Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'tattoo etiquette'.
-
I have a question about the proper way to go about something, and would like some input. My right arm is about 1/2 covered so far(the bottom 1/2). It was all done by one artist and is actually really nice stuff. I'm wanting to get the arm finished now though. The tattoos that are there already are finished work, I just want to get the rest of the arm covered. I've been going to a different artist recently and I'm curious if I would be an asshole if I had the guy I've been going to recently finish the arm off or should I go back to the guy who did the existing work? I certainly appreciate any input!
-
Ok, I'm sure this will sound ridiculous to some.... But I'm wondering if LSTers have any advice on the best ways to keep yourself still during tattoo sessions? I have three pieces now... One tiny, two medium sized. The small one was easy, but during the medium pieces my muscles would twitch during the tattooing process... it seemed completely involuntary, but I'm sure was quite annoying for my artists. (They may have very kindly pointed this out to me!!) I want more work done and larger pieces. But I need solutions for sitting better first. I don't want to be that pain in the ass client. I've done my research. The pain isn't unbearable, I can definitely handle it. I don't drink days beforehand. I stay hydrated. I take a snack with me to avoid my blood sugar crashing out. I try to relax. Can anyone offer any other advice or strategies? Thanks.
-
Then take look at this "Spencer Kmyta" tattoo And compare it to the original @Valerie Vargas tattoo which he obviously tried to rip off It's like the second picture in his online portfolio! The fucking nerves on this dude.... Same thing happened to @Stefan Johnsson a little while back (different hack though)
-
My first tattoo I did was small simple lines I washed once a day and applied lotion a couple of times a day and it scabbed up and faded. Then I got my second tattoo a phoenix on my calf and I washed it once a day, applied Currel lotion to it four times a day, kept it out of the sun, didn't leave it in water everything I thought I should have been doing and it scabbed up real bad and now six months later it looks like there is a little bit of fade and I may have to get it touched up. I have a full rib piece that I just started the lining I washed it, put lotion, did all the same and after a week and a half it still scabbed up and I'm nervous that the same thing that happened to my phoenix will happen to my new piece, is there something I'm missing? I'm going in soon to get my shading started and would like to know what anyone would suggest for sensitive and easiliy scabbed tattoo skin? All advice would be greatly appreciated :confused:
-
This thread idea comes from the "Un-planned Tattoo" thread and a conversation I had the other day while getting tattooed plus my general way of getting tattooed.... As most of my tattoos are impromptu I either have a vague idea of what I want or just want to get tattooed so I show the tattooer the open space and say: "Tattoo what you want" OR I give them a vague idea and say "Do what you want" OR I give them a few vague ideas and say "Your choice" I always end up with something I like and often times a tattoo that goes beyond what I could have drawn up in my head then attempted to dictate back to them my "great idea". Then when they show me and/or have drawn it on me I don't do, 'hey can you fix this" or "how about....." or what ever other thought that has me taking the creative autonomy back from the tattooer. Though from my conversation the other day and observations over the years it seems like more often than not when tattooers get the ol' "Do what you want" the customer ends up changing their minds and/or engaging in a back and forth dialogue on the most minor things. So here are my two questions for tattooers: 1) Do you prefer customers to come in telling you what they want or giving you creative autonomy? 2) How many times is too many for you to have to draw and redraw a design for the customer? Tattoo customers: 1) Do you tell the tattooer what you want or let them have free reign? 2) How interactive are you in the process once you see what they have drawn up?
-
I need some serious help with my next tattoo design, I'm looking to do a traditional japanese piece incorporating the koi in the first pick and the shadowing in the second. I am not an artist and I have no idea how to incorporate it all together, just for more information I'm looking to have it start at my side and go up my back. Ideas and help would be awesome. Thanks :cool:
-
I should be used to this by now... But I'm obviously not. So a prospective customer came into the shop today ( she has been in before looking at portfolios, consultation etc.) Now she wants to begin her sleeve and wants to know if we would be interested in trading because she is currently in training for( insert whichever : esthetician, hairdressing, massage therapy etc. ) Really? So you think that would be equitable if I after years of tattooing would trade with you who have not even completed your training?
-
Ok, so last year, my doctor told me it would be a good idea to take the low dose baby aspirin every day. I guess I had a very minor blockage but they thought I should do it anyway. So is it ok to continue taking it or do I need to stop before I get a tattoo? It tends to thin the blood a bit. Not like an actual blood thinner but it does thin it some. So for the tattooers or anyone who may know, do I quit them for a while or is it no big deal?
-
I know a lot of the time folks complain about receiving negative comments from the non-tattooed about being tattooed. I get my share of stares, but have ever you gotten any compliments from the general population that just made you smile? Normally on the positive side I get "I love {This/That} tattoo", or "Was that done locally?" I smile, nod and answer politely. Not that I ever gave a shit what other people think of me, but I've gotten "You know, you just wouldn't look right without the tattoos." (or words to that effect) on three separate occasions recently. It just made me feel really good.
-
I'm seriously considering getting my ribs tattooed, but I have to admit I am more than a little worried about the pain. I have never used anything to help with the pain before, and although I feel somewhat 'ashamed' of even considering it now, I'm afraid using them may be the only way I ever attempt my ribs. Anyway, I was just wondering what some of the options might be, based on others experience with them.
-
So I've been having conversations with friends and have noticed a new trend. Smoozing ( or as we like to call it ) sucking dick! I'm referring to all newbies that blow up because they bought their fame by being tattooed by the heros and traveling everywhere to soak it up and be in the scene. Where's the horror stories of sticking out a 12 hour shift tattooing dumb shit on dumb people when your buddies are out getting drunk on a friday night? There's no more blood sweat and tears in tattooing. Its all about who you know and where you are... Not about the hard work and I guarantee you, the badasses nuts your swinging from did ten fold the work you did by the same point in their career... Which brings me to my second point. Art used to have true "masters" that could paint their fucking asses off but they went extinct because the art fags of the world decided picasos crazy shit and pollacks paint splaters were more significant than Rubens? WTF? I remember reading about Robert Williams saying the same thing how folk art overthrew talent. It was a way for the "common man" to relate and opened the door for every Popsicle stick glueing soccer mom to call them selves artist. Now innovation is worthy of recognition, being the first is being the first and thats to be commended but rehashing is dribble. The same is true in tattooing. And you know exactly what I'm talking about... Clunky old school poorly drawn designs revered as the badess of the bad. good artist having to dumb down their shit to get the gold star? WTF? Wheres the pushing of the envelope, breaking the rules, falling and reinventing...I will say one thing, some are true masters of the hardcore oldschool look and the power can't be challenged. Its amazing, but 3/4 of the other shite isnt making the cut. And were all guilty of praising these fucks!!! Copy cats sitting in the same booth of masters invited into the brotherhood with open arms. Fuck that! I might never achieve the recognition of others to my degree of happiness but I can hold my head high because I'm not a smoozer sucking dick to look cool. Death to false tattooing!
-
http://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.cupitt My wife was sent a link to this guy's Facebook page by an angry friend of ours. I am sure that you will recognize some of the photos in his portfolio. I try to stay away from being too negative on this forum, but this guy is a douche bag.
-
Maybe I am missing something obvious (I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box) but I notice in Denver no shops take credit cards. This doesnt really effect me as I have always paid cash...but I just wondered if there was a reason... -
So on another forum I am on (non-tattoo), I came across "is this tattoo guy good" thread...well lets just say I am talking him out of a bad-bad decision.... ORIGINAL POST: -
I will not name names just yet but I got screwed out of my deposit by a traveling artist. At a very reputable shop I signed up for a tattoo by a know artist and things got screwed up. We were set on the date and I gave him a $100 deposit. A two weeks before my appointment he called and said he had to move my date up since he is traveling, I agreed to it and move my day off of work (not easy). The next week I was at the shop with while my other friend got tattooed and I was talking to one of the guys there and mentioned I was going to be back next week to get tattooed. He said that the guy does not work there anymore.... After calling the guy again he said oh yea guess I cant do it there but we could always go to (another reputable shop). That fell through as well and was offered to do it at a "private studio in Brooklyn"....no dice for me since I always scope out the shops before hand, as well as feeling jerked around quite a bit. He said he would refund my deposit since everything got messed up....two months later he still never refunded me and now "doesn't know who I am".... How the hell do I fix this? I personally think this is not my fault otherwise I would not ask for a refund (he was the one who mentioned it to begin with). Any thoughts?
-
Maybe this is already been discussed, if so , sorry. I recently tried to work for a shop owned by someone that does not tattoo, I also considered going to work at another, same deal. Not having any experience in this venture and obviously not able to take the expriences of others to learn from, I had to learn on my own. I guess I never really got how important pride in a craft really is. These people that do not practice the craft have only the''all mighty dollar'' in mind, and it seems to me nothing else. I realized that only people involved in this business care about how,why and what goes down in a tattoo shop. I was insulted via Email, by a potential ''employer'' telling me that he was a ''business man with goals''. This in itself made me realize, this cannot work for me. His interests only lie in money. It also made me realize again what I want in and out of this biz. Only to grow as an artist, as a practitioner, and if I can make a living,great. life lessons are hard to learn , I think I just learned one. I'm interested in the expriences of others in this, because to me it seems impossible.
-
"Why did you get all those tattoos? What do they all mean?" That's a question I get a lot, and I honestly cannot think of an answer to save my life. I always get it from people who either have none or maybe one or two. "Because my dad got one in 1953 and it's one of the first things i can remember seeing from my childhood? I don't know?" It's hard to express to someone who will never know just what you have endured or are willing to endure to have something no one can ever take away from you.
-
Hello all, new to the forums here. I currently have six tats and I'm getting my first "large" piece starting in two weeks. The piece will cover the entire right side of my chest and down my right arm forming a half sleeve. I usually tip 25% when I get tattoed, but I'm wondering what's proper etiquette when getting a large piece that takes multiple sittings? Do I tip every sitting or when the tattoo is finished? Thanks for the advice. Kevin
-
Ok so maybe I'm just a little self-conscience about this. But I got this tattoo back in January and I get a lot of compliments on it. But lately for some reason when I look at it sometimes I wonder if it's like a tattoo you see on someone else and your like 'that looks really bad, I wouldn't go to that artist.' I don't know what it is. To me it kind of looks blotchy, like it's just there, especially in the sun light.. Maybe it's because my skin is so pale. What do you guys think? Do I need to get it touched up or something?
-
so heres the deal, i moved my shop after being opened for five years in the same location, to a larger nicer building. i didnt tattoo for about a month as i was building stations painting and all the other legwork that goes into opening up a shop. two days before we opened the doors i see RIGHT NEXT DOOR some jerky looking kids snooping around. come to find out the land lord signed them up to open a bong/ tattoo supply/ tattoo shop, that also does artsy fartsy photography of tattooed girls with fake blood smeared all over them (you know the type). i talked to the owner and tried to reason with him about shop minimums and what not, and nothing. shop min 20 bucks, on top of that they have a 250 all you can hack! 250 bucks and get tattooed all day. needless to say none of these kids can tattoo their way out of a paper bag but people are eating it up! the only thing i can think of to do is to unload a huge can of bear mace in thier mail slot and wait. is this what tattooing has become? oh i miss the stories of people getting their hands broken and shops being burned down. MAKE TATTOOING ILLEGAL already. the up side.....i have a lot of time on my hands to paint flash. jake bevil.
-
My job as a photographer at any event is to obviously find ladies and gentlemen with some amazing artowork for my photography. Not only floor shots but studio shoots as well. I consider myself to be polite and personable to all. The first day of any convention I wonder the floor without my camera collecting cards, introducing myself, and generally getting a visual of the layout. At that time and others I let artist know who I am and what magazine I am shooting for. I generally get a good response. As I scout and look for individuals and artist alike. Generally when I tap an indivdual or speak to an artist and say, 'Hi, I am Ernie with Tattoo Magazine. Is it ok that I take your picture for the magazine?" Usualy I get an exciting, YES!, which is why I am there. However, I am surprised from time to time I will get a "no", my artist doesn't like me to have my picture taken. Or the, please "no pictures" from artist who are tattooing. The first time I was told no I was sort of shocked. In my mind I was, does this guy know who I am? Doesn't he know his work can possible be published in a magazine for all to see. What's the deal? I have never asked any artist or spoken about this with anyone. But I have given it thought. Here is my thinking on why I would get a no. Maybe the artist has custom work on their client and doesn't want it copied. Does the artist feel he/she is not at a place where they want to be with their work? Maybe their client work is unfinished as in a full sleeve or back piece. I would love to here from artist. Cause in my thinking. All promotion is good promotion. Thanks!
-
So I am starting to hear that summer is a bad season to get tattooed. Other than the obvious downside (no swimming!) is it true that summer is generally busier? Any input from collectors/artists would be great.
-
So as many of you know my wife was studying under a local tattoo artist. Actually, to be exact, she was travelling 100 miles round trip to tattoo people unsupervised, but I will get to that... A family friend has been tattooing for 20 years. Nice guy, easy to get along with, lots of awards, very busy studio,booked out a couple of months in advance. He seemed like the perfect person for her to learn with. She approached him and stated that she simply wanted to do the donkey work, cleaning toilets, making coffee, going to the store etc, that she was in no rush and for now simply wanted to spend as much time as possible getting to know the ins and outs of a tattoo shop. After seeing some of her art, he tells her that its pointless wasting here time cleaning, and that as soon as she has people to tattoo, he will teach her - stating that practice skins and pig skins are completely different from human skin and that the only way to learn is to start. At this point both myself and more importantly my wife are concerned, but we guess he knows what he is doing, we trust his experience and I suppose, speaking for myself, I allowed my love for my wife to influence my instinct... I wanted to believe she had some type of superhuman artistic tattoo ability and that she was going to be a natural. I wanted to encourage her. She spends a day watching him, and she is let loose on me, doing two tattoos on my leg. Both of which were "ok" but he spends no time watching or guiding her, stating that she will learn as she goes. So then he tells her that she should bring any customers she can find and he will offer her a split of the cash.Which again seems strange, but we guess he knows best. We bring along two friends, and the first tattoo is great. But the second one is not so good, she makes a simple mistake at the start, which she points out to him. He tells her "that she knows what she is doing and to fix it". She tries, it gets worse, he tries to fix it, it gets no better, he tells her to bandage the tattoo and charges the guy half price. When the customer leaves he states "what does he want for £40.00" Then he says that he sends clients out all the time with bad tattoos, but he does not have the time to fix all his mistakes. He then tells her that it was time she bought her own tattoo equipment and that she needed to tattoo faster because it was a business. Needless to say my wife spent the journey home and the rest of the day in tears because she messed up the guys tattoo, but also because she realised that she could not stay there and would have to give up her "apprenticeship". She called the guy the next day and said she would not be coming back, and he genuinely seemed shocked? She said she would clean toilets for a lifetime before picking up a tattoo machine, rather than mess up someone skin, but I know she is hurt and deflated. I think she did the right thing. Did she?
-
Apprenticeship vs. Schools vs. Self-Taught
Jaycel Adkins posted a topic in General Tattoo Discussion
Hello, I posted a reply to Joe Capobianco's thread about schools being Bullshit that I thought some people might be interested in discussing, refuting, adding to, etc. Mike H. mentioned a few artists who were self-taught, rather than having gone through a traditional apprenticeship, let alone a school. My question: if you were going to go the route of teaching yourself, what would be your rules of the road? This is what I came up with in my reply post: 1. Educate yourself about the history of tattoos, world-wide, spending hours a day just reading and studying the work of various tattoo lineages and cultures from true tribal up to present day. 2. Buy two tattoo machines: one to take apart and learn how it is put together, the principles behind it's construction, the craftsmanship involved, etc. The other to use on yourself and for #4. 3. Learn how to make your own needles, and any other pieces of equipment that is necessary. 4. Call up a butcher and see if s/he will let you buy a 40 pound case of frozen pork skins, use that to teach yourself to lay down a straight line, etc. Spend hundreds of hours to teach yourself to put down CLEAN lines. I have no idea if pork skin will work, but it's better than nothing for a newbie. And better than learning on someone elses skin, given what I have seen on this school website is profoundly unethical. Turn your work into chicharons, when you are done....if you're brave. 4. Educate yourself about all the health concerns involved in tattooing. Find classes at local colleges, university, online, whatever. Be able to pass any of the tests with 100%, no wrong answers. 5. Umm....learn how to draw! Take classes, buy books, dvds, youtube videos, whatever to make yourself a good illustrator, to be able to put what is in your head down on some paper exactly as you meant it look. 6. Learn human anatomy, not just for drawing, but since the skin is your ultimate canvas, be aware of what is beneath it and how that can effect for good and bad your tattoos. Study the bodies of old people, see how age and gravity affect the flesh, plan the tattoos of your clients, accordingly. 7. Buy the book, Talent is Overrated and The Outliers, learn what the 10,000 hour rule for Mastery is, plot your self-education and career based on that. 8. GET TATTOOED BY GREAT ARTISTS!!! That has been the biggest takeaway for me from reading/watching interviews of great tattooers, whether it's Shige of Yellow Blaze or Tim Hendricks, you want to learn how to tattoo....then get tattooed! edit: 9. Find a good tattooer who is willing to look at your drawings, etc. and give constructive criticism, i.e. please leave your ego at the door, appreciate that someone, who is probably busy and dubious, is taking the time to give you some bits of education/advice. And when you do start tattooing other people, and you do get some recognition, make sure to have a category on your blog titled "People I Want To Thank," and (with their permission) list them and the contribution they made to your craft, while taking responsibilities for all 'fuck-ups' as your own: Give Thanks, Take Responsibility. If tattooing is your passion, your craft, your livelihood and how you are going to spend nearly half of your actual total hours on this earth doing, then don't listen to anyone, twiddle your thumbs hoping/wishing/praying/begging for an apprenticeship, just put a plan together, put your head down, and GET TO WORK!! -
Hey I'm a total newbie when it comes to tattoos but I have an idea for one that I would love to make happen. No words, just the image with a black backdrop. Is this doable/possible? Let me know guys. I would want this on my back and though I am not certain on the exact size I would want it to cover most of the surface area.
