Anyone else considering a tattoo?

[3luckystars]

I have been eyeing up these watercolour tattoos for the last few years, and am thinking of getting one. (not anywhere visible, probably across my stomach or side) I called in to a tattoo shop but I have to really know what I want, how big and an exact description so I just thought I'd post here and hope for any advice.

I am just wondering if any of you have tattoos, are they big or small ones, or do you like them at all? I quite like the big rambling ones, but that would probably be a huge job so I would need to be 100% sure.

I'm definitely going to think about it for a while before I do anything but would love any advice or ideas.

[3luckystars]

I said 'Watercolour' but I don't know the technical name for it.
I like these ones here.

[3luckystars]

And this one also

[Takethemdown]

I had my first tattoo this year at 39 and I have to say its a bit addictive. I definitely would have more if I could afford.
Mine is only a small one and is in a place where it is not constantly visible.

I do like the water colour ones but I was too coward to have one that big as my first.

[WeLoveHaribo]

I have 3 small ones. One i still like, one i hate and one needs re-colour (but i may cover it with some other design)
They are addictive and i am planning to have def 1 poss 2 covered. Mine are 20-25 years old! They are in places you can only see if have underwear/swimwear on! I wouldnt ever get a sleeve or big one, but thats just me. Im looking at butterfly, hearts, stars, flowers that kind of thing!

[BexleyRae]

I have 12 tattoos, ranging from terrible ones picked from the tattooists wall in my youth, to a couple of big pieces drawn up by the tattooist. I havent had any for a while now as I have money, but its definitely addictive.
Do your research into what you want and then go talk to some artists, but be prepared to pay at least £50 per hour, any cheaper and walk away

[Takethemdown]

Yeah the junior tattooists here charge £50 an hour and £70 for the senior guy.

And that was the cheapest not dodgy one I found.

All of those would take more than one sitting I reckon. Especially for a first tattoo unless your pain threshold is high.

[Ollivander84]

I have 9, and two huge thigh pieces
This one took around 5hrs

[3luckystars]

I don't think I'm good with pain! I dropped something on my finger on Sunday and am still complaining about it.
I'm 40 now, maybe it's some sort of crisis? I should really think some more about it before I do it, or maybe start with a small one as advised. Is the pain like the dentist or far worse?

They are so lovely though, they are like works of art. I think it would make me really happy.

[KirstenRaymonde]

I have...8... I think?! I honestly forget they’re there and some are quite big and colourful, a few with words. They become part of your body very quickly. I’m not finished but haven’t had any new ones in a few years.

That style will be someone’s specialism, don’t just go to anyone, actually seek out an artist who does that style and ask to see lots of their previous work. There’s no qualifications for tattooing and the difference between tattooists is huge. Like all artists, they also have their own styles and preferences. Ie: you wouldn’t go to a cartoon style specialist for a realistic piece.

[KirstenRaymonde]

The pain really varies around the body. My thigh was fine, my ribs were horrendous! (Probably why I haven’t finished that piece!) My mum got her first at 53, sod age, do what you like.

[GenuineQuestionHere]

Go for it, OP. My mum is 63 and considering one. I think she's over-thinking it and just needs to see one she likes and do it!

I don't have any and I never would but I think they can look great on some people

[TheHeraldOfAndraste]

I have 4 which are all blackwork, including a large backpiece which I'll be getting more work on next Friday. I have my first one with colour booked for August.

Pain depends on location and your individual threshold. I found the outlining on my back incredibly painful but my forearms barely regustered.

[gamerchick]

I'm 40 now, maybe it's some sort of crisis

Heh mine hit at 43, I'm looking at tattoos as well. 3d ones though. Sod age, go treat yourself.

[SacharissaCrisplock]

I had my first two at 41 and one is a watercolour style. I say go for it if you want one.

[DaisyChainsForever]

I have a water colour tattoo. I love it! It's so unusual and people always comment on it when they see it.

[Branleuse]

I'm always thinking of new tattoos but I think i will do it in September as it's not good to expose them to the sun for the first few months so will wait till after summer

[thedevilinablackdress]

My advice would bet look on Instagram for artists who specialise in this style that are in reasonable travelling distance for you.

[BobbinThreadbare123]

I have a small handful, small to medium in size, all blackwork. The lower back ones were more painful that the arm ones. Legs OK, anywhere bony is a bit more painful. However, it's an unusual pain in that it ceases straight away when the needle is removed. There might be a little ache when the whole piece is done. I love mine and I'm planning more. You can only see two of them when I have short sleeves; the rest are hidden.

[ForTheLoveOfCakes]

I have 9. One of which took 15+ hours.

I'd make sure you find a tattoo artist who specialises in the type of tattoo you want.

The problem with tattoos is some artists won't turn you away, even if they aren't massively capable of achieving what you want. Research is key and sometimes waiting a long time for the right person to have availability.

I'm booked in for my next one in December.

[FrankFrankSam]

I have one, got it in my very late 30s. Totally regret it. Think it was a bit of a mid life crisis implulse thing (though i did contemplate it for over a year so not too impulsive).

I hate the way it looks when i look at it from different angles and my skin is stretched and i regret jumping on the tattoo bandwagon. DCs now want them when they are older and i'm not happy about that either. Oh well. Wish i had bought a Porsche or got breast implants instead.

[GrannyGrissle]

Did the one in the 4th photo go horribly wrong?

[3luckystars]

That’s the one I love the most!

[MrsPeacockDidIt]

My newest tattoo is a watercolour one and I LOVE it. I actually had one removed the same month as I didn’t like where it was and it was very old. I had my first at 19 and my latest at 47. It’s medium size and very noticeable as it’s on my inner arm. I’ll try and post a picture. It’s two origami birds for my two sons whose names both have some connection to do with birds

[makeupmaven]

I have a tiny heart outline on my inner wrist. It's my only one but I always get compliments on it. I don't really want any more as I found that one super painful!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Mine is years old ( had it done at 28, I'm 52 now) , most of the time I forget its there and people are surprised when I tell them.
I don't ever wish it away but I won't have another.(though it could do with the colour being refreshed maybe)

Painwise it was like falling and scraping the palm of my hand. I picked my shoulder because the skin is still taut and I can cover or expose it as I wish.