First tattoo

StealingYerMail · 12-13-2010, 12:56 PM

When my buddy gets back from school this winter break, we've decided to get tattoos.

I have tried for so long to think of something meaningful to me, and when I saw a couple of Lovecraft symbols, I instantly knew that was it since English and writing mean everything to me. Without H.P. Lovecraft I don't know where I would be... probably dead in a gutter.

Anyway, the ideas I have are pretty simple but I have never gotten a tattoo done before. Do I just bring in the design to that artist and let him go to work? Or do I ask him to draw it out first? Or what? I just want to make sure it isn't done half-assed.

Also, I've heard the black ink/outline hurts a lot more than the coloring -- thoughts? My logic is that if girls can get tattoos done, I shouldn't have a problem with it. I was thinking of getting it done either on a pec or my calf. I'd prefer it on my chest, but who knows what it'll look like when I get old and puddy-like.

heinous · 12-13-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealingYerMail

Also, I've heard the black ink/outline hurts a lot more than the coloring -- thoughts? My logic is that if girls can get tattoos done, I shouldn't have a problem with it. I was thinking of getting it done either on a pec or my calf. I'd prefer it on my chest, but who knows what it'll look like when I get old and puddy-like.

well, do you like hp lovecraft more than girls like attention? lol.

i never got tattoos but i heard the opposite of what you heard, that the coloring hurts more because it slightly overlaps the outline.

HClark · 12-13-2010, 01:14 PM

How much pain has more to do with the hand of the tattooist than it does whether it is the colour or the outline. I have several. One was done by a very "old school" gentleman who has been in the ink business for 50 years and was 73 when he did it. It hurt quite a lot, both the outline and the fill in colour. My others were done by a much younger artist, and there was almost no pain at all. I don't think their age has anything to do with it, per se, but there was a positive correlation.

Make sure it is something you can live with the rest of your life, and if you are a young man I would suggest putting it somewhere that it can be easily/conveniently covered. There is still a good bit of stereotype out there that can bite on the a** you if you are looking for a job, applying for a loan, meeting the gf's parents, etc..

I would further suggest that you ask around about the different artists in your area, and go visit with them a bit first, with your design ideas in hand at the time. "First available" is not necessarily the best choice all the time. Of course you could get lucky too. Hygienic practice is critical. New stuff every time is best, and nearly universal at this point.

Don't kid yourself, it does hurt. Location makes a big difference there as well.

Good luck.

ConradNorCal · 12-13-2010, 01:18 PM

Where you get the ink will determine how much it hurts, not the color.

StealingYerMail · 12-13-2010, 01:19 PM

Any thoughts on pain of calf vs pec? Both are pretty muscular on me.

ConradNorCal · 12-13-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealingYerMail

Any thoughts on pain of calf vs pec? Both are pretty muscular on me.

Idk sorry. I'm not a tattoo guy myself, I just have a friend who has his whole body covered so I know a little bit about the process.

Deuce · 12-13-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HClark

]

I would further suggest that you ask around about the different artists in your area, and go visit with them a bit first, with your design ideas in hand at the time. "First available" is not necessarily the best choice all the time. Of course you could get lucky too. Hygienic practice is critical. New stuff every time is best, and nearly universal at this point.

Don't kid yourself, it does hurt. Location makes a big difference there as well.

Good luck.

I'm fairly certain in most places that's a regulated requirement. I know I for one wouldn't patronize a place that wasn't using fresh tools or at the least had a clean functioning autoclave.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealingYerMail

Any thoughts on pain of calf vs pec? Both are pretty muscular on me.

Both of those hurt like hell, but pain is subjective everyone feels it differently. For me the chest was easier to deal with afterwards. The calf hurt for damn near a week (I have beefy legs) almost to the point I wished I had crutches.

Then again, I was in the chair for almost 6 hours and had pretty much my whole calf done. Your mileage will vary depending on size and exact location.

Finnigan · 12-13-2010, 01:25 PM

Take something sharp and scratch yourself in both locations. Which hurts more is up to you.

StealingYerMail · 12-13-2010, 01:32 PM

Is the pain (afterwards) going to be to the point where I won't be able to run if I get it on my calf? I realize pain is subjective, but if this is going to interfere with my running, it isn't going to happen on my leg.

Finnigan · 12-13-2010, 01:39 PM

It is surface pain usually. Like road rash.

12-13-2010, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
StealingYerMail Post Whore Join Date: Nov 2008	First tattoo When my buddy gets back from school this winter break, we've decided to get tattoos. I have tried for so long to think of something meaningful to me, and when I saw a couple of Lovecraft symbols, I instantly knew that was it since English and writing mean everything to me. Without H.P. Lovecraft I don't know where I would be... probably dead in a gutter. Anyway, the ideas I have are pretty simple but I have never gotten a tattoo done before. Do I just bring in the design to that artist and let him go to work? Or do I ask him to draw it out first? Or what? I just want to make sure it isn't done half-assed. Also, I've heard the black ink/outline hurts a lot more than the coloring -- thoughts? My logic is that if girls can get tattoos done, I shouldn't have a problem with it. I was thinking of getting it done either on a pec or my calf. I'd prefer it on my chest, but who knows what it'll look like when I get old and puddy-like.

12-13-2010, 01:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Finnigan Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NJ. Exit 77	Take something sharp and scratch yourself in both locations. Which hurts more is up to you. __________________ *Stay alert! Trust no-one! Keep your laser handy!* www.imperial-literature.net www.stockclasspaintball.com http://www.badgerandblade.com http://www.fountainpennetwork.com http://www.edcforums.com -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. . -.- -.-. ..--- -. -.-- .--. -.-

12-13-2010, 01:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Finnigan Post Whore Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NJ. Exit 77	It is surface pain usually. Like road rash. __________________ *Stay alert! Trust no-one! Keep your laser handy!* www.imperial-literature.net www.stockclasspaintball.com http://www.badgerandblade.com http://www.fountainpennetwork.com http://www.edcforums.com -.-. --.- -.-. --.- -.. . -.- -.-. ..--- -. -.-- .--. -.-

12-13-2010, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
HClark hammerslammer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Iowa	How much pain has more to do with the hand of the tattooist than it does whether it is the colour or the outline. I have several. One was done by a very "old school" gentleman who has been in the ink business for 50 years and was 73 when he did it. It hurt quite a lot, both the outline and the fill in colour. My others were done by a much younger artist, and there was almost no pain at all. I don't think their age has anything to do with it, per se, but there was a positive correlation. Make sure it is something you can live with the rest of your life, and if you are a young man I would suggest putting it somewhere that it can be easily/conveniently covered. There is still a good bit of stereotype out there that can bite on the a** you if you are looking for a job, applying for a loan, meeting the gf's parents, etc.. I would further suggest that you ask around about the different artists in your area, and go visit with them a bit first, with your design ideas in hand at the time. "First available" is not necessarily the best choice all the time. Of course you could get lucky too. Hygienic practice is critical. New stuff every time is best, and nearly universal at this point. Don't kid yourself, it does hurt. Location makes a big difference there as well. Good luck.

12-13-2010, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
ConradNorCal Milquetoast Join Date: Mar 2009	Where you get the ink will determine how much it hurts, not the color.

12-13-2010, 01:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
StealingYerMail Post Whore Join Date: Nov 2008	Any thoughts on pain of calf vs pec? Both are pretty muscular on me.

12-13-2010, 01:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
StealingYerMail Post Whore Join Date: Nov 2008	Is the pain (afterwards) going to be to the point where I won't be able to run if I get it on my calf? I realize pain is subjective, but if this is going to interfere with my running, it isn't going to happen on my leg.