Hi

Couple of things that can cause the irritation is heat/sweat that rubs against the skin as the tattoo is actually scar tissue so can be come inflamed quite easily.

The other is some pigments have trace metal elements (quite rare but depends on the make) which can become inflamed as the body is trying to flush the foreign body from your…[Read more]

Damn that is so much better! I am also glad you fixed the belt line work 😀

Looks good and a well rescued tattoo.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi as Arni has stated it is not so much the detail that can be done it is the blurring of the detail due to erosion within the skin.

Many very fine lines and small dots simply blur to blobs 🙁

Post up what you ant doing will help us gauge better.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

Some artists do use blood lining but frankly I cannot see why they would and not fill in with ink??
To leave it open so that it scars means that the next lot of pigment will be harder to go in.

A bloodline tattoo is usually for those more into scarification or have a really complex tattoo they want thinly lining out but most would use an…[Read more]

Hi

Actually whoever got the tattoo needs to get some blood work done before they do anything else. They need testing for hep and hiv as this sounds like a diy job.

Certain types of scarification may use a needle only but this should only be done by a professional and frankly the person who did this sounds like they had no clue as to what they…[Read more]

Hi as has been said.

If you are tattooing a fresh area of skin then do it otherwise avoid going over the same area for at least 2 weeks.

You overwork the skin it will look crap and heal badly.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

I have friends who are in China and they advsied strongly against getting a tattoo there in geenral they say that many of the studios are tourist traps with poor hygiene.

I will mail them and ask if they can think of any in Beijing but you want to see the autoclave and equip broken out in front of you regardless.

Take Care
Matthew

I am actually at a loss for words…

I always try to think the point of a tattoo is to make the wearer happy but what was the artist thinking putting their name to that design?

The second question after what is it? Is going to be so who did it? I can see the artist losing a fortune in revenue by word of mouth alone.

I have seen thousands of…[Read more]

Hi

There are a number of ways that you can raise funds and as suggested is there any preferential loan rates for students in the USA?

But before you do any of that you have to be serious with yourself and ask this question…

Is my art already good enough to warrant an attempt at an apprenticeship?

If it is good enough already, am I putting…[Read more]

Hi

That is a great sleeve and some very decent line work – seen quite a few polynesian tattoos that look kinda rough and jagged but at least on that one you seem to hav researched it.

If you want to add flowers you could add a maputi or hawaiian flowers that would suit the style as a cap.

Or you could have a grinning face of Tangaroa aka…[Read more]

Hi

Well there is long sleeved shirts or you could move the tattoo to your chest upper arm or legs.

There is no need to not to get it just have to decide if you can bear summer heat in long sleeves.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi and welcome

Been to Glasgow a few times – you sure about that sun rained everytime I was there 😉

Take Care
matthew

Actually it is a serious problem I have. I drive my wife mental with it and many of friends find it quite eccentric. :p

I get locked onto data and sometimes just have to know the what if’s (no matter how bizarre but then once I know I find I have to move onto new stuff.

Apparently it is a trait I share with psychopaths (my friend is a…[Read more]

Looks even better on your skin than it did on paper.

I really like it.

Take Care
Matthew

Hi and welcome

Looking forward to a showcase of your work.

Take Care
matthew

Great book, great art and great ink.

I have to ask how do you cope with my ex-wife hanging on your arm all day?? :p

I am putting together another online book/study i would love to use that image with your permission.

Take Care
Matthew

Mine had to be the section of my backpiece across the centre of my spine and eitherside of the kidneys.

hats off to the ladies with lower back tats.

Currently getting one lasered off my leg which I have to say stings like a bastard. 😡

Take Care
Matthew

Hi

Well personally I love full on backpieces and have nearly completed my own. Personally I do not think your concept is particulary masculine as it will make a stunning piece of art.

The back is not usually badly effected by stretch marks but maybe a little around the kidneys/hips – this can cause a slight distortion but would have to be very…[Read more]

Hi

Depends on what you like be it spiritualism or philosophy or sport etc

The mobius symbol is often a good one as it is eternity without end.

I have seen tattoos with ravens carrying pearls in their beaks which represents the soul continuing onwards on their journey after physical death.

My mate once got the phrase ‘Endless Mile with 2 foot…[Read more]

Granted

Except that the ghost was an absolute geek for the exorcist films and is determined to bring these skills into the afterlife.

Their particular skills are writing obscene messages (from the scripts of the films) in tea leaves across the kitchen floor such as ‘Your mother sucks cocks in hell’, twisting their head round and puking weetabix…[Read more]