Does size matter?
I've been professional tattooist for over 6 years now and that was good ride, but enough!
I no longer want to make SIMPLY make images on the skin.
I will be honest with you, many artists tattoo just for the sake of a tattoo. No, better be REAL honest, it's just in sake of SIMPLY photo on Instagram. They do not care about the image of a person as a whole and how its gonna look in 2-4-6 years.
Why are you planning your tattoos? To make YOUR IMAGE, memorable, unique, stylish.
We want not just a picture, we want to be recognized by friends, strangers, damn - maybe get lucky if we are single.
Be more significant in your own way, more than moment before you got your tattoo made life by your artist.
I absolutely f**king bet, you know at least one movie, where the main character is remembered only because of tattoo.
Maybe it was "Blade","From Dusk Till Dawn", "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," or maybe just "Hitman" was it Tom Hardy,Vigo Mortensen or maybe even Angelina Jolie or Danny Trejo?
The tattoo made the heroes of these films memorable. Without it, such an image would not have developed, or it would have made lesser inmpact. Isn't it?
So do you want to become a you inner hero - I'm here to help!
I thought what kind of style it should be, or combination of those, how it should stay on your skin.
Most importantly, how to make the tattoo IMPROVE the image of a person.
What is important to me as artist?
I've met, worked with and listened to tattooists, those who were artists, and not just transferred the picture to the skin with no understanding of volume or light.
And I'll share my discovery with you.
We know obvious things like tattoo should be readable, contrasting, solid. This is a matter of tattoo longevity.
What the majority of tattoo masters agree on is that the tattoo should occupy at least 50% of the entire body part. If this is a arm than - half sleeve/sleeve, if leg it's - leg covered, if it's back well you follow.
And we see this aesthetics as soon as we go the traditions - Japanese tattoo, Polynesian even not so old but very publicly known now "eastern prison" tattooing.
It is arrangement that creates the maximum harmony of the picture with the body.
The second point is that the tattoo should start and finish correctly. Exactly how a tattoo looks around the edges is the key to how it transforms your body. And yes, you can make the shoulders wider, the waist narrower, the butt rounder and etc.
I am a specialising in body mechanics that why you are here, if I would choose against tattooing one moment in the past - I would literally stay being weightlifting coach. It is important for me that with tattoo your body becomes more attractive as a whole image. Even if it is just an optical illusion.
The third thing - tattoo should cause a strong emotion. Essentially, tattooing is an art form where emotions play a key role.
So, why do 90% of people turn to me with large, serious projects? The remaining 5% are also large, good tattoos, but I can do them in one session. (Don't ask me where is last 5% for now)
Why for many of MY clients the first tattoo is not an Pinterest lettering or a hieroglyph that they would later regret why they are sleeves, torso or back? I'll answer because that's what they will be proud of and wear with dignity, as a luxury item.
Now let’s take a look at that last 5% what stops people from having large tattoos?
They believe that large tattoos are:
1. Long to do
2. Painful
3. Expensive
So how we overcome these stereotypes and how do my guys calmly withstand 7-8 hour sessions?
The first thing is a systematic approach to work. I clearly know what we are doing in the first, second, third and so on sessions. And my customers know or just trust me fully (which I love you all for). This inspires confidence finish a back in 5-8 sessions? Not a problem. This is not a year or two. Three/four month depending on our calendar and you're done - go, rejoice.
Second, it might be hard to believe, but I really don’t like inflicting pain.
I can take it no problem, but I really don't like to inflict it - just like good staffy.
So in simple terms you don’t pay me for pain, but rather the opposite. I know everything about time frames, sprays and ointments what is better to use when is better not to even start. But I will say that pain management begins right when you start our consult.
And I will do everything necessary so that at the session we have a good intellectual chat, rather than moans and cry.
And lastly the question of price. You know. I am not cheap tattooist (however life is comparison..), but not one of those who breaks the price tag and sits proud, but lonely, with one or two customers a week. I have a fair price which becomes good discounts for long sessions. I am interested that we finish the project as soon as possible and move on to a new one.
I want a person coming to me to get not just a picture, but to leave feeling that they look just like who they are inside!
The reason I'm writing this out as our first post is I want you to tell me why are you here?
Does tattooing mean same to you? Do you want to help look bit more like they see them selves inside?
Do you have question on techniques because you already started your art or tattoo journey and realised that it's wiser to learn from others mistakes by just asking someone who've been there?
Whatever it is let's find out together!!
David