I need advice! This was my first tattoo, and I didn’t do a good job of finding a skilled artist. The eye is fucked, the legs are pretty bad, and the details are super dull, the belly is also not big enough, and the head and eye had way more detail than what is on there. The frog looks nothing like the stencil. There is a gap in the frogs leg because a flower is supposed to go there. I wondering if I could add white to the eye to add some highlight but I’ve talked to an artist and they said there’s not much I can do to fix the eye. I know it wouldn’t show up white but I’ve seen videos and the white usually shows up it’s just grey. Please give advice 😭 and some people said to cover it up completely and I really don’t want to go that route.

Feels so satisfying seeing the new colour pop through. Should I moisturise twice a day?

I've always wanted to get a tattoo but i kept holding it off because I wanted a meaningful piece. So when we had an event about healing elements of hand-poked tattoos and a seemingly elderly traditional tattoo practitioner was invited to talk and do live tattooing, I grabbed the opportunity to have one as I thought it was perfect timing to do so. I have been struggling lately and going through rough patches, and the event was about "healing" so I didn't hesitate to participate. I had full trust knowing this was done in a respectable institution.

However, as I went home that day, I was overcome with absolute regret as I was looking at the outcome. I chose the design as it symbolized healing but the proportions and alignment were not done properly. It looks like a kid just decided to practice tattooing on my skin. Now I'm not expecting a perfect outcome as I know it was not the point of this type of tattoo. But it just looked absolutely horrible. I was looking for "healing" but honestly, I feel slightly traumatized. I now have another problem to think about. I'm so ashamed to be seen with it. How do I deal with this regret? I'm one more bad decision away from spiralling down. Instead of having a positive memorable first tattoo, i'm now looking into covering it up or getting it removed.

After getting a bunch of advice about a huge back piece being my first. I decided to simmer down to something less lethal. I think a design like this would be sweet going from the back of my ear down to my wrist. not sure how bad hands would yet just yet. any thoughts?

and no im not getting my hand done

Edit: Im getting alot of backlash on the design, imma note here that its not an immediate or urgent request, im just looking at inspo for my first tattoo. So if you have other recommendations rather then calling it shit. That would be nice.

Hey guys,

So long story short, I have some brutal scars on my left arm from a dog bite. With my bite I do have nerve damage in that arm that make some areas numb and skin tighter. Does anyone have advice on finding a scar covering artist and if you are an artist, what is your guidelines around scars?

I’ve googled info but it’s all pretty generic, I would just like to get advice without bugging a bunch of artists

I recently got a tattoo from an artist who’s been tattooing for about 1–2 years. She’s done several of my other tattoos, and they all turned out great, so I was surprised by how badly this one went. For some reason, she used a larger needle and moved much slower than usual. The tattoo was incredibly painful, even after the session, and it was noticeably redder than my other tattoos. By the next morning, it looked awful. When I showed her, she initially refused to take responsibility and kept suggesting that I had done something wrong with my aftercare, implying that I had caused an infection. I showed photos to several veteran tattoo artists with 10+ years of experience, and they all agreed that it looked like the tattoo had been severely overworked. I still went to urgent care, paid for the visit, and received antibiotics and other medication. Throughout this entire process, she showed very little concern and didn’t offer to make things right until I repeatedly pushed the issue and showed her what other experienced artists had said. Only then did she apologize, saying it had never happened to her before and that she didn’t know what to do. Eventually, she offered to cover up the tattoo, but whenever I tried to discuss ideas or ask for advice, she’d leave me on read. I finally reached out to the shop owner, who was absolutely furious when he saw the damage. He immediately offered to refund me and cover up the tattoo for free because he didn’t feel that work like that should be coming out of his shop. He showed me far more compassion and accountability than the artist herself. When he confronted her, her excuse was that the situation had traumatized her. I understand that making a mistake like this can be upsetting, especially for a newer artist, but I honestly couldn’t believe she was framing herself as the victim when I’m the one who has to live with the damage to my arm. What makes this more frustrating is that I had a personal relationship with her and had trusted her with multiple tattoos. I tried to be as understanding and polite as possible, but I never want her tattooing me again. For comparison, another female artist at the same shop, who’s only been tattooing for 3–4 years, showed me genuine concern, checked in on me, and offered advice about healing. She had completed an apprenticeship, too. The artist who tattooed me is around 23, self-taught, and has openly talked about not needing an apprenticeship because she’s doing so well. I’m not saying every self-taught artist is bad, or that newer artists never make mistakes. What bothers me is the complete lack of accountability, the initial attempts to blame me, and the fact that she seemed more concerned about how the situation made her feel than the damage I was left with. Am I wrong for being this upset with her? I know mistakes happen, but I feel like the way she handled the aftermath was almost worse than the mistake itself.

I’m wanting to finish off my current arm tattoo into a sleeve but wanting examples.
I like the look of floral, botanical, leaves, vines, and maybe a hummingbird. I want it to be cohesive but not dark.

I also like the look of a wrap around around my forearm but unsure if it would flow well??

Examples or advice would be helpful

Got this tattoo three days ago it’s a sick tattoo and my first full color tattoo I’ve had ones before with slight color. I’m worried this is a sign of something worse. It eats up the moisturizer like it’s candy I’m worried about the cracking and build up on the color

I've got this done 4 weeks ago as my first Tattoo. It's on the inside of my forearm, right beneath my elbow ditch. I also followed the aftercare to the letter.

Now the lines are pretty inconsistent/splotchy in some places and I'm worried it won't get better. I've included a photo from right after it was finished, if that helps in any way.

Should I give it more time to heal? Or should I get them to touch it up? (free the first two months)

I just want to know if this looks normal for the timeframe it's in.

I'm new to all of this. Help would be greatly appreciated.

Don’t mind the ink leaks or my dog licking my foot while I tried to take these lol

I think my artist did a really good job on the sides and front, but I’m not sure about the back, I also feel like some of the rocks kinda look strange but that could be the ink leaks too.

I’d love some advice on if I should get the piece worked on more or any other options you guys might have, kinda hoping that hair growth back over it will help

It’s a fake neck tattoo but I do have real tattoos going down to one of my hands. I’ve been wanting a neck tattoo for over 10 years, and I know it is a big commitment. I came on here to ask for unbiased opinions instead of my family and friends. Do you think I can pull of a neck tattoo? I am not trying to fish for compliments. Just answer yes or no. Thanks!

basically as title says, i got this done today by a professional place in my city and im now massively overthinking it. all my friends say it looks good but idk.

im also feeling kinda low because of it.

but TIA.

I got this tattoo years ago thinking it was cool to do bullets instead of stars. Is it possible to get it touched up and fixed in a way to put stars in it or have any suggestions?

Working on a traditional leg sleeve and starting to wonder if I'm going about it wrong size-wise.

Pretty much everything I have so far is big. The skull and rose are healed, the mandala/eagle over my knee is new from last week so it's still peeling in the pics.

I like the pieces, not regretting them or anything, I went big on purpose. I just keep thinking am I gonna run out of space quick and wish I had mixed in some smaller stuff? Or is it gonna be a pain to fill in the gaps later and make it all look like it goes together?

For people who've actually finished a leg, did you do it like this or go more patchwork with smaller pieces? Would you do the same thing again?

Curious what other people think, I like how it's coming out so far I'm just thinking ahead to the rest of the leg.

I feel like the rock next to the face is wayyy dark and messes it up what do yall think? And anyway to fix it?

We had to move the tail slightly to avoid the butterfly.

Now that I’m looking closer at it I feel as though it’s too skinny? Weird shape? Looks.. off? I’m also planning on getting shading done down the road. I may be seriously overthinking this. Thanks everyone ❤️

Hello,

There’s an artist in my city who does this style of tattoo I really love, translucent black flowers, but I’m not sure how it would look as it ages. Any ideas? My fear is that because there aren’t a lot of hard lines it would blur and fade until it doesn’t look good any more. However I have no experience with tattoos so I really have no idea.

Thanks!

If anyone has palm tattoos then please can I see what the first try looks like healed? Thank you in advance. 😊

Is it possible to cover up my entire left arm sleeve? The upper half was started about 4 months ago, but I’m unhappy with how it turned out. The candle drips look too creamy rather than realistic, and the transition between my other tattoo and the candles feels awkward, with barely any fading to blend everything together. I didn’t go back for the second session because I realized the artist’s style wasn’t what I wanted. The lower half is about 5 years old and is a religious piece. I grew up in a strict religious household and originally got it because I was worried about getting scolded for getting tattoos (i know i know). Over the years, I started researching the religion for myself and realized I didn’t agree with a lot of its beliefs. I’ve been considering covering up the lower half for years, and after doing more research recently, I’m confident it’s what I want. No disrespect to anyone’s beliefs, it’s just no longer something I personally connect with.
My right arm is almost fully done with the artwork i truly wanted now, and now its time for my left again & I’ve realized I prefer darker black-and-grey work with heavier shading. I’m open to going pretty dark if necessary. Do you guys think covering up both halves is realistically possible, and what kind of designs would work best? I’d appreciate any honest advice!

If you get a few tattoos on the lower leg, what is the best way to place them. Is it on both sides of the shin so it wraps around? Or is it 1 on the back of the calf and one over the shin.

I have a full sleeve I'm doing over 3 sessions (linework, forearm colour, upper arm colour).

The linework session went and healed totally fine. I just did my first colour half a couple weeks ago. The majority of it looks and has been healing great with no issues, but even from right after the session I could tell I had 3 or 4 chewed up bits that did scab up a little. I tried to be as careful as possible with the scabs but they've all come off and took the colour out with them.

My artist acknowledged as we were finishing the session that I would probably need some touch ups (my first tattoo artist never said that, is this because she recognized she was heavy handed in some places?) so I'm going to bring up touching up those spots, and that they scabbed up. Should I say anything else? Is this completely normal for a sleeve?

FWIW - this session was about 5 hours straight; the design is completely her's, so what I'm asking for isn't out of her wheelhouse or anything. Going to another artist is not something I'm considering as the majority of the tattoo looks amazing, I just don't want to offend her or her craft. My last tattoo was 6hrs straight and did not scab at all or need touch ups (thigh).

I’ve had multiple tattoos but this is the second by this artist, the first tattoo was an absolute walk in the park, no bruises and healed perfectly! I adore my new piece but I’ve gotten some really bad bruising this time.
Ive never bruised with a tattoo before and I didn’t know if it warranted a doctor’s visit? The tattoo is on my upper arm and the bruise has spread right round my arm, it’s a big yellow bruise and it’s actually very painful the tattoo itself is not painful or hot. Just usual healing itchy feelings! It definitely doesn’t feel infected or anything. (I’ve had one infected tattoo before years ago, so I remember what it felt like, cause that shit hurt) but I didn’t know if I should maybe pop to the doctor to check it out? The pics aren’t great but the bruising goes all round the tattoo and almost meets at the inside of my arm. Also still have another session to finish this piece!

I have an idea for a larger tattoo that I want done on my back. I’m between 2 artists right now and I don’t know how to decide.

note:
- i’m looking to get a vase with some small designs on it & flowers coming out .. i’m also an anxious person when it comes to deciding between 2 things so please bear with me !
- i love both artists styles and how unique they are

Artist #1 is from my home state (i’m currently in college 3 hours away) but is usually pretty booked out. their books will open on specific dates but their books fill up pretty quick , especially for custom tats. i don’t have any tats from this artist , but i would love to get one , though i’d have to ask for a specific timeframe for when im on college break. (because it’s a larger project i would like to get it done before im home for summer break) this artist has also done SOME similar vase tattoos to what im looking for , but around 2 years ago — but they have done a lot of floral tattoos that i love.

Artist #2 is only an hour away from me , and i’ve gotten a tattoo from her before. her books are more open and flexible , and i also love her art. though , for what i’m looking for , she’s never done a project exactly like what im looking for ? so the only reason why i’d be weary about going is for that. she’s done a lot of floral tattoos , which i also love , but no vase tattoos which worries me a bit.

if anyone has ever been between multiple artists and has been indecisive between the two , please give me advice !! anything is appreciated.

I’ve started to notice the lines are seeming less sharp than when I first got it done a few days ago. This is my first tattoo and I guess I’m curious if it’s going to look poorly done when it’s healed.
I’m pretty happy with it but I want it to heal well.