I have a few tattoos, but I’ve never before planned something large – including work that will have to be completed a little at a time.

I’m a huge fan of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica series, and I’ve decided my left arm is going to be my BSG arm. Last year, I got a tattoo on the inside of my forearm with a skull and crossbones that says “Frak Off” – which is the official BSG F-word.

I knew I wanted a tattoo of my favorite character (Laura Roslin) but there are no really great iconic images or artwork of her in the publicity materials – so I wasn’t sure what to do.

Just recently, I found a website that has compiled (pretty decent) screenshots of every episode, and I had the idea to plan a sleeve using images from that website that reflect the character’s journey throughout the series. I’m thinking mostly images, but a little bit of text too.

I don’t necessarily need to have completely photo-realistic, portrait type tattoos – I’d be happy with a stylized “sketch” type of image – and I have an example of a single “remarque” type sketch an artist did for me that is kind of along the lines of what I’m thinking.

I don’t yet have the whole thing planned out yet, but I’m pretty close to knowing what I want.

So – on to my questions of planning out and getting a sleeve – and, be advised, some of these are going to be dumb.

1) Do most people work with one tattoo artist to complete the entire sleeve – so the style is the same? Do you think that would be important with what I am going for?

That would make sense to me – but, I just wanted to know how people usually do it. Also, there is a tattoo & horror convention coming up in a few weeks in my hometown & Amy Nicoletto (from LA Ink) is going to be there. I’d love to get the first image done by her (as, from what I’ve seen, her B&W portrait work looks really good) – but, there is no way I’d end up getting the whole sleeve done by her.

2) And – this depends on #1 above – is it important to have the whole sleeve completely plotted out before you begin or does it work okay to slowly add to it over time. I know there are certain sizing and location concerns.

Um – so – obviously, I know nothing. LOL. I will take ANY advice and opinions you care to give me. I have a pretty firm idea of what I want, but, like I said, I don’t have it completely plotted out yet. And, it’s going to be something that I’ll be doing over a long period of time. As much as I love tattoos, I don’t usually have a ton of extra money to spend on them.

Thanks!!!