Tattoo Consultations

If you are unsure or need help with the tattoo that you want then a consultation is a good idea. A consultation is a chance to meet a tattoo artist and discuss a design idea in order to create a great tattoo for you. We do have some recommendations before going into a consult.

If you haven't settled on an artist yet then it would be a good idea to take some time before scheduling. Go through some portfolios and read reviews before you pick an artist at random. You might pick one that doesn't do the style of tattoo you are envisioning and that can lead to wasted time for you and for them. You can always ask before hand what kind of styles an artist does before you pick them to do your tattoo.

After you have picked an artist that you are interested in you are going to want to go into that consultation with a few things prepared. The main components that you should be decided on are as follows. What is the general theme or idea for your tattoo? Are you wanting this tattoo in black and grey, or color? Where on your body are you wanting to have this tattoo? What size are you looking for? You don't have to have all the details in place, in fact it might be a good idea to leave some of the details up to the advice of your artist. But going into a consultation it is good to have an overall vision of what you are expecting to get out of this tattoo.

Once you have scheduled it is definitely important to show up on time to that appointment. First impressions matter and you don't want to waste your time and your artists time. At Lucky Bamboo Tattoo our consultation times are only 30 minutes and you want to be able to maximize your time with the artist to design your tattoo.

During the consultation it is important also to listen to the advice that your artist gives you. When you allow creative freedom you might find that they can design something better than you ever thought of. Trust your artist if they tell you that maybe the ideas that you have won't work. They want you to have the best tattoo possible. Ask questions and raise concerns during this time so you can leave the appointment feeling confident and secure that you will be getting the tattoo that you want. 

Keep in mind that some tattoos don't necessarily require a consultation. If it is a simple design or you have a very specific idea that is clear to an artist you can potentially skip the consultation and directly schedule your appointment. But if you have questions and would feel more comfortable with talking to an artist before you schedule an appointment, call the shop and schedule a consultation. 

 

Tattoo Colors and Skin Tones

 

Color tattoos can be an amazing work of art. When choosing to do a color tattoo you need to take into account a few different factors of your skin. Different skin tones and complexions can have a huge impact on the end result of your tattoo after it has healed and faded a little. Melanin is what gives your skin and hair a darker tone. Melanin is found in the dermis layer of your skin which is also where tattoo ink is put when getting a tattoo. People with little melanin will have a fairer skin tone, more melanin equals a darker tone. Knowing this can help guide you to picking out the right colors that will be vibrant and last.

Pale and lighter skin tones can serve as almost a blank slate and most to all colors can work and will show up bright. Lighter skin tones can work with deep, bright and vibrant colors while also working with softer muted colors such as light pinks, light purple, and yellows.

Medium and more tan skin tones might need a little bit more contrast with the color choice to stay looking vibrant after healing. Blues, purples and greens can provide a good contrast to your skins undertones to pop up. Vibrant oranges and reds could also be a good option. Yellows and whites will show up but they may not be very bright and color might fade more quickly.

In darker skin tones you will really want to focus on contrasting your skins undertones in order to fully have that color pop. Green, deep blues, magenta, or red could be good choices. Whites, yellows and oranges could come out looking dull with no impact.

In the end there is no hard and fast rule for tattoos and the colors that you can pick. It helps to understand the color wheel and you skin tones to find the best colors that can contrast and show up the brightest and last the longest while also understanding the more subtle choices that you can make. In the end find a good tattoo artist that you trust to create the tattoo that you will enjoy. 

I Hate My Tattoo- Help!

 

Maybe you had a bad tattoo design, or you picked a not so good artist. There could be multiple reasons why you have come to hate the tattoo that you have. But even though they say tattoos are permanent, there are a couple of different options if you truly don't want to keep the tattoo that you have. 

One of the most popular options is to get a cover up tattoo. Some things to consider with a cover up is that the new work will most likely need to be larger than the original piece. Also sometimes you might have to to go with darker colors or heavier shading to cover the original design. Cover up tattoos also may take longer in order to fully make sure that the original tattoo is no longer showing.

Another option if you don't want to fully coverup your tattoo is to rework/redesign your tattoo. Maybe you like the overall theme of the tattoo, but the detail is lacking. Finding a good artist can lead to a redesign of an existing tattoo. It could be adding more details, more colors, dimension, shading, ect. This also might be a better option than a full coverup depending on the individual tattoo. 

Another option is to get the tattoo removed. Some things to consider with the laser removal is that it can be a lengthy process, with multiple sessions. It's also not a guarantee that you will be completely free of the tattoo. You could also end up with scaring after the process is complete.  You should also be aware of the health risks involved with laser seeing that all the ink is being pushed into the body, through the lymphatic system and other organs. 

If you are truly unhappy with your tattoo you have options and don't have to be stuck forever with a bad design. You should do your research and pick a reputable artist. This shouldn't be a decision you make lightly in case you end up with an even worse tattoo than before. But if you do your homework and have a consultation to go over your options you could end up with a better tattoo than you thought you could have.

Understanding Tattoo Styles

 

There are so many different styles of tattoos that it might feel a little overwhelming when trying to decide what kind of tattoo you want. Knowing the names of different styles can help you to research and decide if that is the style of tattoo that you want. Here is a basic guide to some of the most popular tattoo styles to help guide in your tattoo decision making.

Traditional/old school: Tattoos with bold black lines, bright colors, minimal shading. Usually with stereotypical topics such as crosses, skulls, anchors, and roses.

Neo Traditional: Tattoos with finer lines mixed with bold colors and more true to life illustrated designs.

Fine Lines: Tattoos with a delicate style as the name suggests. Usually involve small or single needles to create the fine design. 

Tribal: Tattoos that usually involve elaborate patterns and can range in size. They will highlight different tribal cultures.

Watercolor: Tattoos that are meant to look delicate, minimal to no lines to allow the colors to flow and blend. 

Blackwork: Tattoos that have no color other than black with no grey or shading. These can be very big bold designs to very simple and small. 

Realism: Tattoos that look realistic and true to life. These can be done in color or black and grey.

Photo Realism: Tattoos that look like a photograph. These can be people, places, or objects.

Japanese: Tattoos that have a distinct look and use symbolism to show meaning. These tell stories through the ink. 

Trash Polka: Tattoos that mix blackwork, realism, and trash. Usually in black and red to create a mix of elements.

Geometric: Tattoos of lines and shapes. These can turn everyday things geometric. 

Black and Grey: Tattoos done in shades of black and grey. Focuses mostly on the shading to create dimension.

Anime: Tattoos inspired by anime movies, shows, comics. There are many different styles of anime tattoos that can be created.

Cartoon: Tattoos done in a style to depict a cartoon caricature. Can be an actual cartoon or something else designed to look like a cartoon character.

Abstract: Tattoos that do not attempt to represent external reality. Can be different shapes, form, and colors. 

Sketch: Tattoos usually done in black to look like an authentic, not to clean sketch look. These tattoos can also be done in color.

While there are a lot of styles listed, there are many more that were not. Even within some of these styles there are sub-styles. When researching for your next tattoo, take a look at some styles that you are wanting and use those as a starting point to allow your artist to design a great tattoo for you.

Matching Tattoos: Are They A Good Idea?

 

Matching tattoos have been a trend lately and people have been wanting to match with friends, family and loved ones. There are some considerations to take into account when planning to match with another. It is always a good idea to sit down and think about the pros and cons before booking an appointment. 

It is important to think about placement with matching tattoos. You can lessen the pressure of a matching tattoo by placing it somewhere that could be easily hidden if you would like. You also don't need to be pressured to place the tattoo in the same places. Your partner could get it on their wrist and you could place it on your ankle. It is all up to you and where you want the tattoo to be. 

Keep in mind size doesn't equal meaningfulness. A small and simple tattoo can be just as special as a full intricate sleeve. At the end of the day the day, the ink is going on your body so you should do what is going to matter the most to you. 

When people think about matching tattoos they tend to think they are going to be identical. Your tattoos don't have to be copy and paste. Sometimes opposites attract and that can be a great way to embrace your differences. There are plenty of ideas for similar but unique tattoos that can play into a variety of relationships such as a romantic partner or your best friend from 5th grade. When you and that person decide to get a matching tattoo talk it over and decide together whether you are wanting identical or otherwise. 

One of the biggest things to consider when planning a matching tattoo is being comfortable with the fact that it could become a reminder of a past relationship. You need to be ok with knowing that maybe your relationship with that person won't last.Remember that the more fun you have with the experience the happier you will be later down the road. If that relationship does end you can hopefully look at that tattoo as a reminder of better times you shared with them. Worst case scenarios cover-up tattoos are always an option. 

In the end a matching tattoo can end up being a great bonding experience, just remember at the end of the day it is your body and you can choose what you would like to have tattooed on it or not.