First tattoo, artist advice please

[Whatoflife]

Hello, first tattoo booked for Thursday!

I had it booked a couple of weeks ago, had my consultation well in advance and the artist said she’d show me the design before hand. She actually only gave it to me the day before and I wasn’t 100% sure. I liked it but it wasn’t quite my vision.
Anyway, 2nd time around is in 2 days now, couple of questions please.
How do I make sure I get her to do a design I’m completely happy with? My describing and her vision obviously didn’t quite match. How long in advance would an artist normally do the design for you?
What do you experienced tattoos people think of her work? I really like it but I was reading another thread where someone’s work had been criticised and I just want to make sure this artist is as good as I’m hoping!
Sorry to crap on, thanks for any thoughts.

Another if her recent work

Just talk to her and say it’s not quite what you wanted. It’s really important to get it 100% right for obvious reasons. What do you like about it and what don’t you like? Did you shop around snd look at other artists? Do you like her style? If you like her style then doesn’t matter what anyone else in Mumsnet thinks?

How many artists did you look at / contact before you settled on her? Every artist has their own style, nothing is ever going to be an exact copy of what you want.

Being very honest that style of tattoo - with very watercolour type colouring and less defined lines - never ages particularly well. In 15/20 years it will end up quite smudged looking and you might need to have it re touched. It depends if that bothers you.

Generally speaking anything with more black lines, less colour work, more defined lines ages better but you might not like that style.

My dh and I have a lot of tattoos, dh is practically covered head to toe and has been to some of the most sought after artists. Quite often they literally show him the design a day or so beforehand and there’s an expectation you’ll go with it because they’ve spent time talking to you and designed it with your input in accordance with their own style. Saying that though obviously don’t accept something you don’t like when it’s going to be on your body forever!

Thank you both, that’s really helpful.

Yes, I did have a good look around to find someone whose style I liked but she was the only I had a consultation with.

I was asking more if you thought her work was good quality rather than if you liked it if you see what I mean.

I did speak to her with previous design which is why she’s redoing it but I’m worried I won’t like it again, then what?

That’s what happened with this lady, she showed me the design the day before and I didn’t like it (enough), was there an expectation that I was going to go with it following our consultation?

I know what I want and like but having no artistic talent myself I find it hard to explain exactly what I’d like different to her first design.

It’s more complicated than I realised!

I mean I think the work is okay but I’ve seen much better. It’s not my kind of style so difficult to separate that. As someone who has tattoos I’d say if you are unsure don’t go ahead. You are paying for a service, remember that and they need to get it right for the customer. Don’t be cajoled into getting it if you are not happy.

Agree with @Afterfire, a busy artist will only tend to show the design a day or so before or occasionally on the day. I've only once had a design further in advance and done some back and forth adjustments. If you're not sure, don't have it out of politeness. But if you like it, that's all that matter. Everyone has different styles and tastes. This style isn't to my taste (and you'd prob not like my tattoos, ha ha) but it doesn't seem badly done so if you like the style, go for it.

I think that’s my problem but a having it out of politeness! Really need to not go down that route! I’m finding it hard to be assertive and at the same time polite/not offend.

@Trixiefirecracker in what way do you think it’s only ok? There was a similar tattoo I’d seen online (no idea who) that seemed to have cleaner lines. I think maybe I prefer that.

Sorry pic didn’t attach

I think the one you've seen online is much better quality.The first one doesn't look too bad ,not great in some places.The second one with the bee looks bloody crap to be honest.Looks amateurish.Id keep looking if I were you.
There's some where I live that have done some good ones and then you look at some of their other work and it's not great,so for that reason I'd use someone else_they need to be consistently good.Its on you for life and you don't want to be paying for cover ups.

It’s sort of watercoloury but not. Like between styles? I don’t really like the colouring and fine it a bit twee. Prefer the one you found online definitely.

Thanks so much. I’m not convinced so I think I’m going to keep looking. And lose my deposit but 🤷🏼‍♀️

Wish I’d checked in with you guys ages ago!

Check out Hettie Baker on Instagram op.

She's fabulous. I've got a few pieces dove by her.

And don't go to the person you paid a deposit to. Their work looks pretty poor.

It's better to lose a deposit than have a tattoo that isn't good. I've done that before, regretted it, then paid 3x the original amount to have it covered by someone better.

instagram.com/hettiebakertattoo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Hmm, I don't personally like her work. Looks quite thick.

The screenshot you posted of the delicate flowers and delicate lines are much nicer but from the pictures above I wouldn't say that's what she would achieve and the stems would be a lot thicker.

With my tattoos I've given them the design before hand. Gone in on the day of my tattoo to look at the design and anything I wanted tweaked happened there and then.

@PinkButtercups that’s what I thought, it looked a bit clumpy, I wanted something finer, more delicate.
when you say you’ve given them the design beforehand, who’s done the design?

@oneofusgobble thanks, I’ll have a look at her work.

I really like lydiatattoos on Instagram. Here’s some of her work ( if you like botanicals)

And if you prefer more watercolour type designs Ophelia is great…

I really like that, the definition is great