Freddie

Thanks man :D I like the fact its unusual style, it was funny because the stencil looked totally different, I lay down and he starts buzzing, 5 hours later it looks like this haha but i'm happy with it so that's what counts.
As for your fluid build up, I had a similar thing in the dense areas where the lines cross, but i left it overnight and it dried up underneath the Saniderm. Although yours does sounds more severe.

Btw...I think you're tattoo came out great! I really looks a lot like the original sketch you posted

Well, the Saniderm was brilliant in my experience! Did it hurt to take off? Yes. But worth it for the comfort and the completely stress free first few days. don't have to moisturise, or anti bac or leak on the sheets ect... it was great.
I applied about 4 Hours after tattoo after id had a shower to wash the blood and goop off, didnt touch it for 4 days. Took it off, had 3 days of very light peeling, didn't even notice any flakes in clothes and it mostly came off in shower.
All sorted :D 

Another Commencement ceremony is in the books!! I absolutely love this day every year!!! Knowing that I'm going to retire in 3 years is bittersweet - only 3 more of these ceremonies left for me to enjoy.
We had the rehearsal on Friday - and we all dress casually since were busy and walking around the college all day. It was hot so I opted to wear a sleeveless shirt under a short sleeve button down shirt. The gym was not yet cooled down so right before we started I pulled off my outer shirt. I heard the immediate conversations start from the students and then cheers and clapping - lots of the students had on clothing that showed their ink and I got lots of smiles and comments as they came up to practice receiving their diplomas.
 

Well, I wrapped it up in saniderm, my main driving force for this was that where I'm living at the moment hasn't no got the perfect hygiene so this will keep it as clean as possible

Well, I wrapped it up in saniderm, my main driving force for this was that where I'm living at the moment hasn't no got the perfect hygiene so this will keep it as clean as possible

If it's your first tattoo, don't use the numbing cream. 
Rib tattoo is intense, but being your first you won't know any differently. So take the above advice above about preparing your mind and body for the tattoo and you will be fine! If you really are a bit anxious, have a shot or two of liquor to calm your nerves and take it like a champ.
Numbing cream is becoming more popular and accessible these days. I'm talking about the high concentration shit that makes you feel nothing, not a light bactine spray or some booze to take the edge off and get you through the hump.
People want the tattoo but they don't want to work for it. I don't agree with that because part of the spiritual power of the tattoo comes from earning it, a rite of passage. I do think it has its place for some of the very challenging spots to keep both you and the tattooers momentum going on a big tattoo session.
Also, FYI if a strong concentration of topical anesthetic cream is applied incorrectly i.e. left on for too long, too much on the body it can be absorbed into the bloodstream and toxic to your system. You risk a trip to the hospital for health complications. I've heard several stories like this where too much is used and next thing the session is cut short and buddy's in a taxi to the hospital cause his vision suddenly went blurry or the heart starts beating irregularly. 
Tattooing isn't supposed to be a sunny time on the beach, it is raw and unapologetic and to many of us that is what the beauty and attraction of what a tattoo is. My $0.02

Fuckers, stealing tools is low, rob a bank fine but take a mans tools and you take away how he feeds his family...
Anyway I love Griffins, don't forget to chuck up some photos once you have a design I want to see it haha

finally had my consultation today. Booked for halfway may. i was planning to do this tattoo sooner but $2000 worth of tools go stolen last year so my tattoo budget was gone. Finally getting this griffin calf piece done

What sort of jobs are you applying for where this would be a problem?
You can always wear long sleeves until they hire you and then it's illegal to fire you later if you choose to reveal it. If you love it like you say you do then why change it? It's your life!

This is great advice thanks Dan!

Just put a circle around it and add "Motley Crue"....then you're golden.

That is super weird but awesome at the same time haha thanks man, I hope it will look even better in real life I'm stoked! :D

OK thanks man, as long as i'm not laughed out the shop for taking in something so stupid i'll be happy haha

I think the image looks interesting and depending on the style and tattoo it could look great!  Ultimately, compare a lot of artists work, then go with one who has done something in a style that resembles what you are going for. Show them the picture, explain what visually you like most about the image and see if they can replicate it. In my recent case, the artist told me my image wouldn't translate well as a tattoo. He drew up something pretty different but it looked really good so I got it. 

The human race is doomed

OK thanks man, as long as i'm not laughed out the shop for taking in something so stupid i'll be happy haha

Have you decided on an artist to do it yet? I know it's not exactly like the sketch you posted, but maybe you could look into some of that "dark"-ish stuff that guys like fx. Ien Levin (Kiev) and Rob Borbas (Budapest) does..?
I guess there's a ton of people doing that style around the world, those were just the two that crossed my mind, since you're located in Kiev right now..

Bring this image to a good shop and tell them that you like it but you also want to make sure you get a tattoo that works as a tattoo and then show us the cool tattoo you end up with. 

im going to be the grumpy old curmudgeon who offers nothing to the thread on topic save for mentioning my absolute hatred of the term plainskin. My friend Shannon tried to start that as a phrase years ago, not sure if this is the ripple from that, but its like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
Sorry for interrupting.

That is not a mistake I intend to make. This is not my trade, if I tell someone a piece of industrial equipment is broken or unsafe, I expect them to suck it up and piss off (I'm an engineer). If an artist tells me it cant be done or it will look terrible in a few years, then I'm going to listen and behave accordingly.
At the moment I'm in Ukraine, but I'm somewhat of a Nomad at the moment, I guess the pro is I'm willing to travel countries to find an artist if I need to. But the con is I've learned on here that I cant really get judged by an artist just by email and I'm never anywhere for very long. 
I think I'll make a thread about it tomorrow with some pictures, it always paints a better picture!

That is not a mistake I intend to make. This is not my trade, if I tell someone a piece of industrial equipment is broken or unsafe, I expect them to suck it up and piss off (I'm an engineer). If an artist tells me it cant be done or it will look terrible in a few years, then I'm going to listen and behave accordingly.
At the moment I'm in Ukraine, but I'm somewhat of a Nomad at the moment, I guess the pro is I'm willing to travel countries to find an artist if I need to. But the con is I've learned on here that I cant really get judged by an artist just by email and I'm never anywhere for very long. 
I think I'll make a thread about it tomorrow with some pictures, it always paints a better picture!

Does a heavy metal detox include not listening to Slayer for 10 days? :)

It's looking mega mate! Keep the pictures coming after next session! :D