Yep, I'm waiting till I'm too old to ever regret it.
Joking aside, I'm not sure the time will ever come. Just can't imagine any design which either won't date or I wouldn't tire of. I think, for me, it would have to be something meaningful which would be imune to the dating process.
So someone not getting a tattoo has made dull life choices?
Or did you mean something else.
I would say tattoos are so mainstream now that it’s the youngsters not getting them that are making the non mainstream choice.
Also any man selling a Volvo XC60 talking about dull life choices!
I say that tongue in cheek as I had one too.
Last edited by Hood; 14th December 2020 at 15:01.
And thats all one needs to know, the really cool dont need a fancy or status car to boost their ego and standing, just be comfortable in your own skin and if you want it colouring in then go for it but don’t criticise or categorise those who do its not nice at best and responses to me suggesting dullness prove that too.
There is a new breed of tattoo lovers, the old school never went for hands and neck and face until everything was done, the new generation go for the visible first, it’s their journey, the timeline is written before your eyes, no right or wrong just another journey that wont happen twice so worry about your own and its always more enjoyable
RIAC
Current Mrs W had this recently (inner wrist)
I had my 30 year old ones touched up at the same time
I am not sure about narrow-minded etc. I have been in all three categories at some point in my life, the imprisonment in a military nick. I still live in a council house, and have done through most of my life. I speak from experience.
Last year, someone who I had known for some years saw my tattoos for the first time and said "I didn't think that you were the type to have tattoos". I missed the opportunity to ask what type that was, and excused my choices as being made by a young impressionable lad of 16 for the first and 17 for the second. This isn't the first time though that I have been asked about the tattoos in such a manner, and usually by a person who would see themselves as a member of the middle class. Nothing derogatory meant there either.
Colly was probably nicer when the Romans were there, Temp.
Not that they've ever done anything for us.
It would be interesting to know if there's a link between the type of tattoo and the personality of the wearer.
There seems to be a fascination with apex predators, death and flowers.
I don't have any tattoos but I am not ruling it out.
I never made it to the MCTC at Colly. I was shipped off to another camp for my detention in what was West Gerrmany.
As a squaddie most of my mates had combinations of bigs cats heads and sometimes paws with the claws drawing blood, names of their loved ones, and the rest were mostly a combination of hearts, scrolls, daggers, skulls, spiders, cobwebs, motorcycles, and mottos like death or glory or some other bilge.
There's not much to be gained from a tattoo, AO, and they all look crap when you get old. Any text becomes illegible. One of mine looks like Greta Instore Distalgesic, which is something that I think that we should all live our life trying to achieve. Alternatively it could be Best Before Dinner, so perhaps I had strong feelings about indigestion rememdies and the best time to take them, or plate warming rituals.
Ah, apologies.
I have been known to visit the quieter villages of North Essex occasionally as I have a few friends there, and Colchester has built itself a reputation as a historic disappointment of sorts. Well, that is, it's historic. And a bit of a disappointment.
Last edited by AlphaOmega; 15th December 2020 at 15:13.
Does she know she's "current"?
She might be "former" if she finds out
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It's a Fred Dibnahism, after his divorce from Alison he used refer to the following wives as "the current Mrs Dibnah"!
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
I had a traditional style tattoo done in Thailand four years back (with the bamboo stick versus the Uk method of needle gun). Took 6.5 hours over my ribs. Just a black geometric style raven completely filled. Oddly enough I far preferred the pain of the bamboo stick over the needle gun.
The guy started at 10pm and just cracked on through until it was done. Seems to be the norm over there. I was impressed by the recovery time as it was fine the following day and never even scabbed up.
I’m fancying another next year, it’s just a question of finding someone local who specialises in geometrics. If only I could go travelling again and have a bamboo style done again. I hear that’s also the style in Japan but funds too low for that at the moment.
It’s strangely addictive. Being 45 now I just need to be careful not to go too wild with them.
Agreed - I'm 60 and my view is "WTF"! In fact, as well as going back for some touch ups to the almost-there moonphase tattoo I've decided to embellish one of my existing tattoos at the same time - this one:
There's a bit too much real estate still available, so - having initially decided to do away with a couple of feathers in the original design - I'm now going to have them added. I'll post the result in due course.
+1
Decent tattoo should be done only once.
I used to work with a guy who occasionally got tattoos. He once said, his artist just finished a piece on him and said that he’d need to come and touch it up every couple of years. What a load of bs... one way of keeping the business going I guess. Shocking. Even more so, the guy I worked with was cool with it.
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It’s scary how many ‘new generation’ tattooists are more than happy to do a tattoo that will look amazing right after it’s finished for a photo for their Instagram and don’t care that what they ve given the customer is something that won’t stand the test of time at all. Now they seemed to have started brainwashing people into thinking its normal to have to have your tattoo touched up regularly... ( which you can’t keep on doing think polishing a watch) so in very short time the client has a illegible tattoo that they paid a small fortune for and the tattooist has a great fresh picture to put on Instagram to get more clients and start the process again.....
100%
You want an experienced artist who knows exactly how his tattoos will look after few years and is constantly learning about techniques, positioning, different types of skin, machines etc. Then you know what you’re paying for.
There’s not many of them around considering how many tattoo artists are out there.
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I think a few of the washed out ones look better
Interesting.
Most of them look like poor choice of technique and not the best placement either. Pieces like that are not solid, that’s for sure. Some people like that I guess. Personally, if I had to worry about my 6 shades of yellow fading, I wouldn’t get it done.
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Think lot of artwork above hasn't worked well is that there isn't sufficient contrast between black and skin tone (rather than between B&W) though maybe decent tattooist can get round that?
Curious as to the attraction of skulls, vampire nuns and such like. Doubt many will have that décor round the home so why different here? Personally think Banksy style stencils would work well.
It’s misrepresentation that your tattoo will look like the fresh tattoos when healed is the issue. Photoshopped tattoos is another massive deceit to get people in the chair. My mrs spends so much time trying to explain to people that these 1min old heavily photoshopped tattoos people show her on their phone when showing what they want done are basically fake representation of tattooing. It’s hard because most people have no idea what a genuinely good solid honest tattoo is
Had my first tattoo started yesterday...5 hour session, no numbing cream. First 4 hours were bearable, last hour was a bit sketchy to say the least...having 3 Cubs, a lioness and lion on my thigh...
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Guys, really hoping for some advice. But if a long post but hoping you can help.
My son is looking to get his first tattoo and is trying to decide who to use to get it done. I want to try and help him out as it seems like a massive decision to me but I don’t have any real experience.
So:
How do you choose a artist/studio? Searching the local (ish) area there are a fair few artists and all are claiming to be excellent and are all displaying their work on their websites. Most have a bunch of awards and accolades. Can you really go on some pictures/info on a website?
Time - he has emailed a few with the sort of thing he is looking for (a piece from his elbow to his shoulder in a gladiator/chain mail armour type style all in blacks/greys) and is getting estimates from 1.5 days to 4 days. Some are asking for a consultation some not.
Costs - some are asking for £700 per day and some £350 per day. That’s a huge difference and could be the difference between a £500 tattoo and a £2400 tattoo. Can you choose based on price? Is it a case of ‘you get what you pay for’? I am not asking so he can penny pinch, my view is this is a significant piece and he’s going to have it for life so costs shouldn’t be the deciding factor.
Waiting lists - does a long waiting list always assume that they are good?? Some are booked out for months in advance, I guess it shows they are in demand?
Like I say it’s his first tattoo and a fairly significant one (he is dead set on this size/style and has been mulling over for years) and I really want to ensure he is getting something he is happy with by a decent artist and doesn’t get ripped off or get something that is nasty......
Any advice greatly appreciated!!
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No advice for a young lad and his first tattoo?
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I can almost offer no idea advice, but I’d imagine they’re all booked up like never before. Due to lock down, demand is hugely bigger than supply which will likely make booking the best hard and expensive for the next 6 months
Not ignoring you, but my experience is quite limited. I found my tattooist whilst wandering around Brick Lane a few years ago, and he charges £100 per hour. We've always chatted/exchanged emails and images and generally consulted prior to the first visit, but I have no idea what the norm is, I'm afraid.
And i'd suggest getting a small one done in an inconspicuous place before committing to a sleeve.
I had my first done at 16 and the second done at 17. They are typical 70s tattoos, the fashion of the day. Would I have them removed? No. What about if it were free? Still no. If I could have my time over would I get them done again? No.
What it costs is not an indicator of quality, its often an indicator of area or greed, Ive had work done by £100 per hour tattooists and Ive had day sessions of £300 (6-7 hours), the work was the same but different and tattoos are tattoos they will never look great forever as your skin ages and loses its youth so lines blur and sharpness fades. Sometimes people are reassuringly expensive, doesn’t make them better than the next man but is a mentality that creates waiting lists along with talent that also does.
I am 60-70% covered and use different artists for different things still not sticking with one ‘great’ tattooist. As observed and obvious just get on their Instagram feeds (most have them nowadays) and look at the work there do, see if they specialise or are a general tattooist, ask them what they like doing most (and also what they hate!)
RIAC
As always the advice is much appreciated chaps!
I am not 100% on him doing this but as he has told me many times he’s 20 and can do as he pleases. As anyone who has had 20 kids will know he mostly
listens to his old dad then does exactly as he wants........
He is fairly set on getting this done so I am doing my best to help ensure it isnt a disaster!
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I never understood how tattoo artists can charge per hour. It’s ridiculous.
Agree on the design, placement and the price - done. My favourite artist only does 1 tattoo per day and charges per day. So, you basically come in, chat, have a beer, decide what you’re going to do. He would then design it and tweak to your liking if needed. Then he does it - the actual tattooing takes between 3 to 8h, same price (although fair enough I usually get bigger pieces done). He tries to do something he’s proud of and obviously something the client is happy with. Looking at his Instagram - I would be happy to wear 95% of his work. I would dive deep into Instagram and find an artist that is good but also that posts some healed pictures. 90% of the posts online are taken freshly after being done (usually the only way for the artist to take the photo - granted) and that can be deceiving. I would also really think about the design. All artists are different and they have different ways of doing stuff. It really is impossible to give straightforward advice. Just take it slow and look for stuff you really like - that’s probably the best advice for your son.
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If you read my reply further, I mention everyone’s different. The guy I use has the luxury to refuse doing the “small pieces”. You’re absolutely right it wouldn’t make sense to have a set daily rate for all work. That wouldn’t make sense. It’s just the way he works as all his pieces are at least 3-4h.
Anyway, hourly rate - how do you agree on cigarette/lunch brakes?
I’ve heard people saying their “artist” told them to come back for a touch up in a couple of years and they were fine with it... so there you go.
Really, the perfect scenario is a tattoo flash with prices on it. The good old way.
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No, you said you don't understand how anyone can charge by the hour when your artist charges for a full day - even though a tattoo might only take (say) 3 hours. That seems absurd for people have smaller pieces created, hence my comment.
Regarding breaks, they're excluded from the chargeable time, not that every minute is recorded on a spreadsheet! It's hardly a challenging approach.