I am planning on getting a tattoo very soon but my biggest fear is that the artist won't be able to do it right. How do you figure out an artist can do what you want done? Do they draw it first to prove it? Do they draw it on you and ask it that is what you want it to look like and then they fill it in?

I want my tattoo to be perfect and not jacked up. How do I go about interviewing or figuring out if a tattoo artist can do what I want? This will be my first tatoo

Artist usually have books with their art work in it.
U might wanna browse through that.

oh yeah and dont forget to tell the artist to spell my name correctly

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

What you posted here, go and ask the artist. And like Dance mentioned, check out their book/portfolio of previous work.

What's it of??

Richard,

seeing as how you're really looking for the best quality first, have a few artists draw it out for you. Pay them for this. It won't be nearly what the tattoo will cost, and you will be able to decide which one looks best. If it has a lot of nuances and gradations, look for that in examples of the artist's work. Take your time and just talk with the guys. Everything you mentioned in the OP, bring that up.

good luck

Don't do it.

johnart said:

This mouuth:



It's what showed up in my treasure chest experience at school. At first I was confused but when I figured it out WOW!

How hard could it be to tattoo a Scarlet letter?

Oh yeah Jasco, the full experience here:

http://prince.org/msg/8/325740

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Ask to see their work, and ask for customer referrals. Any good and secure artist would be glad to do that. Ask around too. When you see someone with a great tattoo, ask them where they got it, if they're happy with it, etc.

Richard...like everyone has said before, they should have books of their work, and as Chris said get different artists to draw it out for you, etc...I don't blame you for being picky about who does your tattoo. Good luck and I can't wait to see it!

make sure you both confirm the size before you let them start

my sister designed a lovely little design, that ended up right across her back

NOT her intention

ZombieKitten said:

I'm trying to figure out how much of my breast this mouth should suckle

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

oh dear

Hot.

Ok, so here's how this should go. You look at lots of portfolios and find somebody whose work you like. You go in for a consultation with the image you want and, if you feel like the person is listening and responsive, you put down a deposit and they make a drawing for you. You go in on the day of the tattoo (recently fed and hydrated, no aspirin or alcohol prior), ask for any changes to the drawing that you might need, and they'll turn the drawing into something that looks like a temporary tattoo. They'll shave your skin and put it on you and ask how you like the placement, size, etc. Be picky! If it's not perfect, now's the time to fix it! If it looks good to you, they should go put gloves on, set up tiny disposable cups for ink, open autoclave envelopes with the needles and whatnot in them, and make sure you're comfortable.

Have fun.

JerseyKRS said:

What he said.

Seriously.

You're in L.A., right? My tatted-up friend in SoCal highly recommended Body Electric. He added that they would be pretty expensive and probably have a long waiting list, though (both good signs, though, when you think about it).

Efan said:

My goal was to get this done by my 40th birthday which is in 5 weeks but I don't see the money happening and I don't want to rush this! Perhaps I can trick my mind into accepting the beginning of the process as making this goal