You should try doing underpaintings with the black and grey. You can add color ontop of that you’ll get alot of depth and richness of color that way.

You’re really progressing fast. Good work! My only advice would be to make your blacks darker and I’d like to see some color pieces. I know you prefer black and grey, but anyone who would potentially mentor you would want to see color as well as black and grey. Great job though. I’m really digging the lady/skull.

Fwa Xyooj, he’s on Facebook. He’s amazing at black and grey. He’s relatively unknown. He loves tattooing big cats. I think he’s in Minneapolis.

This sounds awesome. I’ve always liked reading and hearing old timer’s stories. Keep us updated when the whole thing will be available.

Who cares about the religious implications? Have your artist throw an upside down cross in there somewhere. Maybe have the praying hands holding one.

People get unicorns and dragons tattooed on them and don’t believe in them. You can just as easily get a day of the dead girl without believing in the religious aspect.

I wouldn’t worry about it. Most “India” ink isn’t even made in India. Tattoo ink companies, at least the reputable ones mix their own inks and as far as I know most of them are made right here in the good old USA.

It seems you have an affinity for Japanese tattoo themes. I would say to check out the works of Horiyoshi III, Shige, and Jack Mosher. Study their styles and how each form is laid out. Pay attention to lines and line weight. Which lines are thicker and thinner and why. Also read up on people like Bert Grimm, Sailor Jerry, and Lyle Tuttle.…[Read more]

Nichols Peerless Liquid Watercolors and Liquitex acrylic inks.

I’m not that hairy. I used a machete. Cause I am that tough. Lol.

I much prefer tattooing myself than getting tattooed. Most of the time when I get tattooed it’s almost like an ambush. I apprentice at a tattoo shop and when there are cancellations they’ll work on my tattoos. I’m never mentally prepared and I never seem to have had anything substantial to eat beforehand. Recipe for disaster. I just started…[Read more]

I do hope to be pushing the boundaries of tattoo art in the future. One can dream. Any success I do have is all due to finding the right shop and teachers to get me off to the right start. If anyone who reads this is looking to get into tattooing, get an apprenticeship. There is way too much to learn on your own. Draw, draw, draw, find the best…[Read more]

Just did my first tattoo, on myself… It’s a little rough but it didn’t turn out too bad. The outline could have been more consistent. I’m pretty happy with the color though. Be gentle!

Glad it went well. I figured you’d be fine. Millions of people have been tattooed with no medication what so ever and lived through it. It’s a rite of passage. Welcome to the club!

Focus on your breathing. Take regular breaths and don’t hold your breath when getting tattooed. Alot of people ignore this and suffer for it. Eat something starchy beforehand and bring a sugary drink to sip on during the process. You’ll probably be shocked at how easy it goes. Also tell the artist if you are getting the least bit dizzy or…[Read more]

That’s easy, it’s C-6 on the menu, General Tso’s Chicken.

Really though, your best bet is to get to a college and ask a few professors in Asian languages what it is or find a kanji symbol in a book that you like that has a meaning attached to it. Otherwise you might never really know what it says. Never get anything tattooed on you unless you…[Read more]

Looks like a monitor lizard. Looks good.

Quick sketches –

I have one full sleeve, one half sleeve, most of one lower leg, one side of my ribs, and a small tattoo in the center of my back. My family is pretty into them with the exception of my grandparents. My city has probably too many tattoo shops and a decent percentage of the population is tattooed. I’ve never had negative comments directed towards me…[Read more]

I’ve thought about getting “so it goes” before. Great quote, great book. I didn’t get it because I’m not the biggest fan of text as tattoos. I almost did it though which says something about how great that quote is in the context of the book.

The ditch and the swellbow in one sitting… Brutal! Looks great.