Do nice tattoos exist?

[ZombieSplodger]

I'd quite like to get a tattoo but am quite concerned that it could just look shit.

Are there any rules about getting a tattoo so it looks nice, maybe pretty, and minimises the risk of you regretting it?

Out of interest Mumofteenboys, what are your other tats?

Mine are nice. And I don't give a shite if people don't agree tbh

My tattoos are beautiful (and pretty) thank you very much.

OP - most important thing is choosing your artist carefully. Don't be afraid to go into a shop and 'interview' them, and ask for examples of their work, look them up on facebook, instagram etc, read reviews, if you can go to a Tattoo Expo, go, and see what different artist have to offer. good ones specialize, so you would not go to the same artist for a portrait as you would for a japanese style colour piece, if you see what I mean?

I hope you are thrilled with what you have done, that is the point, not what anyone else judges thinks

Again, again, again, I understand the psychology behind these type of tats....But it is unreasonable of you to get upset because somebody dares to suggest that while the sentiment behind them is beautiful, the appearance of them may not be?

Thank you lilachair that's very supportive :)

(just to clarify I'm the OP, I de-Zombified after eating lots of halloween chocolate)

I'll have a chat with the couple of people I know and see how they found local artists, and maybe go and have a chat with some of them.

mignonette

I have 2 tribal pieces, one on the top of my arm. The other across the top of my back. These were gifts from a much loved boyfriend.
I have chinese lettering on my arm, this is for my sons.
I have 2 dragons on my shoulderblades, these were done after major surgery in my 20's.
I also have a butterfly on my arm, I hate butterflies so this is to remind me about facing upto fears and overcoming them.

mignonette why do you think anyone - who has thought about their design, thought about the fact it will be on their body forever, paid a (normally) large amount of money, sat through the pain, and is pleased and happy with what they have -would give a flying one what you or anyone else thinks of them?

I find people who have beautiful tattoos like me a lot less judgemental.

No. And I have one. It's tiny and was done in a moment of extreme madness when I was 16 in a dodgy parlour in the West Country.

And it's there to stay to remind me of the dangers of being impetuous.

That's interesting about the butterflies Mumof2teenboys. A friend of mine has a tattoo of a water symbol as she's terrified of water. She suggested I had a spider tattoo. But too scared to do that.

I have a very nice tattoo - it's on the inside of my wrist and says 'calm' in cursive script- discreet and looks nice.

I love mine! And love most tats - bad tats are bad, good ones are incredible, but I am aware lots of people disagree on that point, but that's fine - don't like tats, don't get them.

I think boob jobs and nose jobs etc are far more hideous (obviously excepting reconstruction) and are actually damaging, but I don't go around having a go at people for them - its your body and no one else gets a say in what happens to it.

Pretty is relative - pretty wasn't what I was 'going for' with mine, but I think they are beautiful - a stylised b&w cobra and a realistic black and red spider, and they mean something to me and always will, and I got to chose those particular scars that my body bears.

I have spent time, money and hours in a chair to have my work done. I do not give a flying f**k what anyone thinks of them. They are special to me and only to me. I don't give a stuff how anyone else remembers significant events, it is personal to them. My artwork is the same. I chose it, I didn't ask for anyone elses opinion or views. If someone doesn't like them, don't look at them.

Ophelia, that's a great reason for keeping it . Will make sure I'm not impetuous if I go for it.

One of my clients is a tattooist (I do his taxes)

NO tattoo looks good after 15 years.
Budget for a recoat or removal

and remember that what looks cool at 25 might look rather naff at 70

If (like me) you don't like tattoos then nobody is going to convince you that they can ever look good. It's like arguing that love bites can be classy.

But...i don't give a shite what other people do to their body - I think getting a big, visible tat is foolish as it WILL affect your job chances but other than that...meh

Yes, I've seen nice tattoos. It tends to be a smallish tattoo, well designed, and on the shoulder, ankle, or inside forearm. I don't like the covered in tattoos look.

I have many that would be considered 'common 'But ilove them and luckily I don't give a flying Fondant fancy what people think. I tend to think people who use common as an insult are stuck up but hey ho they should care what people think

Interesting about tattooing fears, I'm sacred of the dark though so no idea how I would manage it

I've never seen one I would consider "nice". I've seen a couple on burly army chaps that I would describe as manly. In fact those are the only two tats I've seen that I would have anything positive to say about. But each to their own.

Yes, if done well obviously.

Hmm, not sure I want to look manly.

Nice tattoos exist......on men!

This ^^

I've never seen a nice tattoo on a woman. I have no idea why but I just don't think they suit us.

Obviously it's all personal taste.

I'm hoping to get something like this, possibly with an element of this