Dennis

We always open gifts on Christmas Eve. The parents and wife know where it is at! I'm pumped!

Not mine, but great to see Kore Flatmo posting again, it's been close to a year!

Done by Ed in 1979! GOD DAMN!!!!!!!

I had to have some of my back re-lined, including all the area that had originally been lasered. Apparently even 4-6 months after the final treatments some of the new ink continues to disperse.
On the other hand, it didn't bother me at all. I'd rather have lining any day instead of shading . . .

I've always loved this dragon by Filip Leu. The scales are so delicate, smooth, and flawless. I wish I could find another picture of it!

Done by Ed in 1979! GOD DAMN!!!!!!!

Not mine, but great to see Kore Flatmo posting again, it's been close to a year!

Chipped away a few more hours on my back. I think we're pretty much done the black shading, I think there's some greys to do in the water still, we still have to figure out the scales or patterns on the snake, but we're making progress.
All work, as always, by Dave Cummings of PSC Tattoo.

Had a few hours on my back yesterday. Worked on background was a good session, everyone at Sugarahack is so friendly.
I had a chance to listen to the first couple episodes of the serial podcast too, I'll admit , I'm hooked. Listened to a few more on the drive home.
Back at it again end of January bring down the left side and hopefully move below the waist.
See how it goes. I'll say it every time, the love handle area is killer.

Not mine, but great to see Kore Flatmo posting again, it's been close to a year!

@Patrick Bateman I wouldn't say all realism will age like crap, just most. I would suggest watching this site's newest interview with Brian Bruno and Mike Rennie: Brian Bruno & Mike Rennie Tattoo Artist Interview Video
In it there is a good discussion on the craft of doing things like realism and the ethics involved in it. Bascially, it boils down to how the artist tattoos. Whether it is for instagram fame, competitions, getting that "wow" factor, or putting the client first and designing something that will age and look good in the future. In my opinion, tattoos that age well aren't restricted to traditional and I have seen very fine line black & grey stuff stand the test of time.
This thread (entire site for that matter), works in realigning peoples' expectations with reality. Realistic styles can be done, with certain limitations, and still endure. Probably not the same level of realism that is so commonly attempted nowadays, but still realistic as far as tattoos go. The hard part is finding an artist who is honest AND skilled enough to pull it off.
I'm no artist, nor do I know what or how these things can be achieved in different styles but I have seen it, albeit more rarely.

I've always loved this dragon by Filip Leu. The scales are so delicate, smooth, and flawless. I wish I could find another picture of it!

I've always loved this dragon by Filip Leu. The scales are so delicate, smooth, and flawless. I wish I could find another picture of it!

Hi all, been slacking on my updating on here so heres some bits and pieces:
Most recent thing I've had done was continuing this, was cool to chat to Brad Fink briefly prior:

one session to go, hopefully soon although it will be hard not to get something else by Andre.
Also got this from O'Donnell back in July:

Both shameless instagram thefts....
As usual this thread has blown my mind with the awesomeness that LSTer's choose to get...

Always good to also look for the source...

Book wise I have :
Leu Family Iron
Brandon Bond - Whore
Juxtapoz Tattoos vol1
Estevan Oriol - LA Woman
Shawn Barber - Forever Ever
Bound By Honor A Tribute to Black and Gray
David Tevenal - Favor the Brave
Reference wise:
Joe Capobianco Sketch Book
Joe Capobianco Knock Yer'self out
Dave Tevenal Sketch book volume 1
David Tevenal Sketchbook volume 2
David Tevenal & Ryan Adams - Pink Taco
Dusty Neal - Autonomous Ritual
Horimasa
Japanese Ghost Stories
Noble IV
Jack Horimouja - Tigers, Hawks, and Snakes
Jack Horimouja - Japanese Designs vol 2
Im sure there are a few that I've missed...I'm looking to get "Eckel XIII", if anybody wants let theirs go please let me know or hit me here or on my email [email protected]

I can agree with that viewpoint, though I personally would have too much of a conscience to be permanently marking someone with poorly drawn tattoos just to make ends meet. Then again, that shit happens all the time to this day!

don't get me wrong, we have the privilege of the interwebs and hindsight to know who the worldwide standards were back then and currently. this is why i specified circumstance, era, and area... i'm pretty sure hong kong tattoo clients didn't have tattoo mags to peruse or an internet to surf and they likely weren't flying to japan or hawaii to get tattooed.
the koi back piece you showed was probably the dopest thing on the block! looking at it, the peony and finger waves aren't all that bad... plenty of artists these days would do worse with a shit ton of reference at their fingertips. the design of the koi could definitely use help, but he says himself in the video that he never learned to draw. even if that client was a "westerner" and he took that tattoo back to the midwestern US, it would probably STILL be the dopest thing on the block and the local tattooers wouldn't know where to start.

One more session to go and filling in the blank spot underneath.

3rd session done, 3-4 more to go to finish the top half and start/finish the bottom half:

I finally get to give this a shot!
Dana Helmuth, 95% completed at Read Street Tattoo in Baltimore, the rest done in his private studio.

Done by Ed in 1979! GOD DAMN!!!!!!!