JAC1961

A lot of my experiences have been with people who are heads down and quiet.  I can take the lacking conversation in exchange for wearing a better piece of art for the rest of my life time. Kiku is the only person I had a good time with and got a good tattoo from, we took a lot longer to do the tattoo but came away having much more fun.  I always book with the end product in mind, I can't form an interesting conversation during the experience anyways, I'm concentrating on not dying.

Hand tattoos are notorious for not lasting well. The skin is thicker making application more difficult and hands see so much use and movement making the ink fade quicker.
As fine as those lines are I'm betting it will be in bad shape in just a couple years.

Hand tattoos are notorious for not lasting well. The skin is thicker making application more difficult and hands see so much use and movement making the ink fade quicker.
As fine as those lines are I'm betting it will be in bad shape in just a couple years.

Another way to look at it: shit happens.

1. it takes 4 - 6 weeks to heal, so you won't know what it's going to look like until then
2. it likely is an easy touch-up
3. you should listen to you tattoo artist

You're getting serious thoughts and advice, you just don't like what you are hearing.

4 th session done
Some lines dont look straight its because of the muscle underneath

Everyone has told you that it looks nice and it really does. Look thru some of the other threads, people here will tell you when they think your artist didn't do a good job. You just have to relax and stop second guessing everything.  It's as realistic as a tattoo of a rose can get.  Chill out and try to enjoy it.

Maybe the newbies should remember the stated purpose of this website. "The mission of this website is to help preserve the craft of GOOD tattooing and to serve as an educational resource for those who want to learn the difference between good and bad tattoos."
In some cases that means telling people what they DON'T want to hear.

I don't really care, I like my tattoos ! Every single one of them. And that is all that matters.  At this point in my life, if someone doesn't like me simply because I am a tattooed person they can go f*ck themselves and frankly I don't have time or want to know them (family included). I choose to express myself the way I have - take it or leave it...
Now if someone wants to get up in my face and insult me about my tattoos (or be rude in general), well you can guess what kind of response they would receive from me...
----really, the majority of people - friends and strangers - have been incredibly positive towards my tattoo expression.
I have the odd conservative person look a bit queasy because of the pain you would assume from some of the nastier spots, but I just smile and laugh. The dumbest comments I have received are along the lines of money ie "how much did that cost" (which I will never answer, I just respond by telling them that is rude) or "that is a waste of money" which I just roll my eyes and end the conversation. It's my money to spend freely and my body my choice...I can guarantee my awesome bodysuit collection did not cost as much as their ugly truck/SUV or cocaine habit haha 😉 

1. Someone makes a comment to me about how dumb tattoos are while staring at my tattoos
2. I tell them they are memorial tattoos for all the family I have lost
3. Person looks horrified, tries to think of something to say
4. I drop the mic and walk away

Never any comments, just disapproving looks. Some family members have commented, but generally just busting my chops or telling me how little my mom would have liked them.
I'd take no crap from a stranger and promptly tell them to get bent.

You've got this, piece of cake.
I was taught several years ago the technique of "belly breathing". On the inhale you push your stomach outward fully. The idea being that your diaphragm drops further, pulling air more deeply into your lungs. It seems odd at first, but is easy to get the hang of. It really helps relieve stress. Do it slowly, concentrating on each breathe.
Good luck! 👍

Ok here is a picture, im really happy with it,, crappy camera

Had the tattoo just now, took about one hour.
Woke up. Had some toast, then my meds, then some cerial, then a breakfast bar, then sipped on non fizzy energy drink all through the session.
No dizziness or anything unusual.
 
Will post pics of tattoo later 🙂

You've got this, piece of cake.
I was taught several years ago the technique of "belly breathing". On the inhale you push your stomach outward fully. The idea being that your diaphragm drops further, pulling air more deeply into your lungs. It seems odd at first, but is easy to get the hang of. It really helps relieve stress. Do it slowly, concentrating on each breathe.
Good luck! 👍

You've got this, piece of cake.
I was taught several years ago the technique of "belly breathing". On the inhale you push your stomach outward fully. The idea being that your diaphragm drops further, pulling air more deeply into your lungs. It seems odd at first, but is easy to get the hang of. It really helps relieve stress. Do it slowly, concentrating on each breathe.
Good luck! 👍

Got my next one tomorrow, will be a bigger piece.
Early night, big bowl of cerial, few breakfast bars, and sip on an energy drink before and during. Most importantly deep breathing.
Hope it goes ok

Actually it won't be really circular.

 

Update - awesome time in Belgium and France !
Got to meet my LST penpal danceswithferrets in-person. Him and his wife showed me a wonderful time in Leuven and we had a really awesome tattoo exchange, including this photo op:

 
I enjoyed Belgian sites and people (and beer!) so much that I headed back to Bruxelles after the Southern France wedding for my remaining days.
Met some cool people by chance (one of which was a tattooist) within 5 minutes of leaving my airbnb...got this gothic skull blastover made by my new pal Taul Tattoo at his Atome22 Studio:

 
And spent my last day in Bruxelles at the world class Purple Sun Tattoo:
Hand poked finger dangler by Indy Voet

 
and this incredibly powerful tattoo from Jean-Philippe Burton
 
As an added bonus I got to see the Wim Delvoye exhibit at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium and see Jamie the tattooed pig from Art Farm and the Cloaca shit machine !

 
Very grateful for the experiences the universe and tattoo-karma provided me throughout this trip. It was a spiritual awakening of sorts. Highly recommend Bruxelles and Belgium, I can't wait to go back 🙂
 

I always think it's best to get a simple tattoo as your first and save the large/special meaning one for later. Take it slow, learn the ropes and make sure you know about the process before jumping into a big one. Just my 2 cents.

Ummm... nope and nope.  Your eyes are just way too precious to take any chance with something like that.  Besides, the appearance just creeps me the hell out.  To me, some of the main reasons for getting tattoos is the the art, beauty and the individualism and blackout tattoos has none of that.  I of course don't care if others get them, but just find no appeal in them.

I always think it's best to get a simple tattoo as your first and save the large/special meaning one for later. Take it slow, learn the ropes and make sure you know about the process before jumping into a big one. Just my 2 cents.

That kind of thing that I'd work out with your artist. I'm in no way artistic and besides, my tastes may be drastically different than yours.

Good! Glad someone else said it so I didn't have to! 🤣