Not bad, some better than others.

So without any type of formal apprenticeship your buddy wants you to step right in and become a tattoo artist because there’s an empty chair?

Use images to represent the kids rather than just the names in a banner or something like that.

Sorry but damn that’s bad. I hope this was done in a sterile shop and I’m sure you’re a licensed tatto artist, right?

Welcome to the forum. Take your time with this and let something come to you, you have some good starting points with those elements. I wouldn’t use the birth and death dates, either, as the date of death would be like seeing the checkered flag and make you sad when you see it. Keep it as upbeat as possible to provide good memories not sad ones.…[Read more]

I just randomly googled “old school sparrow tattoos” and you can scroll through for different color options:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1436&bih=733&gbv=2&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=old+school+sparrow+tattoos&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

Welcome. Obviously ignore the knuckle tattoo comment. Be patient, be sure of the design and location (although the artist can help) and do plenty of research before selecting an artist. Don’t go to someone just based on a friend’s recommendation or price and please go to a professional artist in a legit shop.

Just curious, what shop are you at and who’s your mentor? I’m in CT, I’m a little familiar with Redemption Tattoo (Cambridge) but that’s about all I know in your area.

I had to read a few posts before figuring out where Manchester is…like there’s only one in the world? I live 20 mins. away from a town called Manchester in my state.

It’s normal, let the stuff fall off naturally. Doesn’t sound like scabs but just part of the normal sheddingof the dead skin as new skin takes over. Usually takes a few days to a week but everyone’s different.

ArniVidar;87170 wrote:
Temporarily banned. He’ll be back soon enough. And yes… for generally being unnecessarily rude and obnoxious for no good reason.

It’s your job and not mine but that seems a little harsh with no warning, The original comment didn’t even seem too obnoxious and it wasn’t even a personal attack, it was regarding Japanese…[Read more]

power trip

I was tattooed over a scar and the artist said the key was that the scar had to be old enough or he wouldn’t go near it. I think mine was 5 years old at the time. It has black ink over it and it’s now only noticeable if you look real closely.

Damn, some things are absolutely ridiculous.
Regarding the tattoo, I’ll reserve too much judgment until it’s finished but my initial thought is for a black and grey piece it needs more contrast within the shading. I agree with buttwheat’s post about it blending together too much right now since there’s not enough variation within the darks and…[Read more]

Do you have a link to more of the artist’s work?

No, you’re bad is trying to get technical tattoo information from strangers on a tattoo enthusiast forum rather than from a mentor during a proper apprecticeship. There are hardly any actual tattoo artists here anyway so not sure what you were expecting. If you can draw as good as you say, put down the “gun” and take your portfolio to shops and…[Read more]

buttwheat;87036 wrote:
… I think though some lasering is going to be needed.

Is it just me or does it seem that phrase has been suggested quite a lot lately.

Yeah please research artists thoroughly and select someone whose style matches what you’re looking to get. We can definitely help if needed.

You picked up a “gun” ? Wow, what a post and you wonder why we despise scratchers so much. If you were serving a proper apprenticeship this would never have happened. Do everyone a favor and put down your “gun” and never use it again. People like you are a disgrace to the tattoo community.

I agree about letting it heal but my first impression is that it is a blown-out mess and it’s not going to heal any better.