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Smudge · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:54 am Post subject: First tattoo, a few questions

I am booked for my first tattoo in October. I have confidence in the artist, but I only gave her artwork for maybe half the design if that, and now I am stressing out she won't know or remember what I wanted. I don't want to be changing it heaps on her either and having her re-draw it. We also didn't talk colours and stuff like that, so I'm not sure when in the process we will cover that. Does that sound typical?

Also the artist estimated an initial 3-4 hour outline session, followed by 2 or 3 colour sessions. It's going to be on my chest with some of it going up and over my shoulder a little (to lead into my back piece later).

My inked friends are telling me it's too ambitious for a first tattoo, and I should consider something smaller somewhere else as a first one. Are they right?

Lastly, when an artist does a custom design, do they usually do it the size it will be on the body or just a first sketch then go from there?

Sorry for all the questions, it's my first time and I'm a stress head.

Funnily enough I'm not as stressed about the pain as I thought I would be...but I do really want the design so I think thats why. Either that or I will stress out about that closer to October haha.

Thanks,

Andy

dickyknee · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject:

Hey Smudge
Dont panic about the artist forgetting , i have notice they seem to have some of the best memories out there , i told my new artist a few things for mine including names in kanji , background stuff ...he got it all spot on and never wrote a thing down .

As for changing it on her , its going to be there for life ...if your not happy change it , if she does not like that then go else where . It is your tattoo , your body , you are paying her to tattoo you with what you want .

Dont worry about colours yet , get the out line done then as you go work it out with the artist , well thats what i have always done ...
I think that is the way most do it , in my experience any way .

As for your mates saying its to big , i think thats a tough one to answer , it does sound big for a first ...but if you are happy then go for it .....
If i could do mine all again i would be going big , the bigger the better IMO .Just make sure you have a good sleep the night before , good meal before you go , be positive , and remember it is going to hurt Very Happy

It's going to be a long wait , i hate waiting 4 weeks between sessions let alone till october Shocked

Smudge · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:05 am Post subject:

Cheers for the advice mate. I'll take it on board, especially the advice about on the day. I am going in recognising it will hurt, it's just hard getting an idea of how much Very Happy

One friend I know said for him, it was like someone pulling at his chest hairs for 3-4 hours. So no stress for me - clean canvas LOL Wink

dickyknee · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

Smudge the pain varies quiet a bit from a little annoying , to a very sharp/burning type pain ...well for me any way

I find the out line the worst in most cases , putting in the white is always a more painful bit as its normally the last colour and if you have just had a few other colours put in the same area you know the white... or last colour will hurt a bit .

Body area makes a big difference too , back of arm , collar bone , sternum are the worst bits i have had done ......some other areas don't really hurt at all .

Smudge · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:12 am Post subject:

Thanks again dickyknee! My chest isn't that muscly and the design will probably go over the collar bone (clavicle?) so my friends are revelling in telling me how much it is going to hurt now I've booked in Smile

Painful or not I figure once she starts theres no turning back LOL!

rowdy · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:34 am Post subject:

Smudge im the biggest wimp on here apart from ob of course ,and i will tell you dont worry linework is usually short and sharp and dont forget you can always say STOP IT!!!!!!!FOR GODS SAKE YA KILLIN ME. Laughing

. Joking aside smudge its a pain that stops as soon as the tattooist does ,ive had my chest done and its not so bad.The worst thing i find is after when it feels like sunburn.Go with a mental attitude that you will do it i make myself angry at the tattooist it sounds strange but it works for me ,when my tattooist says READY MATE,i say do your worst punk .no booze stay posotive dont listen to your mates if you want to know anything come on here,good luck.

dickyknee · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:37 am Post subject:

yep no turning bask once its started , but i will admit my chest is not quite finished (the top of it any way ) after 13 years , mainly because it runs over my collar bone and it sucked to much to get it finished .......but i am going to bite the bullet and get it finished very soon.

Rowdy is right too , once the gun stops so does the pain . after wards the pain is nothing .

rowdy · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

put some weight on dicky a bit of fat softens the blows abit. Smile

dickyknee · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject:

[quote="rowdy"]put some weight on dicky a bit of fat softens the blows abit. Smile

[/quote]

I got a little extra baggage now , so it may be a bit better , 13 years ago i surfed all day and had not fat on me at all and the collar bone basically just had a layer of skin over it , no meat under it .

rowdy · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject:

yeah mate it will help a bit and yoo can work it of when the tatts done .i hate it when you can feel the vibration sort of going through your insides .its horrible.

dickyknee · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

[quote="rowdy"]yeah mate it will help a bit and yoo can work it of when the tatts done .i hate it when you can feel the vibration sort of going through your insides .its horrible.[/quote]

That vibration is terrible on your sternum Shocked

rowdy · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:20 pm Post subject:

tell the artist turn the machine down to number 1, Smile

works miracles.

tessa_obession · Tattoo lover Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 6

well, everybody scares people with horror tattoo stories.I got my 1st tattoo a few weeks ago...its kinda a pinch,and it feels like a vel-brater...

of course it depends on you and how u handle things...i would get a smaller tattoo.. near the wrist area...for a 1st timmer.

of course if you really wanna do this...just dont be nervous,well you can be but dont freak out,do look at the needle..instead look around at the pretty tattoo designs on the wall or simply think of something else such as a song.Bring something to grab on to like a purse or a soda bottle to on take the pain...grin...as it will help u handle the pain.

uh its wat i did 4 my tattoo and my piercings.

also if you need it as the artist for a break for a few seconds...a good artist will understand.

finally...tattoo shops should make a stamp of the tattoo on ur body before it is done =]