Daddy got some new Ink

[Paul Armory]

Dam fine work! Dam fine 8)

 

[Lom]

Looks great mate!

 

[grinchy]

very impressive! looks cool, love all the shading on it

 

[x-pack]

Damn! That is freakin awesome!

Good ink. I would love a tattoo. I know the sort of thing I want and where I want it, but have no idea who is good or how I would get it designed :?

 

[SAVORY100]

Damn! That is freakin awesome!

Good ink. I would love a tattoo. I know the sort of thing I want and where I want it, but have no idea who is good or how I would get it designed :?

My basic hints/tips (not wanting to teach anyone to suck eggs) would be:

- Never go cheap... in fact whatever you expect to pay, double it if you really want a good piece. You will have it forever, so you should be prepared to invest.
- Expect to put in the hours, for a quality piece of a sensible size (i.e half sleeve of the like), you'll need at least one, but possibly two or even three full days in the chair.
- Do the research - read a bunch of Skin Deep and the like magazines and find an artist that does work you like.. Do not just go to your local tattoo shop...
- Be prepared to travel, I know many folk that travel from the South West to Edinburgh as there is an amazing chap called David Corden there, others that drive up to Newcastle too. Phatt German (No Regrets studio) in Cheltenham has a good reputation as does Tarren Malham (Ruby Lou's studio) in Swindon.
- If it's SW related, check out Shane Turgeon's books, both have worldwide artists listed as well as loads of great examples of artwork and ink. He runs the Celebration Tattoo area each year BTW. He also spoke at Farthest From one time and referenced a few UK studios with good reputations. He's on Facebook, you might be able to reach out to him.
- Always check and re-check the artists portfolio and visit their studio a couple of times to 'catch work leaving', best to see in the flesh what you are likely to be getting.
- Be prepared to wait. All the really good artists will have at least 4, mostly 6 or even 12 month waiting lists. If someone can fit you in the next day or week, they're probably a bit ****...

 

[Russ J]

A dame fine piece it has to be said 8)

I echo what's been said regarding cheap 'jail house tats' and quality work.....

Doing portrait work is an art in itself,every high street 'tattoo artist' is the 'best around' according to themselves but when it comes to accurate pieces like portraits majority of them shy away cause basically they are good artists but only at standard 'stencil stuff'......

I have a tattoo of Slash on my leg (my guitar hero and a big inspiration to me playing guitar)....I approached many tattoo artists in Leeds and majority of them turned me down because it was a portrait style piece ....