JAC1961

Ya... that's pretty bad.  I think I'd go to someone that specializes in cover ups and talk to them.  And for the love of God, never go back to that "artist".

Was that done in a shop?

4 hours ago, Ssobel said:

She want's pinup style...I guess I'll start my search!

Just a suggestion, try Instagram and Pintrest.  You should be able to kind a good selection.

If the first artist says anything about it, reply, "screw you".

Your money, spend it how and where you like. If the first is the shop owner or co-owner he's getting a cut anyway. I have a lot of respect for artists, but they're not the end all, be all.

Great subject.  I really enjoy a talkative, friendly artist.  I really enjoying talking to the artist while they work, it really helps keep my mind off the pain and makes the time fly by.  I also like getting to know someone with completely different skills and abilities than I could ever hope to have.  That being said, I guess if I had that choice, I'd take the quality work.  The artist that did my japanese half sleeve told me during the consultation that he doesn't like to chat while he works, preferring to concentrate on what he's doing.  At first I was a little put off, but he was friendly and chatted while putting on the stencil and sketching.  I appreciated his committed attitude and his work is the best that I've gotten so far.

Music. I've been listening to indie folk and bluegrass on Spotify lately... Dead South, Trampled by Turtles, Colter Wall, The Devil makes Three, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, The Bridge City Sinners, etc.  When I'm feeling especially neanderthalic I listen to Heilung.

First, you have to let it heal and see what it looks like when it's settled.  Secondly, it's such a minor difference that no one but you would ever notice it.  If it really bothers you, you can of course have it touched up, but I say just let it go and enjoy it the way it is.

30 minutes ago, Hogrider said:

This may be a bit over the top. It may not be a great tattoo, but I wouldn't be embarrassed to show it off. If anyone has the ill manners to say anything, you can just say it's not finished, no need to explain further.

Considering so many disasters I've seen, this doesn't even make the top 75% of bad tattoos. Just my opinion, but I'd try to find something you like about it and focus on that while you are healing and finding someone to rework it.

I would remind you that many of the people on this forum have extremely high expectations (as they should). For the average person on the street, you have a bad ass tattoo. Please try to remember that.

Good luck

Glad you said it, because I didn't feel I had enough tattoo experience to say the same. A couple of my tattoos fall into this category and that's cool. Everyone else doesn't have to love em, just me.

3 hours ago, Gingerninja said:

Just remember to keep it super clean. 

That's my thought too. Sweat sure wouldn't hurt anything... everybody else's bacteria would.

3 hours ago, Dabbott said:

I’m sorry I’m not his artist , but I hate people like him 

If you are his artist you need to grow a set and not be a puss-wad troll. If you're not, he came here and ask for people's opinions and they gave them, not really your concern.

At this point I'd say you two need to resolve this person to person and not make it an internet pissing contest. Just my 2 cents.

33 minutes ago, Dabbott said:

That is correct that you can not go over on the fresh tattoo and do something else . The tattoo has to be healed first then you can work on it . Every tattoo artist will agree with that . If you had just 2 sessions and you are going to get another one to put everything toghether you shouldn’t slag off the artist because that is very unfair . The tattoo looks amazing so far and it is not finished yet I would suggest not to worry to much especially if you need to stilll catty on and they should by finished off as one piece . One thing I know as tattooed person and artist lover that is very rude to slag of your artist online while he done great work for you in such a short time I would consider that more 

∆∆∆ Evidently his artist. 😆😜

My way of thinking is it's better to put a little lotion on during the itchy stage than to forget the start scratching at it.

18 minutes ago, AverageJer said:

Done by Doug Hardy at Aloha Monkey near Minneapolis. 

So, did it hurt? lol

Looks awesome. A dragon is definitely on my list.

1 hour ago, Alex mikec said:

 do you think it’s ok?

Like @Hogridersaid, there's no way to be sure until it completely heals, 4-6 weeks. Calm down and wait, even if it's the world's worst, there's nothing to do at this point.

I did a little Googling and there seems to be quite a bit of info about it.  Here's just one.

Please be careful, no tattoo is worth risking your health.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but there's an old saying... "you can't polish a turd."  Maybe it'd best to just let it go, mark it up experience and get what you really want from a good artist on a different location.

Welcome.  Letting everyone know where you're located might enable someone to recommend a good artist near you.  Educating yourself is the best defense against getting bad tattoos.

Howdy!  Please post up pics of your progress.

Welcome.  That's gotta be the best story for a simple tattoo ever.  Sorry for your loss.

Yep, too early to tell. Also your pic needs to be better for anyone to see what's going on.

Welcome 👋

Hell yes. Very cool.

Welcome and enjoy.

Sorry that you have to go thru all that.  It'll be really interesting to see how it progresses and a good example for others considering the same.  Thanks for sharing.

Your body, your tattoos, if you like it, it works!

Welcome.

You could have just asked your question in this thread.  People would read and answer here too.

My suggestion is to not get something you really, really want as your very first tattoo unless of course you're 100% sure that's the only one you'll ever get.  You might want to pick out something small that you like and get that just to test the waters.  That way you can learn about the experience, artist, after care, etc. and not feel like it's a life or death deal.  There is a definite learning curve and in my experience it takes a couple times to feel comfortable with it... or that's just me.

Welcome too.

I'd love to be closer to someone like that to get an extraordinary Japanese peice.

I've never experienced it either, though I only have a grand total of 4.  I might occasionally notice and lament small details or imperfect lines, but as a whole, I don't regret any.  There's too many important things in life that really do require regret and loss of sleep... tattoos are just for fun.