First Tattoo

NoNameNoNumber

NoNameNoNumber

NoNameNoNumber

Soldato
Joined
25 Nov 2009
Posts
5,392
This is something I've fancied for years... I remember before I was even 18 I wanted one (27 now) but I'm just not creative enough to have any clear ideas in my head of what I want... Left forearm though something that could easily evolve into a sleeve. There are a couple of tattooists on Instagram I follow but I don't really get the whole process... I expect it to be quite lengthy even once I have found a tattooist I want to go with...

How did you guys go about it? Any advice?
Here's a few pics I kinda like the look of

c2cd448c-5205-4086-b342-4bc9a016f90c_zpsnngwrzjw.png

7c73223f-9e4f-44eb-9964-367ad0b56e3e_zpsfithecsg.png

4c2661c5-0f9d-4d21-81f0-3446dc0b6c2e_zpsvwnrqfw2.png
 
Google your local tattooists,
Look through all their artists portfolios.
Find someone with a style you like and book a consolation, bring pictures of things you like, and specifically things they've done that you like.
Remember to be vocal with your thoughts, it's always ok to not like stuff, they're big boys & girls.
 
Got quite a bit of ink myself though nothing quite as big as that (though it's definitely on the cards).

I'd say, go for it dude! Obviously something you've wanted for a while so go ahead!

Don't go big straight off though. You should always work up to a big design really. Make sure it's something YOU yourself want. Don't pick some random design off the wall of the shop. Get someone to design it for you and make sure it's EXACTLY what you want.

A lot of people will play the masculine card and say it's not painful. They're lying. Very few actually have that type of pain threshold. It hurt's like a bitch. Think a straight razor across the skin or thousands of wasp stings in one sitting (especially on the forearm or wrist. Nearly passed out at certain point when my first on the wrist was being done).
 
Find someone you get along with. Why? Because you'll be sitting with them potentially for hours on end :p if you think they're a nob then it's going to make the process worse :p

Print off ideas of what you like, go and meet the person (call in advance so they can sit down and have some time with you) and talk to them about what you want. If their creativity is good then they will be able to come up with something from what you give them and talk to them about. They'll come up with the design, and a price for it. You then say yay or nay then get it booked in and then turn up to get stabbed up with ink, basically.

I've got 4 tattoos now and looking to turning one of my half sleeves into a full, they're incredibly addictive once you start, be warned :p

In terms of pain...everyones pain thresholds is different, plus different parts of the body hurt worse than others. I'd have my whole arm redone to avoid my inner arm again, that stung somewhat :p but otherwise I can happily hold a conversation and relax whilst it's being worked on. It's an odd feeling you never quite get used to :)
 
NoNameNoNumber said:
How did you guys go about it? Any advice?
Click to expand...


Find the artists who did the work you like, and talk to them.

The worst mistake people do is take another tattooists work to someone local and say "can you copy this style". The results will never be as good as you expect, tattooists all have a style they excel at, so go to one who specializes in what you like.

Be prepared to wait, be prepared to travel, and be prepared to dig deep :D

Mine I had to wait 2 years, travel to sweden and the cost... lets not go there ;) But the work I have makes me smile every time I see it.
 
GiraffePencils said:
Google your local tattooists,
Look through all their artists portfolios.
Find someone with a style you like and book a consolation, bring pictures of things you like, and specifically things they've done that you like.
Remember to be vocal with your thoughts, it's always ok to not like stuff, they're big boys & girls.
Click to expand...

Don't just restrict yourself to local ones. You want the best... Well travel to the best you can find for what you want. It's there for life after all. Your local might be the local monkey whose found a tattoo gun in a skip.
 
Converge said:
Don't just restrict yourself to local ones. You want the best... Well travel to the best you can find for what you want. It's there for life after all. Your local might be the local monkey whose found a tattoo gun in a skip.
Click to expand...

That's why I said find one you like the style & work of.
Obviously if they're all **** then go further afield.

I suppose I've got loads of local places, and a good few world class artists near so I've never felt the need to look far
 
If you're near London, there's a couple of places I recommend based on my experience and the talent they have .. they're usually booked out months in advance:
Seven Doors (Shoreditch)
The Family Business (Exmouth Market, Farringdon)
 
Cheers guys, yeah some good advice. I guess I need to start making notes of both artists I like and styles/designs...
Pain threshold seems pretty good, snowboarded off a mountain with a cracked pelvis a few years ago and handled a separated shoulder like a pro apparently... Although the wrist and inside elbow seem like areas I'm going to feel.

Found Seven Doors and The Family Business on Insta :D I like!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom