Anyone got a tattoo sleeve,where do you start

[jf1]

I think I am having a midlife crisis I have decided to get both arms full sleeved...

LOL!
that should cure the crisis?

just putting anything on your arm is never a good idea. A tattoo needs to mean something to you.
I knew I wanted a dragon...

what exactly did that dragon mean to you?

[crupiea]

I dont have any tattoos and I was in the Navy for 20 years.

Be the shepard, not the sheep.

[gbone74]

I dont have any tattoos and I was in the Navy for 20 years.

Be the shepard, not the sheep.

I Dont understand your point.

I am a grown man who WANTS a tattoo sleeve,I am not a 12 year old smoking because my mates are.

[Old_swole]

I dont have any tattoos and I was in the Navy for 20 years.

Be the shepard, not the sheep.

Negged..Not really, but dang close.

[mikieson]

TC its not a mid life crisis thing..well maybe it is not sure about your reasons...This is no help to you but thought I would share my thoughts on this as I "MIGHT" be getting my 1st tattoo.

My reason is...well ive wanted one for years..actually wanted several.....I feel like ive lived a very mundane, somewhat boring life compared to a lot of people. I dont drink, dont smoke, dont do drugs, dont sleep around, dont cuss around anyone but my wife "and not much around her"..Ive only been with one person EVER my wife..

SO I feel its time for me to I guess "live" a little. Im about the only person I know that has lived how I live...very controlled I guess for lack of better words.

Ive been drawing up plans for my 1st tattoo if I decide to get one. Im thinking of even getting an earring.....All this on my soon to be 40th bDAY...I was thinking of even smoking some weed..hahahaha...BUT I would feel a little guilty and just plain bad if I did that...

SO sorry I got off the topic I just thought I would share my lil story with you...Good luck on what you decide...Take your time and get what you want how you want because its not easy going back..

[lanolar]

I dont have any tattoos and I was in the Navy for 20 years.

Be the shepard, not the sheep.

Yea cause getting ink is being a sheep. LOL whatever..... Nice job judging over the internet~

I got ink because I wanted to get it done. I did not worry about some tool telling me I might be a shepard or a sheep. Oh and I was in the Marines, who freaking cares if you were in the Navy and did not get ink done?

[Brackneyc]

I Dont understand your point.

I am a grown man who WANTS a tattoo sleeve,I am not a 12 year old smoking because my mates are.

Get one. I have a few, and I love mine. There are no shepherds on this earth. Period. Everything everybody does, has already been done. Those who don't have one, don't have one. Big deal.

[Nikonguy]

These days not getting them is probably more original/non-conformist.

Lol. I've been waiting for it to come around so I can be on the "tat-free" cutting edge. I've always wanted to be groundbreaking.

[SP1966]

Lol. I've been waiting for it to come around so I can be on the "tat-free" cutting edge. I've always wanted to be groundbreaking.

Yes! On the other hand I am always one style generation behind, by the time I actually come around to liking it, it's yesterdays fad! I think the only exception to this was my once awesome mullet!

[dungeonmistress]

Once you find a good artist, they are like gold. I had one that quit tattooing and I was bummed, but am working with another one in the same shop now. Its all about the art and the pain is part of the attraction to me as well.

BG

Exactly! Suffering and pain are just part of the trip. The beast (from maiden's number of the beast) tat that's on my forearm - Tim (my artist, black heart tattoo SF yes a shameless plug lol) sketched it on without using a stencil. You really have to trust your artist to allow something like that! I've attached a pic of the beast plus some shots of my sleeve. I have a killer skull on my right forearm, and ghost skulls all over the arm as background plus other full skulls going up my arm. Also, a cover up of a icky tribal on my wrist - it's now a black spider with a shadowy skull shining thru its back.

[gbone74]

Exactly! Suffering and pain are just part of the trip. The beast (from maiden's number of the beast) tat that's on my forearm - Tim (my artist, black heart tattoo SF yes a shameless plug lol) sketched it on without using a stencil. You really have to trust your artist to allow something like that! I've attached a pic of the beast plus some shots of my sleeve. I have a killer skull on my right forearm, and ghost skulls all over the arm as background plus other full skulls going up my arm. Also, a cover up of a icky tribal on my wrist - it's now a black spider with a shadowy skull shining thru its back.

I love the first 2 pics especially.Thats the kind of thing I like.

and women with lots of tats....HOTTTTTT

[dungeonmistress]

I love the first 2 pics especially.Thats the kind of thing I like.

and women with lots of tats....HOTTTTTT

Thanks! I sort of have an aversion to extremely garish, brighly colored tats, and am more a black and grey kind of person at heart. When Tim colored the flowers I asked him to make them a wash of color in order to make the skulls and black kanjis pop more. If the flowers were bright colors the skulls would have disappeared since they are lightly shaded themselves. I was kind of going for the same look as black and white photos that have had some color added to them.

[gbone74]

Thanks! I sort of have an aversion to extremely garish, brighly colored tats, and am more a black and grey kind of person at heart. When Tim colored the flowers I asked him to make them a wash of color in order to make the skulls and black kanjis pop more. If the flowers were bright colors the skulls would have disappeared since they are lightly shaded themselves. I was kind of going for the same look as black and white photos that have had some color added to them.

I have never been into the heavy greens and blues in old tats,I just like the different shading,I might get it all done in the black and grey style then just add some colour to bring bits up if its all a bit too dull..

I suppose you just get the main idea then it might turn out different once finished cant wait should start in another week or two

[dungeonmistress]

I have never been into the heavy greens and blues in old tats,I just like the different shading,I might get it all done in the black and grey style then just add some colour to bring bits up if its all a bit too dull..

I suppose you just get the main idea then it might turn out different once finished cant wait should start in another week or two

Basically it boils down to this: finding art that really speaks to you - something that is not a fad that you are going thru here and now, but something that really stirs you. When you see it you'll know. This art will be on you forever and you don't want to regret it. Some go for themes when they do sleeves. I've always liked skulls and the artistic value of kanjis. The flowers I chose for that sleeve are mainly asian inspired so it sort of ties everything together. If your theme is going to be skulls, find pics of skulls you really like and bring the art in with you to your appt with your artist so he can draw your stuff up. Find other things to tie into it that you like, that means something to you and let the artist conceptualize it on paper. You will proof it anyway before it goes on, so you can yay or nay any parts of it or ask that things be moved around, taken away or changed out. Remember they work for YOU.

Important too is checking out reputable shops. Most good shops don't do a lot of walk in business. If you see ink on a person don't be shy - ask them who their artist is. Most people like to talk about their ink (look at me heh).

Not gonna lie - ink of this magnitude costs a grip. My artist now charges $180 an hour. I'm grandfathered in at the old shop rate of $150/hour so my work is a bit less than the going rate. I had like 4-5 sittings for the sleeve and probably more for the back. the dragon on my leg took over 80 hours but my exhusband did that one so we took it out in trade lol.

When you approve the art the artist will line your entire arm the first sitting (usually) with the main art; the background stuff is adlibbed in at the end to tie everything together. You will feel like a human coloring book with just the outlines.

However, if you decide to just go piece by piece with a lot of what is called "pork chop" tats (just all kind of tats, no theme) they will do those basically one or several at a time until you have no skin left to tat lol.

My back hurt like a bitch - won't lie - ribs are a mofo re pain.

[Nikonguy]

Yes! On the other hand I am always one style generation behind, by the time I actually come around to liking it, it's yesterdays fad! I think the only exception to this was my once awesome mullet!

I'm sorry, were you talking to me? I was busy watching my VHS copy of "True Grit" starring John Wayne.

[Marius_Ursus]

Lol. I've been waiting for it to come around so I can be on the "tat-free" cutting edge. I've always wanted to be groundbreaking.

I admit it pissed me off a little bit when I got back to the States and saw how common tattoos had become.

[Nikonguy]

I admit it pissed me off a little bit when I got back to the States and saw how common tattoos had become.

The little town where I live seems to be WAY over quota in tattoos, and those are just the ones I can see.

[crupiea]

The little town where I live seems to be WAY over quota in tattoos, and those are just the ones I can see.

The big town i live in is the same way.

[KeepItMoving]

Basically it boils down to this: finding art that really speaks to you - something that is not a fad that you are going thru here and now, but something that really stirs you. When you see it you'll know. This art will be on you forever and you don't want to regret it. Some go for themes when they do sleeves. I've always liked skulls and the artistic value of kanjis. The flowers I chose for that sleeve are mainly asian inspired so it sort of ties everything together. If your theme is going to be skulls, find pics of skulls you really like and bring the art in with you to your appt with your artist so he can draw your stuff up. Find other things to tie into it that you like, that means something to you and let the artist conceptualize it on paper. You will proof it anyway before it goes on, so you can yay or nay any parts of it or ask that things be moved around, taken away or changed out. Remember they work for YOU.

Important too is checking out reputable shops. Most good shops don't do a lot of walk in business. If you see ink on a person don't be shy - ask them who their artist is. Most people like to talk about their ink (look at me heh).

Not gonna lie - ink of this magnitude costs a grip. My artist now charges $180 an hour. I'm grandfathered in at the old shop rate of $150/hour so my work is a bit less than the going rate. I had like 4-5 sittings for the sleeve and probably more for the back. the dragon on my leg took over 80 hours but my exhusband did that one so we took it out in trade lol.

When you approve the art the artist will line your entire arm the first sitting (usually) with the main art; the background stuff is adlibbed in at the end to tie everything together. You will feel like a human coloring book with just the outlines.

However, if you decide to just go piece by piece with a lot of what is called "pork chop" tats (just all kind of tats, no theme) they will do those basically one or several at a time until you have no skin left to tat lol.

My back hurt like a bitch - won't lie - ribs are a mofo re pain.

Somehow, it just made sense to summon the DM on this thread!

[beachguy498]

Exactly! Suffering and pain are just part of the trip. The beast (from maiden's number of the beast) tat that's on my forearm - Tim (my artist, black heart tattoo SF yes a shameless plug lol) sketched it on without using a stencil. You really have to trust your artist to allow something like that! I've attached a pic of the beast plus some shots of my sleeve. I have a killer skull on my right forearm, and ghost skulls all over the arm as background plus other full skulls going up my arm. Also, a cover up of a icky tribal on my wrist - it's now a black spider with a shadowy skull shining thru its back.

Nice work DM! Do the let you into church with that last one? J/K, looks awesome. I've had some work done less the stencil and I find that you have to trust the artist and be ready to say... ahhh... not what I was looking for... while its in the felt tip pen state.

BG

[beachguy498]

Basically it boils down to this: finding art that really speaks to you - something that is not a fad that you are going thru here and now, but something that really stirs you. When you see it you'll know. This art will be on you forever and you don't want to regret it. Some go for themes when they do sleeves. I've always liked skulls and the artistic value of kanjis. The flowers I chose for that sleeve are mainly asian inspired so it sort of ties everything together. If your theme is going to be skulls, find pics of skulls you really like and bring the art in with you to your appt with your artist so he can draw your stuff up. Find other things to tie into it that you like, that means something to you and let the artist conceptualize it on paper. You will proof it anyway before it goes on, so you can yay or nay any parts of it or ask that things be moved around, taken away or changed out. Remember they work for YOU.

Important too is checking out reputable shops. Most good shops don't do a lot of walk in business. If you see ink on a person don't be shy - ask them who their artist is. Most people like to talk about their ink (look at me heh).

Not gonna lie - ink of this magnitude costs a grip. My artist now charges $180 an hour. I'm grandfathered in at the old shop rate of $150/hour so my work is a bit less than the going rate. I had like 4-5 sittings for the sleeve and probably more for the back. the dragon on my leg took over 80 hours but my exhusband did that one so we took it out in trade lol.

When you approve the art the artist will line your entire arm the first sitting (usually) with the main art; the background stuff is adlibbed in at the end to tie everything together. You will feel like a human coloring book with just the outlines.

However, if you decide to just go piece by piece with a lot of what is called "pork chop" tats (just all kind of tats, no theme) they will do those basically one or several at a time until you have no skin left to tat lol.

My back hurt like a bitch - won't lie - ribs are a mofo re pain.

DM, excellent advice! Again, its all about the art and your connection with the artist. I was between shops for 20 years and got back into it in 2005. The shop I've been with has all women artists, so far anyway. The one who quit the business has an art degree and could draw anything.

I also approve or disapprove anything that goes on me. I have an art background too and a good sense of proportion.

This shop charges $150 for the 1st hour and $120 per hour after that. They're moving to a bigger shop so the prices are going up, I was told that my rate would stay the same. It might even run less than $120 for me. Whenever I'm ready, I just walk in and look in their appointment book, see an opening and write my name in for that time slot. I generally like 2-3 hour sessions. At the end, I ask, how much do I owe you? And pay whatever it is, plus a tip.

BG

[dungeonmistress]

DM, excellent advice! Again, its all about the art and your connection with the artist. I was between shops for 20 years and got back into it in 2005. The shop I've been with has all women artists, so far anyway. The one who quit the business has an art degree and could draw anything.

I also approve or disapprove anything that goes on me. I have an art background too and a good sense of proportion.

This shop charges $150 for the 1st hour and $120 per hour after that. They're moving to a bigger shop so the prices are going up, I was told that my rate would stay the same. It might even run less than $120 for me. Whenever I'm ready, I just walk in and look in their appointment book, see an opening and write my name in for that time slot. I generally like 2-3 hour sessions. At the end, I ask, how much do I owe you? And pay whatever it is, plus a tip.

BG

I WISH I could see Tim more regularly! He is sooooo difficult to get an appt with. When scheduling a big piece generally you need to wait until his books open up, which is twice a year. He's working less days to further complicate things. There was a point in time about eh, 2-3 years ago, when I was getting ink regularly at least once a month. A few times I was lucky enough to get in on a cancellation.

I have an appt coming up on March 19, and am taking my daughter in for her first tat on her birthday the day before. My husband has back to back appts this coming weekend to fininsh his viking-inspired sleeve (which is AWESOME btw). If he can't do both appts he's giving one up to me.

Can't wait! You have any more inkings coming up any time soon? My next work is sleeving the other arm with a mjolnir, chained demon, phoenix rising (done Japanese style in black and grey perhaps), a bee, perhaps more flowers and some other background stuff of which I am not sure yet. Been collecting art examples to bring to my consult.

[beachguy498]

I WISH I could see Tim more regularly! He is sooooo difficult to get an appt with. When scheduling a big piece generally you need to wait until his books open up, which is twice a year. He's working less days to further complicate things. There was a point in time about eh, 2-3 years ago, when I was getting ink regularly at least once a month. A few times I was lucky enough to get in on a cancellation.

I have an appt coming up on March 19, and am taking my daughter in for her first tat on her birthday the day before. My husband has back to back appts this coming weekend to fininsh his viking-inspired sleeve (which is AWESOME btw). If he can't do both appts he's giving one up to me.

Can't wait! You have any more inkings coming up any time soon? My next work is sleeving the other arm with a mjolnir, chained demon, phoenix rising (done Japanese style in black and grey perhaps), a bee, perhaps more flowers and some other background stuff of which I am not sure yet. Been collecting art examples to bring to my consult.

I can usually get in with a month notice. Or earlier if someone cancels or at an odd 2-hour spot in the schedule. Your work is awesome, I really dig the style. And super cool to take your daughter for her first. My son is 18 and was talking about getting one last night. I have a lot of books that he can go through.

I have one piece that is old and want a cover up for it, going to run me 3 hours and don't have the spare cash right now. Maybe in late March if I out $$ aside. Do post pix of your new work.

BG

[Marius_Ursus]

The little town where I live seems to be WAY over quota in tattoos, and those are just the ones I can see.

I can believe it. I went overseas at the beginning of 90, came back at the end of 92. In the almost three years I was gone, tattoos went from bikers and military men to being a decoration for weepy boys with messy hair and metal 5h1t stuck in their faces.

[Karl_Hungus]

I can believe it. I went overseas at the beginning of 90, came back at the end of 92. In the almost three years I was gone, tattoos went from bikers and military men to being a decoration for weepy boys with messy hair and metal 5h1t stuck in their faces.

This made me lol....