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?

This tattoo is fabulous

This one not so much

Various in here that I particularly like - wouldn't necessarily get.

Ive rather spoiled myself watching miami ink / london ink etc they are amazing, works of art.
the average tattooist is not that brilliant.
therefore - choose your artist carefully, have a clear idea what and where you will wear it...

I'd have to disagree with the Miami Ink/London Ink stuff. I haven't watched much, but the skill levels aren't great. For instance, on this website on the first tattoo the teeth are pegged and the face wonky; on "Kat's portrait piece" the head's misshapen and the ear wrong; if you check out Kat Von D's website her portraits are frequently wonky, badly shaded or the proportions are wrong. This one is a clear example of what I'm saying - the proportions are all wrong.

Sorry, poor link - this picture's bigger.

I once read a quote (a wanky fb forward thing but never mind) that read: The difference between tattooed people and non tattooed people is that tattooed people don't care if you're not tattooed. True that.
I like mine, I like MrYuffie's. I care very little whether other people like them or not. But there are some truly VILE specimens out there. Badly designed or badly executed, or both.

Really Yuffie? I couldn't care less if you're tattooed, but I recently had someone say they couldn't believe I didn't have any tattoos. The girl then asked if I was "a bit square".

And that's totally what I hate about generalisations on forums (fora? Forae?) Someone always proves me wrong.. ;)
Generally though you're more likely to hear "why have you got tattoos" than "why haven't you got tattoos". FromEsme I think I would be inclined to call said girl "a bit of a wanker" but that's just me...

Fora is correct but so is forums.

'Fraid I fall into the loathe tattoo's camp.
Why would you want to do that to your body? - It's permanent!
I would hate to be 70 years old with crinkly tattoo's. I remember my Grandad's tattoo that he had done in the army went all sort of 'out of focus' when he got really old and wrinkly.
I don't mind Henna tattoo's,so much, because they fade, eventually.
I just can't understand why people want permanent decoration all over their bodies. But hey! That's just me.

I feel the same way about the enormous flesh tunnels people have in their ears. Yuck.It is not an attractive look. MY daughter (15, almost 16) has begun one but I have insisted she cannot go more than 5mm,and she agrees with me, so that it can be reversed if necessary.

I am not a fan, but I will begrudgingly accept that a tiny, tiny percentage of women who have tattoos actually look nice, providing they choose the design well and locate them sensibly. It's not for me though. I don't believe in gilding lilies.

Actually, that's a myth. My fiancee has had 20mm tunnels and they closed up. They say rule of the thumb anything above 10mm won't close but that's not true based on several people I know. Mine are 12mm and even if i leave them out for a week they start shrinking back pretty quickly. Also not every tattoo goes "green and ugly" when people get older anyway! For some reason, some people's skin retains and keeps ink better than others as well, you can google older people with tattoos and see the difference in how people's skin keeps ink. My first tattoo was done nearly 10 years ago and doesn't look any different so whoever said they had a 15 year life span is talking rubbish! Also, if you stick with the same artist or shop, most I've encountered will touch up for free if things have faded/gone patchy. My fiancee has tattoos on his hands and they DO fade quick on anyone and they always touch up for free.

"Why would you want to do that to your body? - It's permanent!"

There's lots of things about my body that are equally permanent that I have no choice in - my funny shaped ears, my generous sprinkling of moles, my stretchmarks, my scars, the thread veins filligreed across the backs of my thighs. It's not like we're all carved out of perfect alabaster (well - you might be, but I most def am not). When I'm old - well, I'll look old! like everyone does. I doubt I'll be showing off my upper arms or back much so I won't be offending the likes of you with my wrinkly body art.

Personally speaking I dislike small "discreet" mimsy tattoos of the star/unicorn/fairy/butterfly variety. I don't like script. I wouldn't have a portrait or standard issue rose/sugar skull/day of the dead design. I like big intricate pieces which compliment the form of the body. I had my first last year and I'm planning a second for the beginning of next year (the artist has a long waiting list so I've got in early).

Tattoos do seem to be a bit of a marmite topic - I think because there are so many truly awful ones out there, and shows like "My Tattoo Addiction" do nothing to counter people's prejudices. I was watching Antiques Roadshow last week and they had a guy on talking about how, back in the day, tattoos were as much a preserve of the aristocracy as anyone else, and how good artists travelled all over the world. Lots of people - men and women - had extensive art hiding underneath their Victorian/Edwardian clobber!

plyonic I saw puppy paws on a very ample bosom a few years ago and it really took me back, but she was very happy to have them on display, wearing a low cut top to show off the tattoos, so I figured she must be very happy with them even if it's not something I'd get done in a million years.

Thanks BigCrisps that link is great! Some really good thought processes about whether to do it, what and where, and really good advice on choosing an artist.

I'm starting to see what everyone means about different artistic styles too. Lots of thinking to do I think. I like your point about black outlines balotelli, starting to see that now. And Blue81 I get what you mean about the artist drawing it out first and laying it over the place I'd like to have it. Might roughly sketch something and try that at home too.

I've already got my list of nots (that are applicable to my tastes): not on face, neck or hands (will probably rule out those parts with pregnancy stretch marks too), not anything that includes words or faces, not something I've seen on a celebrity, not something that would scare my children, not a cartoon figure. Still lots to work out.

The problem with a man getting a portrait somewhere hairy is that the picture will soon look like a werewolf.

yes, agree that miami ink/london ink aren't great programs (from what I've seen). JammySplodger - I suggest you google Tattoo Age or Gypsy Gentleman (both available online) to get some more inspiration and a gander at what the best artists out there can do. How exciting! Not so very long ago I was in your shoes.

Some tattoos are a work of art but why do they have to be on someone's skin ? Tattoos just end up blue and green after a few years anyway - what's that all about ? Home made tattoos with a pin and Indian ink ? Don't go there !

I understand the 'tastes change' viewpoint of tattoos. The Dad of an old boyfriend of mine had a crucifix on his chest despite having no religious belief. So I always associated tattoos with old guys.

My mum's view of tattoos was to say, 'yuck', a friend of mine described tattoos as graffiti. Someone also remarked 'don't you grow out of drawing on yourself ?' I also understand that people think they are being original by having a tattoo. So, that's as original as all the other people with tattoos then.

I once knew a guy who had the name of his wife tattooed on his forearm in 2 inch big letters......to bad they were getting divorced !! I wouldn't have minded seeing the rest of his tattoes, mostly for the comedy value !!!

"Some tattoos are a work of art but why do they have to be on someone's skin ?"

Why not?

Ghetto......

Emmabemma - It doesn't offend me...its your choice obviously. I just find it difficult to understand. That's my problem.

By the way...I live in the same town as the person with the Miley Cyrus tattoos from the "My Tattoo Addiction". I think they are attrocious, but mainly because they look nothing like Miley Cyrus! Still, he's getting a lot of attention for them and is now a minor 'celebrity'.

sorry - I meant offend as in "eurgh! my eyes!" rather than "how dare you!", if you see what I mean.

I felt sorry for Miley Cyrus man. He needed psychiatric help - seemed to me that his obsession was a blatant coping mechanism after the breakdown of his marriage. He seemed really vulnerable to me.

Is it painful?

Personally I wouldn't do it - inflict permanent damage on my skin when there are other ways to decorate it if I wish. I dislike seeing people with tattoos everywhere but try to resist what I see as an irrational prejudice.