Tattoos are very personal and individual. They hold different meanings for everyone and normally have a lot of thought put into them. (not including the one you cannot remember getting the night before – to be avoided at all costs!)
Tattoo designs for women are going to be quite different from a tattoo a man would probably choose. Angel wings tattoos,
flower tattoos and cross tattoos are popular for women, small tattoos seem to be chosen over larger ones. Butterfly tattoos are ever the favourite.
Arm tattoo design, shoulder arm tattoos and tattoo sleeve designs are very popular as are tribal arm tattoos with men. Shoulder tribal tattoos are very effective especially on a well toned body!
You can create your own or choose from the designs on offer at your tattoo studio . Talk to your tattoo artist beforehand concerning your tattoo of choice whether it be a customized piece you are after, a tribal tattoo, a celtic tattoo or a dragon tattoo. If you want a tattoo of two different things eg a flower with a snake wrapped around it find separate pictures and ask the tattooist to make an individual tattoo design for you based on the pictures, don’t copy someone else – have a unique tattoo. The tattooist’s are artists and every artist wants to show off their unique designs .
Keep in mind what line of work you are in and what social circles you mix in. You may want to show your tattoo to the world but something like a lower back tattoo or an ankle tattoo could be easily covered up if necessary.
If you have a design is it possible to see what it looks like on your body first, you may not like it and decide to have it elsewhere or not at all! Or choose to have a fake tattoo. The first thing people tend do when they enter a tattoo shop is to go to all the flash on the walls or in the books, instead of the artist’s personal portfolio. You may not find what you’re looking for in a tattoo in the portfolio, but it will definitely help you decide if you might want to be trying to find the exit door! And don’t be swayed by pretty pictures. Take a close look especially fine detail.
Its an idea to scrutinize the line work. Are the lines straight and smooth? Do the circles look like circles? What about the colouring? Are the colours blended well giving even forms of shading, dimension, and depth?
Each artist works at his/her own pace. Color, detail area of body coverage all determines how long a tattoo can take.
Large tattoos are done in sessions. Normally the tattooist will line it and wait for a period of time, normally this will be about a week , until nearly healed . This isn’t always the case and it depends on individual body metabolism and aftercare on your part .
A good tattoo artist will not generally tattoo on the exact same place in consecutive days as this can affect the quality of the result .
All these are things to consider. Keep in mind that photos may not be the work of the artist . If you have the time to spend, watch the artist at work. If your tattoo is complicated in its design make sure that your chosen tattooist is capable of “fine lines”.
Make sure that they can do tattoos with intricate detail . With tattoos that involve writing this is also really important to the finished article . You do not want any names to fade or the tattoo to “bleed” in years to come so that the tattoo becomes blurred . Don’t be shy to ask questions! Ask to see examples of the kind of tattoo you want.
Tattoo pain. Do Tattoos Hurt ? Yes – in varying degrees depending on where you have it. Trust your instincts – not sure – leave it until you are!
