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Tattoos

Thinking about a tattoo or piercing? Find inspiration and advice on our Tattoo forum.

Is the tattoo really that bad?

260 replies

Unsuretattoo · 30/06/2022 13:05

Got my first tattoo a few months back and was really pleased with it. Just posted it on reddit (first mistake I know) and everyone's saying it's awful

Is the tattoo really that bad?
OP posts:
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9
Blinkingbatshit · 30/06/2022 14:37

I think asking on a general Internet forum like this may be an unwise move…. You’ll get people (like me) who really hate tattoos putting their tuppence worth in….which in the grand scheme of things doesn’t matter. What does matter is do you like it, are you happy with it? Sounds like you were till you went looking for validation from elsewhere. Be you. If you like it great, don’t change your mind coz a load of people on t’internet don’t!

PoseyFlump · 30/06/2022 14:38

I'd love a tattoo as an older woman but I wouldn't have a clue how to find a decent artist.

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 30/06/2022 14:38

It’s not to my taste, but I’m not into tattoos anyway.

Branleuse · 30/06/2022 14:39

i think that while its not a style thats on trend at the moment, that actually that could look really good filled as a sleeve. I think such bold blacks and colours and large designs would suit being part of a bigger sleeve.

I dont think its the best idea to post tattoos for opinions. Its really personal and some people hate all tattoos, or only like certain styles. Its like expecting everyone to like the same style of home decor.

PaddleBoardingMomma · 30/06/2022 14:39

I fear this is what you get on a low budget. A tattoo that size, that looks fantastic and perfectly executed, by a decent tattoo artist will set you back £800+ I doubt you paid anywhere near that but I'm willing to be wrong. Good tattoos aren't cheap, and cheap tattoos aren't good.

TheAverageUser · 30/06/2022 14:40

Tattoos are so personal so I think the only question is if you like it and it came out how you imagined when you drew it up?

gabagoulghost · 30/06/2022 14:41

PaddleBoardingMomma · 30/06/2022 14:39

I fear this is what you get on a low budget. A tattoo that size, that looks fantastic and perfectly executed, by a decent tattoo artist will set you back £800+ I doubt you paid anywhere near that but I'm willing to be wrong. Good tattoos aren't cheap, and cheap tattoos aren't good.

Yep, a tattooist I go to in London is £780 a day.

CataTonic58 · 30/06/2022 14:42

Nice and colorful!

MsOllie · 30/06/2022 14:43

Won't comment on the subject as that's personal choice but the colour looks quite patchy
Attached a couple of my colour ones to show

Is the tattoo really that bad?
Is the tattoo really that bad?
Katya213 · 30/06/2022 14:43

I really don't want to sound mean but I genuinely thought that was a dinosaur, not a snake. It is nice though.

OhSister · 30/06/2022 14:43

Is the dinosaur head (or snake?) a Pokemon character? That was my first impression.

The design is a matter of taste (it's not to mine, but to each their own and if you chose it then you must like the subject matter, so, great).

But it's hard to say if the execution is 'bad' without knowing whether it's supposed to depict a realistic snake (in which case it's really not very good) or a manga cartoonish dino type figure (in which case, it might be spot on).

RedCarsGoFaster · 30/06/2022 14:44

PoseyFlump · 30/06/2022 14:38

I'd love a tattoo as an older woman but I wouldn't have a clue how to find a decent artist.

Start with things like Facebook. Look at local recommendations. Have REALLY good look at past work they've posted photos of, bearing mind there may be multiple artists in one studio.

Think about what you want - what style. Portraits, animal realism, traditional imagery etc. Some people specialise in in one type. Try not to pick a picture off a wall of stencils.

Have HIGH standards for the skill of the artwork. If you think it's wonky, it probably is. Look at lots of different work and you'll start to appreciate the difference in the skills.

Instagram is also great for looking at tattoo artwork and seeing different styles.

This guy's work absolutely blows my mind: instagram.com/jordanferristattoo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

PaddleBoardingMomma · 30/06/2022 14:44

@gabagoulghost I can believe it, easily. The guy I went to 15 years ago was £750 then, I'm sure it's passing £1000 now. But these are on your body for life, you have to take it seriously I think

maddiemookins16mum · 30/06/2022 14:44

All tats are awful.

TheNonsensePotter · 30/06/2022 14:45

oh dear

RedCarsGoFaster · 30/06/2022 14:48

And this guys designs are fine art:
instagram.com/matthewjamestattoo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

TheAverageUser · 30/06/2022 14:49

RedCarsGoFaster · 30/06/2022 14:48

And this guys designs are fine art:
instagram.com/matthewjamestattoo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

These are amazing!

Justcallmebebes · 30/06/2022 14:49

No, it's awful. Sorry. Why would you do that to yourself?

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/06/2022 14:51

If you love it.. thats the important thing.

Technically - sorry it's very poor both from an art technique perspective and a tattoo technique perspective.

The colour work is really patchy - some of that may be down to ink quality and how your skin reacts, but most of thats down to lack of skill on the tattooists part.

The line work is.. meh, I've seen worse but there are areas there were a thicker line weight would have looked much better - that uniform single weight line looks v amateur.

Shadowing - I don't know if this is poor flash from a book or this was drawn for you/by you, sorry if I offend..

Light source - appears to be from right to left, which means shadows to the left - so the inside edge of the skulls eye socket should be in shadow mostly, and some of it should be the darkest shadow. There'd be some light catching the left side rim of the eye socket. But instead, you've got a big highlight inside the eyesocket as if a light were shining left to right?!..

Then in comparison the snake, which comes out of nowhere.. its neck just starts at that odd wave/water/smoke/whatever... has no shadowing at all, despite there being many areas that should be in shade.

On top of that the skull is an odd shape and the snake being so much larger really makes it look odd.

Personally I would find a decent tattooist to rework this into a larger sleeve - you want to see photos of before and after, cover up work, re-working pieces - NOT just selected images of freshly done tattoos. Newly done ink is NOT going to show up flaws in the tattooists technique.

couldishouldigoforit · 30/06/2022 14:51

It's big for a first tattoo isn't it? It only really matters if you like it surely? But the fact you posted a photo of it suggests maybe you weren't sure in the first place and was looking for validation?

Therunecaster · 30/06/2022 14:52

Anyfeckinusername · 30/06/2022 13:18

I thought it was a skull and a dinosaur head and some algae?

Me too!

SleepSleepRaveAsleep · 30/06/2022 14:52

Why are you asking? If you like it that's all that matters, never a good idea to ask strangers their opinion on something like a permanent tattoo that has already been done. Had you posted a picture and "what do you think of this?" I'd be more inclined to give an opinion at that point.

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 30/06/2022 14:57

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I agree completely. Awful. Plus they all end up navy blue and smudged in the end. Sad

RicherThanYew · 30/06/2022 14:58

The skull and wave is incredible, the only real issue with the snake is the colouring but you can go back (probably best to find someone different with more experience in using colours). You're brave for a first timer, was that 4hrs?

Dozycuntlaters · 30/06/2022 14:59

Personally, I think that's mad for a first tattoo. I love tattoos although not keen on sleeves on women unless they are amazing. It looks old fashioned and a bit marvel hero for my taste but as long as you are pleased with it that is all that matters. I have a few tattoos, all personal to me and I am sure if I put them on line I would get slated. But I don't care what others think, I love them, I think they are tasteful and that's all that matters.

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