X marks the spot

legspin

I want a tattoo. Simples really. I have the design but I would like advice on what is possible and what questions I should be asking. In my minds eye it isn't that complicated a pattern but there is some intricate and quite delicate celtic scroll work on the outer ring. I would like it to be about the size of an LP with it's centre between my shoulder blades. It will be monochromatic.
I would like to get it done before Lammas Day (1st of August) if possible.

I have no idea about where to go or on what actually to ask for in terms of finish or preparations I should do for it.

I am currently in North Co. Dublin and a little tied down in everyday life but a certain amount of travelling won't be an issue.

Thank you

l.

Chikablam

For intricate work, Cris Gherman might be your best bet, though I'm not sure how much celtic stuff he does

murfinho

Sounds cool, what kind of design is it?

I'll put forward the usual "talk to an artist" reply here, it sounds like a cliché by now by it really is your best bet.

Search for artists that do that kind of design / celtic work, check out their porfolio online and call in for a chat, bring the design with you etc.

legspin

Ah yes, the design.
Celtic warrior band from my wedding ring on the outer rim, perhaps an inch and a half to two inches in thickness, a large triskel occupying the majority of the centre section with a capital letter X either at the centre of the triskel or overlaid on it.

legspin

Etiquette question.
What are the do's and don'ts with regards apprentices? I understand that newer folk both want and need practice but what would you feel comforable with leaving an apprentice do if your first choice wasn't immediately available?

Star Lord

Everyone has to start somewhere, so as long as I saw some of their work and was satisfied that they could do what I want, I'd have no real problem with it.

Esoteric_

legspin wrote: »

Etiquette question.
What are the do's and don'ts with regards apprentices? I understand that newer folk both want and need practice but what would you feel comforable with leaving an apprentice do if your first choice wasn't immediately available?

It's all a matter of personal preference in that instance, tbh. I personally wouldn't want an apprentice to do very intricate work, purely because I would be afraid they might mess it up. That said, some apprentices do great work!

If you've seen a studio you like a particular artist in, who also has an apprentice, have a look online for the apprentice's work to see if it suits the style/intricacy that you want.

If you're going for a Celtic style, both Paul and Bart in Reinkarnated have done a few nice Celtic pieces, some of which are fairly detailed/intricate -

http://www.reinkarnateddublin.com/galleries

Fran in Zulu has also done one or two Celtic pieces. He's only been tattooing since 2009, but his work is very good IMO.

http://zulutattoodublin.com/Artists/Fran

They're the artists I like who I've noticed have done some Celtic work.

Aside from that, Rob Mulligan in Colourworks, while not specialising in Celtic work, does some lovely intricate, detailed work -

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150269849440004.481541.890345003&type=3

Pawel in Skin City is always good to go to, too.

Hope that helps a little.

endacl

legspin wrote: »

I am currently in North Co. Dublin and a little tied down in everyday life but a certain amount of travelling won't be an issue.

Oh go on then. I'll babysit. Usual rates apply.

legspin

endacl wrote: »

Oh go on then. I'll babysit. Usual rates apply.

Ok, but be gentle this time.

legspin

First real draft. Still some design work to go but certainly won't be a million miles from the finalised work I hope. Sorry it's so big on screen.

piercingdanny

If you're looking for celtic then in my opinion this guy is doing some of the best celtic in Ireland. He's based in cork so it would be a bit of a travel but I think he guests in dublin from time to time.
http://www.facebook.com/david.barry.3386?fref=ts

legspin

piercingdanny wrote: »

If you're looking for celtic then in my opinion this guy is doing some of the best celtic in Ireland. He's based in cork so it would be a bit of a travel but I think he guests in dublin from time to time.
http://www.facebook.com/david.barry.3386?fref=ts

He may just be the guy. Thank you.

piercingdanny

No worries at all. I've met him at a convention once. Extremely lovely and down to earth guy. His style should be just up your street !

murfinho

piercingdanny wrote: »

If you're looking for celtic then in my opinion this guy is doing some of the best celtic in Ireland. He's based in cork so it would be a bit of a travel but I think he guests in dublin from time to time.
http://www.facebook.com/david.barry.3386?fref=ts

That's a quality portfolio for Celtic stuff. I would travel for that kind of work...

legspin

This is exactly the triskel I want. Not with the geometric pattern but underlaid on the X. I think Mr. Barry has a new customer.

piercingdanny

That's right up his alley !! He'lll do a great job for you !!

legspin

piercingdanny wrote: »

That's right up his alley !! He'lll do a great job for you !!

It's his drawing from his facebook page. The moment I saw it I just knew.
I didn't know how to share it directly so I photobucketed it. I sent him a pm over there so hopefully he'll get back to me.

legspin

So, progress has been made. The design should be finished by next week and I have finally made contact with Dave Barry. Should have an idea to whether it will be feasible or not pretty soon.

murfinho

legspin wrote: »

So, progress has been made. The design should be finished by next week and I have finally made contact with Dave Barry. Should have an idea to whether it will be feasible or not pretty soon.

Hah, I'm excited for you!!!

Hoping to get one from Dave in the next year... Some serious stuff on his portfolio. Good luck, and post pics!!

legspin

More progress. Meeting Dave next tuesday. He's coming to Dublin so I don't have to travel far. Only problem is the design won't be finished by then though.

Orim

Is he just up in Dublin or is he guesting somewhere?

legspin

He said he was doing some work in a private (?) studio in Firhouse. Said he was here for a week so he must be working a bit.

legspin

So anyway, after a 24 hour delay I met Dave last night with the still fairly nebulous ideas I have for the tattoo. He had the idea within seconds and all the details were sorted within ten minutes.
According to Dave we should be able to get a good start by the end of May and be able to finish it by the end of June. Two, possibly three, sessions should see the entire thing finished.

And the anticipation ramps up another few notches.

legspin

First draft finally arrived in my inbox today. Apart from the triskel being the wrong way around I absolutely bloody love it.

endacl

legspin wrote: »

First draft finally arrived in my inbox today. Apart from the triskel being the wrong way around I absolutely bloody love it.

Gorgeous.

murfinho

Class!

legspin

Haven't been around here much recently. Way too busy in RL.

Design 2.0. Triskel the right way around and in proper proportion to the x. Not mad about the birds in this one, but I was talking to Dave on Friday and we have ironed out that particular conundrum.

Getting very close.

endacl

Starting to look a little busy. Maybe some subtle colour on the 'X', so it doesn't get obscured by the rest? The 'X' is the important bit...

legspin

endacl wrote: »

Starting to look a little busy. Maybe some subtle colour on the 'X', so it doesn't get obscured by the rest? The 'X' is the important bit...

There won't be as much clutter underneath as there is here.

endacl

legspin wrote: »

There won't be as much clutter underneath as there is here.

I don't like the word 'clutter'. I prefer 'a surfeit of players, o'er generous for the stage'!

legspin

Been a while since I've been around here and I thought I should update this.

Finally got around to starting this last week with Dave Barry.



Still a fair bit to go yet but I'm no longer a tattoo virgin...

endacl

legspin wrote: »

Been a while since I've been around here and I thought I should update this.

Finally got around to starting this last week with Dave Barry.



Still a fair bit to go yet but I'm no longer a tattoo virgin...

Looks bigger on here!

legspin

endacl wrote: »

Looks bigger on here!

The lack of perspective is quite startling actually.

Adiboo

Dave posted a photo on his Facebook page. I'll embed it here, a nice tattoo like that deserves to be seen properly.

legspin

Yes I saw that alright. His has a slightly better sense of scale.
The one thing I don't like about his photo is it shows just how asymmetrical my shoulders are....