Solid fill in technique?

[urmindsi]

Just thinking about this tonight...Ive read alot on this forum about how most people use a circlular motion when filling in solid color, Ive always used a zig-zag motion, working from right to left of what I was filling in?? I was told it causes less trauma to the skin...?, Has anyone ever used this technique? (Zig-Zag)(( Preference Qustion ))

[thew750]

I was taught to circle. Don't see how a zig zag is gonna cover all that well.



I have tattooed quite a few Zig Zag men in my day. LOL

[DRJAEDOG]

WHEN I FIRST STARTED I TRIED WHAT YOU CALL A ZIG ZAG, BUT WHEN YOU COLOR IN CIRCLES IT GOES IN BETTER, FASTER, AND LESS TRAUMA TO THE SKIN, YOU WILL CUT YOUR COLORING TIME DOWN BIG TIME, AND THAT GOES FOR MAGS, FLATS, ROUNDS. JUST REMEMBER RELAX AND TAKE YOUR TIME, IF YOU RUSH, YOU WILL BEAT UP THE SKIN, ALSO LOWER THE VOLTS WHEN YOU SHADE AND COLOR.

[FORGIVEN]

You cant go wrong with small over-lapping ,consecutive circles !!! :wink:

[MisterGG]

For tribals i use a 7 mag or a 11 mag. Then i set my machine to about 5 volts, and do really small circular motions , remember to keep the skin really thight when you fill!

If you have trouble with getting the colour solid, check your machine settings, the colour should get in at your first try.

Now a days i dont have to go over my tribals again! I get them nice and black at the first time!

[Miss Disaster]

I am still trying to get the hang of using mags for filling in color. But even with a good stretch of the skin, I still seem to be getting quite a few holidays, more than I want. I do small circles, and usually do 2 passes unless the skin still looks really good and the color still isn't solid, another (added: I only do this when working on myself). Everyone says to go slow when coloring and shading, but I have seen so many artists move very quickly when coloring, how is this done? Just plain ole experience I am sure. :o)

[DRJAEDOG]

I THINK WHAT WERE TRYING TO SAY BY TAKING YOUR TIME IS DONT RUSH THE PROCESS, YOU CAN MAKE FAST CIRCLES, JUST DONT TRY TO DO 3 INCHES AT A TIME WORK IN SMALLER PORTIONS LIKE 1/4 INCH SECTIONS TILL ITS FILLED THEN A LITTLE MORE ECT......... REMEMBER QUALITY OVER TIME YOU DONT WANT TO HAVE THE CUSTOMER COME BACK FOR TOUCH UPS, GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!! PRACTICE LEARN YOUR TECHNIQUE!

[Miss Disaster]

Thanks! You finally said what I was wanting to hear. I thought you had to do small very SLOW circles while coloring. I was hoping I could do faster circles than what I have been doing, but I haven't sped up because I was affraid I would damage the skin or something. i am not saying I am going to try and do a tattoo really fast or anything, but when coloring, I was going so slow, and probably too slow actually!

[Papa Gee]

Next time you have to color try this....Do a small test patch first. If the ink is filling the area effortlessly then take off coloring. If not, try adjusting your voltage or contact screw. Experimant a bit. The more efficient you lay down color the less passes and time you spend in the skin. You'll get less trauma to the skin and finish up a lot faster.

[Miss Disaster]

Well, I finally did a tattoo that I can say I am very proud of, nothing elaborate as most of you like a portrait or anything, but a cute set of cherries for a friend of mine. She wanted them red white and blue so I drew up a cute set with cut-out stars in the cherries which I colored white and a cute little blue bow at the top of the stem instead of a leaf. I did 2 passes on the line work to build them up and I went just a tid bit quicker than I normally do for the color and the ink flew in and looked great! I am sooo happy! I hope I can be just as excited about everyother tattoo I put on someone's body. I have a suuuper crappy pic if anyone's interested, please give me honest feedback, even though my camera sucks. I'll have to try and take another outside or something in the daylight, maybe that will help. But I would love to hear from a true artist, do you think in time I can be a good tattooist, or am i just wasting my time? I love tattooing ! Oh yeah, my friend was so happy with it, it made me feel great that I put it there! What an awsome feeling. I know, how cheeesy of me ! :oops: :D

[Hardskull]

I dont think thats cheesy at all..confidence is a very important aspect for the person holding the machine! Good for you!

[Capt. Calzone]

Right on, that's awesome Miss D! It's not cheesey at all. It's one of the most rewarding feelings. :)

[FORGIVEN]

Right on !!! Keep on going ,it gets better !!!

[Essex Boy]

forgiven :!: comes with a goverment health warning
man your getting worse :lol:

[FORGIVEN]

i dont comprehend????????????

[Essex Boy]

sorry given what i meant to say was
comeing to a city near you :lol: given the sex machine, mothers lock up ya daughters :lol:
ps given this is meant to be a compliment :lol: