scottyg

It's a bendy place with thin skin. I personally wouldn't put something as structured as text in that spot, but yours is NOT bad. It will spread out over time to some extent. Don't freak out. That's just what tattoos do.
I don't have any perfect tattoos if you REALLY zoom in on them, but only very very rarely is anyone that close to my tattooed skin. The best way to distract the eye is more tattoos :)

if you follow Jeff Rassier on IG, then you may have seen the four little fillers i got from him on Saturday. he drew them all directly on skin, so each one fits its spot perfectly.

Changes to make the white background options better from a design perspective: simplify. Take out any extra elements, don't have so much overlap in your elements (for example, you've got places where there's a paint smudge, flag, skull and lettering together. Lights and darks need to be more pronounced (for example the black letters on red stripes are going to be hard to read, especially when they're blurry like the greek(?) or interspersed with white letters/white stripes. I don't care who your artist is, that many layers of transparency is tough for my printer to deal with much less your artist to reproduce. If you're sold on all those elements, take out the paint streaks and flag streaks. If you want the flag, add in like the other pic where it's separate. And make the lettering more cohesive. If you want paint smudges around the edge, let the artist add them in where it will best suit your design and body shape.

The arm design has the simplicity I'm talking about, one central element with readable text, and assorted design bits for emphasis surrounding the central element. I'm not a huge fan of the trash polka style, but I can see the design which makes it better designed.

Your skin, your choice, but you run a real risk of needing to cover with a black panther in a year or two if it doesn't work.

(Sorry for the run-on! I'm relatively new to the world of tattoos but have been doing graphic design for years)


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When life gives you lemons...
Andy Northup @ All Star Tattoo
 

@Mr_T
I'm no dermatologist, but it looks like either you're putting waaay too much lotion on it, and that's causing the breakouts (pores are clogged), or it's an infection.
I really think you're just overdoing it on the lotion, but I don't know.
Second opinion, anyone?

that redness and warmness shouldn't still be there a week afterwards. might be infected, aside from them digging into you pretty good. 

I bruise like that sometimes, but it doesn't still feel warm a week out. I think it is worth asking about. You're not complaining, don't think of it that way. You have a valid concern.

If you want to get a big piece, why don't you go for a big composed piece, instead of what looks like four one-shot tattoos?  I have both - one arm is a bunch of stickers, and one arm is one complete tattoo, and I like both, but I'd not try to put on a bunch of flash sized bangers all at once.
They are too close together right now. They either need space or flow.

Before going to talk to the artist you might consider going to talk to a doctor. 

They're too close together right now to read as 4 separate tattoos, they just look like one big messy tattoo. I would say either eliminate some aspects of the design so it's more simplified or spread the tattoos out more, maybe with some filler designs, so they look like they're meant to be separate. 

When in doubt: tip. Even if it isn't the full 15-20%, an extra $20 or a gift (if you know the artist well enough) will always be appreciated. It shows extra gratitude and helps create a good relationship. Can't ever hurt to offer it at least.

it looks like 4 different tattoos

@Rob I @scottyg thank y'all so much for your input. I'm taking everything in consideration so that way my tattoo will come out better to its full potential. Glad y'all can help out. 

@MrToast Dude, I don't think anyone has opinions about skinny guys with tattoos other than if you rock it it'll look great. You sound really self conscious, but the tattoo will be empowering.
Yes, I think part of being a good tattooer is bringing out the strengths of the canvas.
Good Luck.

@Mr_T
I'm no dermatologist, but it looks like either you're putting waaay too much lotion on it, and that's causing the breakouts (pores are clogged), or it's an infection.
I really think you're just overdoing it on the lotion, but I don't know.
Second opinion, anyone?

Agree with above. Could also be ingrown hairs caused by initial shaving and way too much lotion clogging pores. Keep it dry for a while 

The great thing about that "pattern" is that you and the artist could build, start and stop it to fit any body part and shape. The key is going to be finding the right artist, and there are plenty who already specialize in geometric pattern work. 

Not really any such thing as a "quarter sleeve." It's just a tattoo. ;-)
No one minds if you are skinny or fat. Just get a tattoo and enjoy it.

Thanks, I have already had a consultation and am booked in for August


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@MrToast Dude, I don't think anyone has opinions about skinny guys with tattoos other than if you rock it it'll look great. You sound really self conscious, but the tattoo will be empowering.
Yes, I think part of being a good tattooer is bringing out the strengths of the canvas.
Good Luck.

Awesome progress! Only 2 1/2 month between last pic and this? Holy crap...
 
How many hours so far for the backpiece?

Progress report
 
 

get an upside down cross ... because the tattoo is for you :p

Just don't get a burning cross....

I see zero scabbing. Tattoos can feel raised for a while. They are not fully healed for about 6 weeks and then take months to settle in.  I don't see anything of concern