First tattoo Japanese style

king909

I've been reading through a lot of these forums and there is plenty of debate on best shop/ best artist in the country. And many names keep reappearing.

I am hoping to get my first tattoo in the coming month or so and I want it to be a koi fish on the side of my right calf. It's a fairly large calf at that(for the sake of being as detailed as possible).

I want to have as much detail and bright colours as possible so it's really striking. And I just have 2 questions as I have no references (friends or family with tattoos) to go on.

Firstly I was wondering if anyone here could give me a guide price as to what this should cost. It's no important really as I want the best as its going to be there forever but I don't want to be shafted either.

And most importantly who are the best Japanese style artists in dublin and/or the surrounding areas.

I'd appreciate any help any of you could offer. Cheers

Marty McFly

The best without a doubt is Chris Crooks up in White Dragon Tattoo up in Belfast but he has a long waiting list about two years but gives yeh plenty of time to save, Joe Myler down in J.M.D in Waterford does some lovely work aswell, then there is Paul Aherne in Dublin in Spilled Ink who has been pushing recently to do more Japanese style work and only today popped up some nice Japanese stlye on his Facebook.

As for price here no one here can give you a detailed price all depends on how much detail, colour or black and grey, size etc only an artist after a consultation can give you a rough estimate.

king909

Thanks a million man. I seen pawel from skin city mentioned a few times. I've seen one amazing looking koi done by him in his portfolio. I'm just not sure if I should get it done by someone that specialised in that style.

Pawel is undoubtedly very talented. I'm just trying to make sure it's something I'm going to be happy to have forever.

Esoteric_

king909 wrote: »

Thanks a million man. I seen pawel from skin city mentioned a few times. I've seen one amazing looking koi done by him in his portfolio. I'm just not sure if I should get it done by someone that specialised in that style.

Pawel is undoubtedly very talented. I'm just trying to make sure it's something I'm going to be happy to have forever.

Pawel is stellar, but specialises in black and grey if I remember correctly. Purely because you want yours in colour, I'd go with one of Marty's recommendations.

king909

Thanks a million both of you. I'll definitely take everything you said into consideration.

Adiboo

Esoteric_ wrote: »

Pawel is stellar, but specialises in black and grey if I remember correctly. Purely because you want yours in colour, I'd go with one of Marty's recommendations.

I wouldn't say Pawel specialises in black and grey, most of the work in his portfolio is colour.

Star Lord

Esoteric_ wrote: »

Pawel is stellar, but specialises in black and grey if I remember correctly. Purely because you want yours in colour, I'd go with one of Marty's recommendations.

He does a lot of black and grey simply because it's what people ask for, and some of it because it suits the dark style stuff he does too but from when he did my bio-mech heart, he does awesome colour work and likes doing it too.

Esoteric_

I wasn't saying he doesn't do colour work. Just that he seems to excel in black and grey.

Dermighty

Pawel told me he prefers colour when I asked him which he prefers, ironically I don't like his colour work but I think his B&W is awesome.

gregers85

if you where willing to travel keep an eye on All Star Ink in Limerick! Ross is excellent at both colour and black and grey japanese style himself but if you really wanted a specialist they always have guest artists coming over! this year already they have had Matt Beckerich, Jojo Ackermann, Kris Magnotti, Forrest Cavacco! All specialise in Japanese style and are all top of their fields and have huge waiting lists in the states!

king909

Thanks for all the responses. Went into paul ahern in spilled ink today. was very impressed with his work and was an absolute gentleman. booking myself in for a piece next week. The tip was much appriciated.

innad

king909 wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses. Went into paul ahern in spilled ink today. was very impressed with his work and was an absolute gentleman. booking myself in for a piece next week. The tip was much appriciated.

Hi king909, think I was there getting my half sleeve done with Paul when you called in??

king909

innad wrote: »

Hi king909, think I was there getting my half sleeve done with Paul when you called in??

Yes I did indeed. I seen the pictures how that turned out. Looks absolutely stunning. Booked in for the 13th. Honestly can't come soon enough.

innad

king909 wrote: »

Yes I did indeed. I seen the pictures how that turned out. Looks absolutely stunning. Booked in for the 13th. Honestly can't come soon enough.

Ah thanks dude. Good luck with yours, don't forget to share a pic when it's done! Great choice for a first tattoo

allez

Dunno about best shop etc... Look at the portfolio of the artist, bring in reference material and a solid idea. There are good enough artists around the capital to complete a pretty nice tattoo.

For reference look at the likes of Fillip Leu, Kian Forreal, Mike Rubendall, Trevor McStay, Henning Jorgenson, Troy Denning, Chris O'sullivan to Name but a few...

Chris up in Belfast is without doubt the best youl get in the country from what ive seen, Its up there on a world scale. A lot of the good artists around Dublin seem really into their realism and black and grey. Theres not a lot of Japanese specialist but ive seen good work from spilled ink and Dublin art tattoo. Michele has since moved to a studio in sandyford but check out his portfolio (google dublin art tattoo) I have a chest piece in progress from his pal Cris who has now taken over his shop and i really like what he's doing.

I also have a half sleeve of a koi from leigh guerrine whos out of his private studio in tallagh.

Both Pieces are still in progress, but so far so good! heres a photo of where im at after my last session with leigh on my arm.

Luke Martin whos now working in snakebite did a wonderful owl inspired japanese piece on my leg too, il try find a pic! I know luke personally hes a top bloke and his work is solid!