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Original poster

Adapting an old tattoo with a new one

32 replies

thecatsm0ther · 01/05/2015 22:37

A long time ago I had a very small tattoo done. It was on spur of the moment and cheap and not great.

I don't regret having it done, but would like to have something added to make it look better. Has anyone done that and how did you design the new tattoo, incorporating the old one?

I will speak to the guy at the tattoo parlour, but wondered if anyone had done this. I'm not very artistic, so can't design something myself, as some people do. I've seen lots on Pinterest that I really like, but not sure if they will blend in.

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avocadotoast · 01/05/2015 22:42

Oh you can definitely do it. Whether it's adding more to the one you have, or reworking the one you have into something bigger, or covering it up, it's totally doable.

Don't design it yourself. The tattooer you go to will design it; that's their job. They're the experts and they know what will work and blend well. Likewise, don't stroll in with something that you've printed off the internet. Whoever you go to should take pride in their work and take pleasure in making something better out of whatever tattoo you already have.

Have you done research into who you want to do the new tattoo? Have you looked at what style you might want? Make sure you look closely at work they've done before and then get in touch, show them your current tattoo and ask their thoughts on what can be done with it.

If you regret the one you have, you need to make sure that whatever you get done this time is perfect!

LettuceLaughton · 01/05/2015 22:46

It'll almost certainly be possible to cover it or add to it, yes. As a general rule the closest tattoo shop isn't often the best option. Once you've found a properly good tattooist then your sorted, they'll have look what's possible and come up with a design based on what you fancy and the technical requirements of changing / covering the original piece.

If you can give an idea of what you're after and where(ish) you are? We might well be able to recommend a few people.

LettuceLaughton · 01/05/2015 22:47

X post

SycamoreMum · 01/05/2015 23:00

Yep I did this. Although mines isn't small. I have the outline (think Samoan) of a feline (tail starts at nape of my neck and paws at the base of my back but its slender and follows my spine.)

So then I thought she looked abit lonely and went back to my tattooist who came up with this concept of adding a little bit of a 'story'. So she did a couple Samoan style designs at the paw representing the earth end and added an abstract butterfly to the tip of her tail. I love it.

It sounds a bit more extreme than what you have i think but like PP have said, sit down with a good tattooist and come up with a concept that you like.

Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 01/05/2015 23:15

Thanks for the replies. A local place has been recommended to me by several people and I've seen their tattoos, they're very, very good.

Ok, I thought they would expect me to have designed something. That's good to know that they will do the design. I have an idea of what I want, something in black, incorporating the moon and stars, because I'm obsessed with them

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Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 01/05/2015 23:16

I'm in North Yorkshire. Thanks for the advice

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avocadotoast · 02/05/2015 09:07

Ooh, if you're anywhere near Scarborough there's a place called North Sea Tattoo that does some good work (instagram.com/northseatattoo). It might not be the sort of thing you're after though.

Good luck with it!

LettuceLaughton · 02/05/2015 09:48

There are some amazing artists at Rain City Tattoo Collective in Manchester.

Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 02/05/2015 14:20

Not near Scarborough or Manchester.

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LettuceLaughton · 02/05/2015 16:22

Leeds then? There are good people at Sacred Electric.

A lot of people travel internationally to get tattooed, it's not at all unusual. Its something you're going to wear on your body for the rest of your life to my mind that's worth a bit of effort, research and a day trip

daftyburd · 02/05/2015 19:09

I'm going to Rome for a tattoo. Also going to Limerick but that's not as glam

SmartAlecMetalGit · 02/05/2015 19:19

All Seeing Eye at Heckmondwike (almost slap bang in the middle between Bradford, Huddersfield and Wakefield) are amazing.

Steve Wade designed and inked my most recent one (which is absolutely fabulous, I love it so much) and the other artists there are also incredibly talented. Hoping to get back there myself sometimes this year.

LettuceLaughton · 02/05/2015 19:23

Oooh! Who are you seeing? My list of Italian / Italy based artists I'd love to have something from seems to be growing very quickly ATM

Am off to have my current piece finished at the end of the month but that's pretty close to home, as it happens.

daftyburd · 02/05/2015 19:42

I would really like one by Marco Manzo. I'm saving like mad but it may never happen.
I have family living near Limerick so in Summer will get one done by Paul O'rourke. I live in Glasgow so spoiled for choice here too. I'm going to run out of body space!

LettuceLaughton · 02/05/2015 19:54

Nice stuff! If that was my bag I'd be down to London ASAP to see Jondix.

I tend to a more traditional tattoo myself. I think if I could pop over to Italy with a big pile of cash and no children I'd have to see Max Brain first, probably.

daftyburd · 02/05/2015 20:51

I like a Jondix but I want something that looks more like Paisley and lace. I like traditional style too. I'm thinking of a traditional tattoo that somehow incorporates my beloved Boston Terrier. Half the things I want will probably never happen as I'm not child free either and wealthy either.

Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 02/05/2015 22:35

Today I've been into the place recommended to me and had a chat with them and have an appointment for in eleven days time I decided against covering up/adding to the current small tattoo after talking to them. I am going to have a new one instead

Do any of you design your own or do you Google for something you like or choose from designs at the tattoo parlour etc?

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daftyburd · 02/05/2015 22:48

I go on the tattoodo page on Facebook, tattoo forums, tattoos on Pinterest and redditt and tattoo magazine pages. A good tattooist will never copy another artists work but it is best to have a good idea of what you want. Maybe print out a couple of things you like to give a clue to what you want. Don't just pick on the day because it's going to be permanent. Does the tattooist your going to have a website? Go over photos of previous work to see if anything stands out to you.

avocadotoast · 02/05/2015 22:56

I'd never use Google to find ideas tbh. You can always look online to come up with concepts etc but like daftyburd says, no decent tattooist would copy anything anyone else has done anyway. (Unless, say, it's old flash designed by Sailor Jerry or someone.)

With any of mine I've basically had an idea in mind, found a tattooist I really liked, and worked with them to get the end result. I have two bigger pieces where I trusted in the tattooist to come up with something I knew I'd like. Other smaller ones I've wanted to get tattooed by a certain person and thought up an idea to suit. That's why it's so important that you find someone with solid work that you can rely on.

There's nothing wrong with choosing from flash designs or one-offs that the tattooist has drawn up in advance, but again, you need to be super sure that you can trust in their work.

Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 04/05/2015 16:48

I can't see the difference between looking at tattoos on Google or Pinterest. Surely it doesn't matter where you look? I just need to be able to show the tattoo artist what sort of design I want.

I've found a few designs I like and emailed them through to them, then I'm going in later in the week to discuss. I want something with the moon and sun or moon and stars ..

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daftyburd · 04/05/2015 18:22

No there's no difference. If you google images of tattoos it will bring up images from Pinterest and Instagram anyway.
I think astrology is a crock of shit but I like the idea of a tattoo of my birth sign star constellation.

Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 04/05/2015 18:43

If I didn't look on Google/pinterest/facebook I wouldn't know what I wanted. My neighbour has great tattoos, she had them after the birth of her children and the tattoos mean something to her. But I'm not artistic and would just like something I like the look of.

I have no idea how long it will take? She's booked an hour appointment, is that likely to be long enough? I think I'm going for something on my shoulder blade.

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LettuceLaughton · 04/05/2015 18:54

Yes, if you like the idea of using other peoples tattoos as reference for your own (copying tattoos something which most respectable tattooer a will internally at), then Google is fine.

OTOH If you fancy something which is new and personal to you then old jewelry, cards, paintings and the like are a better bet as inspiration for your artist. These can be found via Google too, of course.

Then there's flash - existing designs (often with a rich history) that you can choose from a book / off the wall. A lot of people look down on flash these days though whilst being more than happy to ask for a copy of summat off Pinterest

Whatever you go with I hope you love it.

daftyburd · 04/05/2015 19:53

But be warned they are moreish! I had a teeny, tiny wrist tattoo done last year after not being tattooed since 1997. I seem to be hooked now. Boyfriend says it's my midlife crisis.
Hope you love your tattoo. A tattoo doesn't need to be creative and different just as long as it means something to you. My DD (9) really wanted me to get an infinity symbol with her name incorporated. Right now every second person is getting an infinity symbol. Totally unoriginal but I got it. She loves it and tbh I love it more than any of my other tattoos. It has more meaning for us.

Original poster

thecatsm0ther · 04/05/2015 19:54

I see what you mean

I've been sort of obsessed with the moon, stars and sun all my life. I buy cards with that sort of design, I have chimes with that sort of design .. I would love pictures on the walls with moon and stars.

I would like a tattoo with that sort of design. Here are some I like:

this
this
this
this

So I know what I like, but, as I'm not artistic, I don't know how to design what I want. I've sent these pages through to the tattoo parlour and asked their opinion.

What are your thoughts?

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