Question:
I've been lurking since March, and I thought this was as good a time as any
to introduce myself and ask some advice.
No, I am not asking for someone to design a tribal Jesus for me. I do want
some input as to the best way to approach my next project.
In addition to my oh-so-trendy-and-cute pierced navel and a discreet nostril
screw, I currently have two tattoos: a small ankle band I designed and
acquired a year ago, and a large piece on my back that extends from my
shoulders to my waist. (Hey, I rarely do anything half-assed!) The piece
was designed from a Japanese screen painting that I've loved for years, and
it was worth doing big. I just finished it about a month ago, and I love
it. Unfortunately for my newly-slender pocketbook, I've already begun
plotting my next large work.
I've decided to go with a half-sleeve, ending above the elbow for
convenience in covering it at work. I don't feel I'll need to hide it,
exactly (it's fine if it peeks out), but trust me, the world is *not* ready
for fully-sleeved Librarians.
I work in NYC and I already have a great artist, but I was wondering what
would be the best way to approach the design of such a large (for me) piece.
I have an idea in mind, but I'm not sure if it'll work for a sleeve. Is it
better to show the artist and see what he can do to interpret it, or would
it be better to just go in and say "No kanji, no tribal, no koi. Design
away." Is it better for the artist (and ultimately me) to be given totally
free rein, or is it safer for us both if specific desired
elements/characters are outlined in the beginning? I know this sounds like
a no-brainer question, but I really wonder, and I want to do this right.
Also, does it make a difference if have it tattooed on my right arm or my
left?
Answer:
- Where larger bodyart is applied, I am of the opinion that it's usually
better designed ON the body. It's difficult or near impossible to create
a sleeve on paper and then simply wrap it onto an arm and have it fit
nicely.
I try to create a "simulated version" of the piece as closely as I can
so that the client can review it and give me feedback on how they see
it. There's still a lot of trust involved (that it's actually going to
look like that, well, better than that..)
I'm pretty sure you've seen this before, but I'll refer to it again
anyway..
http://catbones.com/octosleeve/octo4.jpg
This shows the beginning of a sleeve, drawn on with an ink pen, shaded
by using Q-tips and alcohol to simulate the tones that would be implied
as a part of the finished piece (
http://catbones.com/octosleeve/octo8.jpg )
For smaller pieces, two dimensional representations are feasible. For
large work, drawing it directly to the body makes for a much better form
fitting, flowing piece (that is to say one that accents the body's form
much better).
- I guess that depends entirely on what your artist and yourself feel most
comfortable with. It takes a lot of trust to just say "design away",
getting a tattoo of which you don't have much of an idea how it's going
to look. Trust on both sides, what if the client gets up, looks in the
mirror and says "hey, that's not at all how I wanted it" ;).
That said, I never thought I'd be comfortable with getting a tattoo that
I haven't seen on paper beforehand, but I'll be getting just that later
this year :). I brought in a bunch of photos and jotted down my ideas,
and the tattoo will be designed on by body during the first sitting.