guru site. I really like Champ's work.

Tammy, thanks. I live in the San Diego area. If anyone has suggestions, particularly in the North County area it would be appreciated. Thanks.

Second post for me. Can't start another thread yet. I really liked the show. Yes, it was hokey and the drama was dumb and they didn't show much of the actual artwork being done...but holy hell does it have me motivated to get another tattoo. I would love to get something elaborate like the stuff they did, but I'm a little concerned because some of the work on the show was just crap. I am no tattoo expert, but even I could tell that some of those guys were not great. And if those artists are supposed to be some of the best in the business, what kind of quality can I expect from my local shop? Just like every "reality" competition show, I'm sure follow-on season will have better talent. Since I can't start my own thread yet, can anyone recommend a good shop in the San Diego/North County area?

Hello all, First post. Wanted to drop in and look around. I have a couple of small, simple tattoos...both generic USMC types right off the shop wall. I know this might sound really dumb, but I really got in to the Ink Masters show and it has me itching to get something more grand. I know the show was goofy and at times quite pitiful, but every time I watched it all I kept thinking about was getting another tattoo. I'll be retiring from the Marines later this year and I want to mark the occasion with something more elaborate than what I already have. But this time I want to take my time, find the perfect design and select the perfect artist. Thought I'd join this group and hopefully learn a thing or two.