First timer with a few questions

Ayrtonf7

I'm sure you are all very familiar with the classic "I really want one but I'm just waiting for the right idea". Well I am and have been for about 3 or 4 years now. The other day I finally decided to bite the bullet and sat down to think it out. Finally, after 4 years,I figured out what style (minimal/geometric) and what design (the 8 planets in our solar system, preferably to scale) I wanted.

I don't really know anybody with a minimal/geometric tattoo, most of my friends are into Celtic, Asian and tribal so I'm finding it hard to find any Irish artists who are interested/specialise in those styles. Would any of you have any recommendations? I've had a look at the tattoo artists thread but most of the artists links are out of date.

I was also wondering about the actual consultation/design phase. Would it be common enough for somebody to come in with an idea and design sketch or is it best to just leave it with the artist and let them do their thing?

What would you think about mixing styles? I really like the colours that you can get from water colouring. Is this is a difficult technique to get done? I dont know about mixing it together with minimal, one with the other doesnt really make sense.

I know that people say you get what you pay for so I want to make sure I get it done properly and that it wont look bad or be out of place. How much would you expect to pay for say a 200mm x 60mm area? Is there anything else I should keep in mind when trying to find an artist?

Thanks for your time, lookin forward to reading any advice or suggestions!

Ayrtonf7

http://imgur.com/a/P3P9N

Here is a mock up of what I was thinking. At the moment I think it looks a little bare to me. I'd like to incorporate some lines into it somewhere, maybe one running through the centre of every planet? Or one linking one planet to another? I want to avoid adding lines for the sake of it at the same time.

Any advice, suggestions, critiques?

Bluefoam

My tattoo's are minimalist & geometric, but for my main piece I wanted to use colour too... I didn't know of an artist who specialised in what I wanted, so I prioritised what I wanted, chose an artist and pushed them to the limit... I worked with Monica Gomes a freehand artist, who has now moved to Lisbon, but I worked 50/50 with her style & and asked her to adapt 50% to my style. The result was outstanding, but wouldn't suit a purist.

From your design you will want someone with a steady hand, very clean and consistent line work & I'd be asking about future bleed and fading & what techniques can be used to avoid it. I have a circle that has bled out a little and changed colour very slightly as well as the consistency of the line not being 100% perfect... but it is more than acceptable to me, as it was done with traditional bamboo technique... My ideas are based around contemporary designs, but traditional techniques... so inconsistencies are acceptable and built into the design.

Sorry I can't give you direct advice on an artist... But Monica has some interesting geometric work... https://www.instagram.com/monitattoo/?hl=en

Ayrtonf7

Bluefoam wrote: »

My tattoo's are minimalist & geometric, but for my main piece I wanted to use colour too... I didn't know of an artist who specialised in what I wanted, so I prioritised what I wanted, chose an artist and pushed them to the limit... I worked with Monica Gomes a freehand artist, who has now moved to Lisbon, but I worked 50/50 with her style & and asked her to adapt 50% to my style. The result was outstanding, but wouldn't suit a purist.

From your design you will want someone with a steady hand, very clean and consistent line work & I'd be asking about future bleed and fading & what techniques can be used to avoid it. I have a circle that has bled out a little and changed colour very slightly as well as the consistency of the line not being 100% perfect... but it is more than acceptable to me, as it was done with traditional bamboo technique... My ideas are based around contemporary designs, but traditional techniques... so inconsistencies are acceptable and built into the design.

Sorry I can't give you direct advice on an artist... But Monica has some interesting geometric work... https://www.instagram.com/monitattoo/?hl=en

Thanks for the reply, I think I might spend a couple of hours tonight on google trying to root out an artist. Are there any other Irish based forums artists hang around on or is my best bet to browse through Facebook/Instagram.

Wow a bambooed tattoo? I think I'd seen one on the Discovery channel years ago but I never thought they'd still be in use.

Bluefoam

Ayrtonf7 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, I think I might spend a couple of hours tonight on google trying to root out an artist. Are there any other Irish based forums artists hang around on or is my best bet to browse through Facebook/Instagram.

Wow a bambooed tattoo? I think I'd seen one on the Discovery channel years ago but I never thought they'd still be in use.

I'm not sure if there's other forums for Tattoo's... but this place can be quite active... someone will probably be along soon to recommend a good artist. There seem to be a few in Dublin who get good feedback, as well as some in Cork & Limerick.

I got the bamboo done in Asia... It's a small tattoo, but very meaningful to me & it was cool to have it done with a pointy stick... I was travelling with my little brother at the time & he got something more elaborate done.

Paul Ahern seems to do some nice linework, but I haven't seen much geometry from him: http://paulaherne.tumblr.com/

joey100

Wagner in Dublin Ink does a fair bit of geometric tattoos, he's on instagram (wagner Basei), can't link as I'm in work. His stuff is really clean and precise.

Darragh Locke in Colourworks has started to do some as well, hasn't done as much as Wagner and probably a slightly different take on it but does some great stuff too. Be worth checking them both out.

I think there is another artist in Dublin Ink who does similar enough stuff as well, just can't remember their name, if you look on their facebook page you can check out the different people in there. Think Wagner is the main person for that style in there though.

Ayrtonf7

Cheers for the recommendations! I'll have a look at their work over the weekend and if I see somebody I like I'll give them a call. Would you recommend meeting face to face with a few tattooists before selecting one?

When it comes to agreeing on a number, is there normally wiggle room or is it a take it or leave it kind of figure?

Also tweaked my first idea a little. I definitely think it looks a bit better without all the black. I'm thinking I should probably try to get a few more ideas down before I settle on my first iteration though