– where do I start?
I’ve been lurking for the past few days, and I’ve realised theres a LOT more to getting a good tattoo than just picking something I like the look of.
Things I thought were amazing a week ago, I’m now wondering what the hell I was thinking.
So, where do you reccommend I start? By this I mean, what resources should I look at/study so that I get a feel for what actually is a good tattoo, for what makes a good design?
Thanks for your help (:
First off, check out the link in Sherav’s signature for loads of info on the actual stuff… inks and theory and history and whatnot. It’s an awesome reference.
As for the where to start question, Gsouder had a good answer to that just a few days ago…
… here it is: http://www.thetattooforum.com/custom-tattoo-do-start-t15410.html?t=15410
That’s one answer. Nobody can really say where it’s best for you to begin with your journey. Mine began with life changes and symbolics. The first tattoo I ever started designing was my Phoenix tattoo (still haven’t turned it to ink) because the Phoenix has extremely strong symbolic meaning to me AND it also flows with my love for fantasy. A few years later and with ideas for half my body flowing, I’m just starting my journey, and loving (and hating) every moment of it. It’s tough not being able to afford the ink you want 😀
to be honest, you have got to have a vague idea of the type of tattoo you want
ii had the idea of an asian style tattoo in my mind and i narrowed it down to 3 things, they were, a dragon, a geisha or a tiger, and i decided after looking at pieces and how the look for long enough that a dragon would be for me, you see, we cant tell you what you like 😛 tattoo books are good too though =]
Whatever ink you choose, you have to choose to have it because you like it.
It may mean nothing to someone else, it may look like a skid mark to anyone else, so long as you like it and you truly want that inked forever upon yourself then go for it.
In my opinion (and that is only mine) a tattoo can be anything you like, it needn’t have meaning. Just as long as you love it and acknowledge that once inked, it’s done.
D x
Thanks for the replies guys (:
Gsouder’s reply in that other thread was a good starting point.
I like that tattoo mean different things to different people, that everyone gets tattoos for completely different reasons, or no reason at all.
I guess I’m also asking about composition/execution – for example, that thread on “What do you think this tattoo means”. Blind Freddie could see it was badly drawn, how do I avoid that mistake on a more subtle level? If I get a more busy piece, how do I ensure it’s not overbalanced?
Is it just a matter of liking my artist’s work and trusting them.
There are generally a few KEY elements to every design. There are things you can do without as well. The artist generally knows these things. If you are wanting a very busy design, give the artist those things that HAVE to be in the piece then give them random other things to choose to tie it together. These things are small and usually easily duplicated for backgrounds. Yes and go and look at an artists book and see what they’re working on when you go to the parlor. Make sure their work is to your liking. You’re living with it on your body for an eternity. Hope this helps.
Example: I’m getting a sleeve. I want it to have a window, chair, and a book shelf. These things have to be in it. If you can fit in a tv and a fan that would be great. I really like the argyle pattern so if you could make that the background to tie it all together, that would be great.
Get it? (Not that I’d get a living room as a tattoo…. this is just an example. lol)
Man why does no one go with my original answer anymore….
pick a random tattoo shop out of the yellow pages, find old biker guy in a closet sized shop doing tattoos while smoking cigars who doesn’t card, pick grim reaper off the wall, ta-da.
Seriously. That’s how 90% of my right sleeve got there.
So yeah, now you have lots of reference, websites, magazines, spoiled bastards! :p
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