Wang

I visited High Voltage (LA ink) on my tour of USA.

First of Kat D doesn’t do ‘regular’ tattooing as much anymore she tends to do celebs and exhibition and the TV shows.

That said you would be talking a min of $1500 upwards for a tattoo by her. I asked at the shop and they have something like a $500 min price for the other artists in…[Read more]

Hey KH

You gave my wife some seriously sick ideas over my life insurance…
It worked well as a concept and I know you will pass no probs.

Just to let you know I am gonna keep that 1 min sculpture as a desk saver 😉

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Chip

What sort of dragon are you after modern, classical, tribal, biomech/metal?
Colour or black and shade both will work with the tattoo.

I have a number of links for dragon pics and happy to post them up just need to narrow them down a bit.

(Btw that a ICF affilliated tat? – just asking with the East London above it. Seen a few of LSC who…[Read more]

Hi

I have seen a few with planets (incl) earth in cupped hands or a fist.
They make a nice tattoo if doen properly.

The problem with getting a planet earth is that you would have to go large to get the fine detail in that will last.

Go too small you end up with a blob of green and blue – also have to remember that fine lines will distort and…[Read more]

Not something I really gave much concious thought to.

I have just completed my doctorate in tattooing and culture and I guess after you look at thousands of tattoos (or any other art) you start to file them away under certain headings and gradings.

I take your point about the boldness but that could be atrributed to the artist’s skill or the…[Read more]

Hi

The style could loosely be called ‘Nu Skool’ or ‘New School’ as it is a re-interpretation of 50-60’s flash into a modern grafitti style.

But as already said it is a very loose term and the best thing to do is take the pics of what you like to the artist and get them to design a unique sleeve for yourself.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

A photo would help but a tattoo on average takes 2 weeks to heal but can be as long as 4 weeks depending on a few factors

Your general health

The depth that the artist went (deeper tattoos can take longer to heal)

The aftercare – you need to make sure there is no sign of infection.

What type of ink was used some inks take longer to heal…[Read more]

Hi

That is a nice piece of flash.

My advice is that any design from flash is just the first stage in getting a custom tattoo.

This can be achieved by a slight softening of the circle so that it is not as rigid or can use a method known as drop shading.

This is where the lines gradually go from just outline to solid black towards the…[Read more]

Hi

The concept for the tattoo is absolutely storming and it was a great idea you came up with for a custom piece.

The tattoo itself – yes it does need some more work but to be honest it is not a complete dogs dinner just needs some fine work.

I will break my suggestions down so you can decide what to regard/disregard

Clouds – this is one of…[Read more]

Hi

It is not so bad let it heal up first then maybe get the outline tightened and add some small more intircate patterns around it.

You will be fine just don’t rush into anything until it is healed up.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

Thinking on it that is possible if you got the whole tattoo reworked with bold black and a good use of highlights it would work ok. It will mean that you will lose quite a bit of detail at the top part though as will be block style to work it over the old ink.

The main issue is covering the ink beneath as the rest can easily be…[Read more]

Hi

My advice is will it still mean the same thing to you 30-50 years down the line.

If you have something that means a lot to you and always will then get it done. Don’t get it done because you simply think it is cool to have.

There are literally hundreds of quote sites that can be used – but if you know in general what you ant then make your…[Read more]

Hi and welcome.

What design concept did you have in mind?

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Tommy

I would suggest

http://www.divinitytattoo.com/scottsdale/index.php

Their website stuff rocks.

Take care
Matthew

Hi

Why not combine some of the states known imagery such as the statue of liberty and whatever Texas is known for (Guns? – I’m a Brit so excuse my ignorance but you get my drift).

Does each state have their own flag as well as the stars and stripes? You could get a melding of local flags.

Take care
Matthew

Hi

It is neither you are a paying customer and if you are not happy with the ink you are getting go elsewhere.

Personally I have had 4 artists rework my tattoos – not because the other artists were crap i just happened to like the new artist style and I like to ‘tinker’ with my ink.

Hope that helps and post up end results.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi Hef

As long as the needle did not pierce the skin and formed the blob any ink runs will fade/peel away when the tattoo has healed.

Just keep it clean and moisturised and i am sure it will be fine.

Don’t pick the scabs as this will lift the ink and leave you with a blotchy tattoo.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

It can be done but will not be cheap as you will need a very talented artist andsome lasering to lighten the ink enough for a cover up.

My advice is to get an artist to rework the outline so it stands out against the skin then you need to shade in over the ink showing through.

If you do it will basically mean a hell of a lot of black ink to…[Read more]

Hi Fabio

Chopper is one of the more popular websites because of marketing and does have a lot of flash tattoo designs.

That said they are not the cheapest around and I would argue that any tattoo design can be done for free if you look hard enough on the net, books, galleries, inspiration from other ppl’s tatts.

Before you put your hand in your…[Read more]

Hi London

Have you tried deviant art and google images as a start?
There are many tattoo sites that specialise in these types of tattoos.

If you get the two images together a pro tattoo artist can draw up the image for you.

A few ideas;

A dove holding a flower/sprig of blossoms in their beak.

A bird of paradise which is made from the floating…[Read more]