JAC1961

That's really nice. Think I'd leave it as is, I'd be afraid something else would detract from it.  Got more free space?  Move on to another area.

Just pick things you like and go to an artist that is capable of fitting the image to the available space.  Some are extremely good at it and others are not.

Difficult for us to tell from a single photo, but it looks to me like just an area of loose skin.

Warriors and Gangs of New York are both iconic movies IMHO and I don't think you'd go wrong with either. Bill would probably be recognized by more people since it's a newer flick... if that kind of thing matters to you.

Holy Christ, that's nothing to mess with.  Don't know where you're at, but that's the kind of thing that a local health department wants to know about.  Whether you got it at the shop or had it before and took it to the shop they should know, have testing done and cleaned to hell and back.

I don't think I can go on until I see it. 🤪

2 hours ago, deckerisareplicant said:

I feel make people wonder about me.

Screw what people think about your tattoos. That's one of the biggest reasons that I started getting tattooed, I put up my entire life listening to people judge me and I decided that I was done with.  Accept me tattoos and all or go F yourself.

At this point you're really just wasting your time and ours.

Besides, it's tacky for your first post on a forum to be asking for $.

It looks fine as is, don't worry about it.  Every tattoo deforms as the skin moves, not much you can do about it.  I think artists do what they can to compensate for it, but you can't make it perfect in every position.

Enjoy it and start planning your next one.

I understand what you're saying about being shy and starting here isn't a bad idea, but you're going to have to talk to artists (def. more than one).  You'll have to pick someone with past experience and doesn't just sugar coat things to get the work.  If you don't you'll just end up with an even bigger mess.

Probably 10 to 15 hours, but there's so many different things that can affect it.  Best to find an artist who's work you like and has a good reputation, go for a consult and go with their estimate.  Don't price shop.  It's tacky and never results in the best quality tattoo.

Yay, if you want to tattoo, do it the right and get an apprenticeship. If not, just get tattooed.

My recommendation is to not start with a major piece.  Pick out the artist you like and get a small/medium size piece.  That way you learn the process and find out if the artist is all you wanted.  Better to be disappointed with that than a huge one that you really want.

Tattoos are just like people, they fade from the moment they're created.

It looks fine.  Enjoy it and plan your next one.

18 minutes ago, JessCharette said:

This is not a forum for insulting beginners either🤠 Next time when you don’t have anything constructive to say just don’t say anything at all! xx 

Go read the forum rules. This is not a place to teach people how to tattoo.

Yes, it is a common phenomenon. It's a common question here. Take a breath and relax, it will pass.

I follow quite a few local shops on social media along with others that I'd some day like to travel to and in the last week I'm seeing a reoccurring theme.  The lock down of tattoo shops in many states is quickly causing financial problems for the shop owners and tattooers.  Many are selling merch and paintings or prints and offering to do commissioned artwork.  The shop that I've gone to the most is selling gift cards to carry them thru this lean times.

I realize many collectors are also laid off or facing reduced hours, but if you are in a position to help consider throwing a little something their way.  It'd be a shame to lose a bunch of good shops and artists that we'll be wanting and needing when this whole nightmare is over.

And it seems to me since you questioned the artist multiple times, you must have already known that you shouldn't do it.  That puts at least 50% of the responsibility on you.

17 minutes ago, Hogrider said:

Yea, my artist's shop isn't closing but he's asking people not to come in if they are sick.

Funny thing is, I'd feel safer going to any tattoo shop that I've ever been to compared to the vast majority of restaurants or stores.

9 minutes ago, Gingerninja said:

Gah...hoping that my appointments can still go on next month in NYC. #covid19

A lot of shops around here have just started announcing today that they're closing. The average seems to be until April 1, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's longer.

My 2 cents. 3 koi are too much. They'd be so small they'd lose their detail and look amateurish. If you're really set on having 3, consider moving it to your leg.

Most important, if you really want it to turn out well, go to an artist that has studied Japanese tattoos and understands how they are to designed. Don't just go to someone who has "done a few".

Here's a small one I got yesterday. It's a snail warrior, a symbol of the band Heilung. They play music derived from pre-viking northern tribes. Very ancestral.

Anyone have some tips or link to taking decent photos of tattoos?  Taking pics on extremities with their cylindrical shape is giving me fits.

In my experience, treat a tattooer like any other business owner.  Work with them, don't cop an attitude, and remember that they are the experts.  Be understanding and everything will work out fine.

BTW, you can't start a new thread in any other section until you have 10 posts... I think, lol.