Questions for the Tattooist

Part 2 of 7 ~ tattoo education
as I partook in this experience in the Fall of 2000.

Dedicated to the whole truth - my experience ~ from the beginning of the idea to the end of the first week of recovery.

August 2nd, 2000 - After deciding on a design I met with a tattooist to ask some basic questions. I really did not know much about price or pain or style or colours or how much the artist puts into a design idea that the client brings in.

I made an appointment and my husband and I met with the tattooist, saw his studio and some of his work up on the wall. He showed us the equipment and explained that all needles are new and are opened in front of the client to see that this is the case. I was comfortable speaking to him even if his looks were not "typical" of a small town businessman. He was covered in tattoos and wore a few piercings. Ok, so he advertises his work. I was comfortable - that was the first thing I was wondering about.

Q: Which area of the body would be the best for a beginner to get tattooed re: pain?
A: Each area of the body {chest to legs - fatty to boney} will feel different when pricked with a needle - "oh, yeah right. Isn't pain ‘PAIN’?" - was my first reaction. It would be best for you to get the tattoo you want where you want - you may not be happy settling with something different. The tattooist and his wife both have had numerous amounts of tattoos. They both told me differences in their pain experiences when comparing tattoos on the same areas of their body. Also everyone’s pain tolerance levels are completely different. So, in other words, they couldn't answer my question. I would have to find out for myself. I'll keep you posted...

One more thing to consider: certain areas of the body compliment differently shaped tattoos better than others. ie: symmetrical tattoos look better on the lower back due to balance ie: an off-to-the-side shoulder tattoo is better for designs that are heavier on one side than the other.

Q: Can he perform Japanese style tattooing by hand vs. modern western style with machine?
A: Yes! - I was happy to hear this. I had seen the Japanese style performed and had seen the results - they are so beautifully soft - they look like velvet compared to the modern machine technique. There are a few differences in technique to consider: he prefers to perform the outline with the machine as it provides a solid border that would not show the colour bleeding as much. The inside of the tattoo can then be coloured by hand technique. The hand technique can be at least as twice as long to perform but the machine is loud and bothers some people when constantly turned off and on but it is faster. I have had experience with machine sounds fluctuating and it does bother me. I love the look of the hand technique - but would be best done on a small tat for timing.

Q: How small can a tattoo be - considering bleeding of lines and how it reacts to aging?
A: Lines that must be close together are better further apart to start with as bleeding of the colour does happen forever. Tats with a large amount of detail must be big or else over time they will eventually look too fuzzy and loose detail - possibly blending into one big mush.

Q: What about the price of a four inch tattoo or an arm band to give us a rough idea? And how long does it take to get one?
A: It would take approximately two hours depending on the detail involved for that kind of size and the price {from designing to the in-the-chair work} is approximately $200.00 for the package. Now this is a real rough estimate considering we only have an idea for a design so far.

Q: What colours can you get in a tattoo and what colours look good on the skin?
A: This man had every colour imaginable throughout his own body tattoos. It is a personal preference as to what colours goes good with ones skin. Skin tones vary. Any colour shade can be mixed and made up to use in a tattoo!

Q: How is the design created?
A: If I take in a black & white sketch or picture of what I want to start with the tattooist will then sketch up, in detail, a design that we can "work" with as anything I find will likely be modified to suit my tastes anyway. It is best to give guidelines as to what you want and what your likes and dislikes are allowing the artist to create freely yet within your tastes. It is, after all, custom art work you are searching and paying for. After he has done this, an appointment is set up to discuss and possibly modify the design. When you are happy and the final design is agreed upon your tattoo appointment is arranged.

Q: When is the best time to get a tattoo?
A: He recommended fall because during the first few weeks you can not expose your tattoo to the sun. In the fall people are generally done with sitting out in the sun and going to the beach. Chlorine is another big factor - the tattoo must be covered with a thin layer of Vaseline when swimming in chlorinated water. For long term care: the sun and chlorine fade tattoos: either protect them or have them fade.

Q: Can touch ups or cover-overs be done?
A: Touch ups to a tattoo - outline or colour can be done at any time in the future. You can also cover over a tattoo with another design if necessary.

We went home with new ideas to consider. I would have to prepare a design on paper as I was working from a broach. I would have to decide on the size, where I would have it done on the body, colours I was interested in as well as likes and dislikes in the creativity. The whole idea was not so scary now that I understood more about the business.

It also helped ease my mind to have an acquaintance recommend this particular tattooist. After being tattooed by several different tattooists before, she particularly liked this man's work and said that he was a very gentle artist compared to some. And with her having had many different experiences - this was great to know. When I asked her about the pain - she replied that some areas on the body hurt more than others - just depends.

I'm happy with the design idea I have chosen. I want to think about the size a bit before taking the art ideas to the artist. I'd like for the tattooist to recommend what to do with it {re: size}. I do not want a large tattoo but I want one that will look good with some detail and one that will compliment the small of the back or even off center a bit. I have imagined that a dragon would look best on the lower back area. I also want to consider how it might change or look in the future. This is also a factor in deciding the size and detail of the design.

Our lady friend will be having yet another {!} tattoo inked on her body next week. {September 2000} She has agreed to let me watch the "operation" so I can get a closer look at the procedure. I am excited and look forward to the appointment. I wonder what else I will learn that day about tattoos.