What do you all think of this tattoo? by Sardonica

TALK STORY

What do you all think of this tattoo?

POSTED BY: SARDONICA
UPDATED: Monday, August 16, 2004 05:30
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VIEWED: 3721
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Saturday, August 14, 2004 10:40 PM

(Sorry--not a Serenity tattoo...!)

I'm very likely going to be getting this (or a very similar) tattoo this summer. It'll be my first (and only) tattoo and I was wondering if anyone had any advice...?

I've spent about three years thinking about this basic design, and will discuss it with several tattoo artists and check out their styles before committing--I realize it's for life, and it's not a spur of the moment thing.

Thoughts? Advice?

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 5:51 AM

CAPTAINHARBATKIN

Me, I'm a traditionalist. I say go for a naked girl who swivels her hips when you work your arm muscles, or "Mother" in a fancy scroll, or the classic mis-spelling "Knowlege is Power". But a tattoo of Kaylee, Inara and Zoe in a daisy chain would be okay, too.

Okay, Reality Mode on. Seems a bit detailed to come across well as a tattoo. Just my opinion, of course. And a real pro might pull it off.

But I don't ask strangers what they think of my CLOTHES, never mind their opinion of permanent alterations to my skin. Please yourSELF, not the world. If you can see yourself at 70 looking at that tattoo and enjoying it and what it means to you, then don't let any power in the 'verse stop you.

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...they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skins into their
clothing - and if we're very, very lucky, they'll do it in that order.
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Sunday, August 15, 2004 6:00 AM

SARDONICA

Quote:
Seems a bit detailed to come across well as a tattoo. Just my opinion, of course. And a real pro might pull it off.

Actually--that's exactly the sort of advice I was looking for (not approval on the design). Knowing next to nothing about the ins and outs of tattooing, I wasn't sure if it was too detailed, too many colors, etc.

I'm looking forward to seeing how a tattoo artist can stylize it to his own technique (on paper before skin, of course).

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 12:32 PM

GOJIRO

This will be a very work-intensive (i.e. painful and expensive) tat, mainly because of all the shading. My advice is to re-render it with less shading and more pure coloration. Less time in the chair, expense, and pain for you. Plus, if the artist isn't top notch, it's like as not it'll come out looking bad.

Just my two cents. And yes, I have a tattoo.

gojiro

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 12:50 PM

SARDONICA

Yeah, my plan is to set up appointments with a few tattoo artists and have them redraw it in a more bold, simple and skin-friendly style.

I'm also going to bring a few samples of art for style reference--I'm in love with the "gritty, cartooney" styles of Moebius and Jodorowski.

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 1:16 PM

SUCCATASH

Succatash's Tattoo Advice:

Where on your body? The DO's and DONT's

DO's: Somewhere on your arm, back or chest, or wherever you want.

DONT'S: Right butt cheek. Don't do it there, because the space ship will look like it's flying into your ass.

"Gott kann dich nicht vor mir beschuetzen, weil ich nicht boese bin."

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 3:09 PM

NEEDLESEYE

Quote:
Originally posted by Succatash:

DONT'S: Right butt cheek. Don't do it there, because the space ship will look like it's flying into your ass.

um... ditto on Succa's remark. :p

On the design...I REALLY like the astronaut and its style.

Don't have a tatoo, but only because I couldn't make up my mind what I had to look at forever on my skin.
Good thing to consider carefully! :)

Keeper of Jayne's goggles. 8)

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 4:22 PM

SARDONICA

Cool--thanks for the advice.

This tattoo is going to go on the back of my left calf.

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

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Sunday, August 15, 2004 6:43 PM

JEDISKANKS

You may be suprised at the level of detail and shading tattoo artists can achieve. I bet it'll come out great.

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Monday, August 16, 2004 12:10 AM

MERCEDESTROY

Quote:
Originally posted by Sardonica:
Cool--thanks for the advice.

This tattoo is going to go on the back of my left calf.

Chief Editor, AFM
www.apocalypsefiction.com
Writer/Producer, The NUKE Brothers
www.nukebrothers.com

The Astronaut looks great! and should translate well in ink. The ship I am not so sure about, I agree it may need to be simpler.

Location could work but be prepared. You are resiging yourself to a couple weeks of no sock and preferably short pants. (I have 3, one on right ankle). You cannot afford to have clothing rubbing the area during the healing process - removing the scab will damage the final result.

At least you are keeping off bone - the one on my ankle was the most painful as it runs right up the bone on the outer side of the leg.

Debs

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Monday, August 16, 2004 5:30 AM

RHYMEPHILE

It looks pretty cool. I have a few tats, from many different artists, so my advice:

1. If you can get your hands on one of the trade magazines, i.e. "Tattoo" or "Skin & Ink" or the like, you might want to check out who advertises there for your area. You might also want to visit a shop (or a library) to see if you can find some back issues. They generally do interviews with shops they think are above-average.

2. Each shop should have an artist's "black book," or photos of what each artist has done. Take a look for someone who is good with grays, since the astronaut looks like it will needs lots of shading. Gray work is favored by some artists while others hate it because of the detail. Be sure to ask the artist in the shop what he/she prefers as far as gray work.

3. Price depends on how long the artist must work, as well as colors. You can get a quote from the artist before they start. You may want to go around to shops you've chosen and ask for a price.

4. When you bring in your artwork, make it as big as possible. It's much easier to shrink a drawing than to make it bigger, and it will give the artist a clear idea of what you want. Sit down with the artist to discuss it. You may have to pay a little extra to have the artist redraw the original rendering to make it perfect for a tattoo transfer.

5. Every shop must follow cleanliness and Autoclave procedures, but many shops don't have a No Smoking policy. To be extra sure of cleanliness, look for a shop that doesn't allow smoking inside. It's just a better idea to have a smoke-free zone inside. Also, every time a new client comes in, the inks must be used for that client only. The artist should prepare the inks in front of you, in individual cups. The needle is often opened there in front of the customer, too. Often, the artist will make you wait while he/she preps, but again, don't be afraid to make sure of cleanliness.

6. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Artists are willing to share their expertise and ideas for your artwork. Like I mentioned, reading a few trade mags will let you learn the "lingo" of tattooing, and you will have the knowledge that research offers.

7. Depending on the size of your tattoo, and detailing of course, be prepared for at least 3-4 initial hours, by the looks of it. As a rough guesstimate, allow $100 for every hour of work. Don't be afraid to ask the tattooist for a break, or to be allowed to get up, or to let them know this is your first tattoo. Good artists will help you prepare for what it will feel like. You can even ask the artist to use the needle on you without ink, to see how it feels. A conscientious artist should also check on you during the work, to see how you're feeling.

8. Pain is relative, but be aware that the beginning hurts the most, usually during the "outlining" of the tattoo. Then your endorphins kick in and it feels more like someone bruising you. Closer to bone hurts more, true, but the closer you get to nerves (i.e. the base of the spine) can be worse.

9. And since you said this would be your only one, I can also bet that once you get one, you'll want more!

Good luck and enjoy the experience!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Revenge!"

Vince in Rex the Runt

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