DJDeepFried

Aw, don't do that, @Kracov. It's a very common question – and hopefully we gave you the right answer, which others can learn from too.

Aw, don't do that, @Kracov. It's a very common question – and hopefully we gave you the right answer, which others can learn from too.

Sorry, no smoke-blowing here!

That'll be $1200


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You may be able to find someone to tattoo one of your smaller designs on you, but a full back piece? No way. And by that I mean they'll take your money, but they aren't going to be very passionate about it. The best tattoo artists in the world don't get their own designs tattooed on them. They seek out the artists who they admire and respect, and let them do their thing. You'd be wise to do the same. You'll get a better tattoo and have a better experience if you approach it this way.

I'm saying that the best back pieces – in my opinion, not as a tattoo artist, but an enthusiast – are one bold, cohesive image, whereas your design has a little too much going on for my taste. A great artist can take your basic idea – say, a horned demon with a battleax on a pyramid of skulls – and make it fucking amazing. I think you have to let go of the idea of your art being on your body, and not because I think you're a bad artist, but because tattooing is such a complicated and specialized art form with its own set of rules and techniques that are different from every other art form that you need to find someone who has devoted their life to the craft. I know that involves a lot of trust, but that's my advice. Don't worry about having something "unique." It's a one-of-a-kind, handmade piece of art that exists only on your body so it's going to be unique and it's going to be yours because it's on you. In the meantime, keep working on your own art with pencils, charcoal, paint or whatever and leave the tattooing to the tattooers.
P.S.: Just as a starting point: https://www.google.com/search?q=filip+leu+back+piece&num=20&biw=1275&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis15u6s7vPAhVIHGMKHe0UBOoQ_AUICCgB

That'll be $1200


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Yeah, this has been coming up a lot. Calls for caps lock I think.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DESIGN YOUR OWN TATTOO.

YOU SHOULD NOT DESIGN YOUR OWN TATTOO.


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That'll be $1200


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That'll be $1200


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i think this one wins the prize for "someone who doesn't actually want tattoos" tattoo. 
 

Tattoos for people who don't like tattoos. But seriously if you just want to dip your toe in the water get something small in a small area: wrist, ankle, etc. No hands or neck, please.


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Tattoos for people who don't like tattoos. But seriously if you just want to dip your toe in the water get something small in a small area: wrist, ankle, etc. No hands or neck, please.


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Tattoos for people who don't like tattoos. But seriously if you just want to dip your toe in the water get something small in a small area: wrist, ankle, etc. No hands or neck, please.


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Not a big fan of the no outline tattoo. Conventional wisdom is that they don't age well. Something to consider. If you tell us where you live maybe we can suggest someone in your area.


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Heel, sure


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Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to join. At the moment I have only one tattoo (just got it 6 days ago) but plan on getting many more. I like mainly American Traditional (Sailor Jerry) tattoos.
 
 

Not a big fan of the no outline tattoo. Conventional wisdom is that they don't age well. Something to consider. If you tell us where you live maybe we can suggest someone in your area.


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I'm saying that the best back pieces – in my opinion, not as a tattoo artist, but an enthusiast – are one bold, cohesive image, whereas your design has a little too much going on for my taste. A great artist can take your basic idea – say, a horned demon with a battleax on a pyramid of skulls – and make it fucking amazing. I think you have to let go of the idea of your art being on your body, and not because I think you're a bad artist, but because tattooing is such a complicated and specialized art form with its own set of rules and techniques that are different from every other art form that you need to find someone who has devoted their life to the craft. I know that involves a lot of trust, but that's my advice. Don't worry about having something "unique." It's a one-of-a-kind, handmade piece of art that exists only on your body so it's going to be unique and it's going to be yours because it's on you. In the meantime, keep working on your own art with pencils, charcoal, paint or whatever and leave the tattooing to the tattooers.
P.S.: Just as a starting point: https://www.google.com/search?q=filip+leu+back+piece&num=20&biw=1275&bih=761&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis15u6s7vPAhVIHGMKHe0UBOoQ_AUICCgB

You may be able to find someone to tattoo one of your smaller designs on you, but a full back piece? No way. And by that I mean they'll take your money, but they aren't going to be very passionate about it. The best tattoo artists in the world don't get their own designs tattooed on them. They seek out the artists who they admire and respect, and let them do their thing. You'd be wise to do the same. You'll get a better tattoo and have a better experience if you approach it this way.

You may be able to find someone to tattoo one of your smaller designs on you, but a full back piece? No way. And by that I mean they'll take your money, but they aren't going to be very passionate about it. The best tattoo artists in the world don't get their own designs tattooed on them. They seek out the artists who they admire and respect, and let them do their thing. You'd be wise to do the same. You'll get a better tattoo and have a better experience if you approach it this way.

You may be able to find someone to tattoo one of your smaller designs on you, but a full back piece? No way. And by that I mean they'll take your money, but they aren't going to be very passionate about it. The best tattoo artists in the world don't get their own designs tattooed on them. They seek out the artists who they admire and respect, and let them do their thing. You'd be wise to do the same. You'll get a better tattoo and have a better experience if you approach it this way.

Not a big fan of the no outline tattoo. Conventional wisdom is that they don't age well. Something to consider. If you tell us where you live maybe we can suggest someone in your area.


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Japanese dragon sleeve by Scott Ellis is finished!
 

FINALLY, I can strike a name from The List.
Mark Mahoney did this rose when he came to Jersey. 
Yes, shitty cell phone pic.  You know what's up.