Different idea on first tattoo..

[Chef-Ink]

I've been soaking up all the info I can, from books, videos, and you all (thanks again everyone).

Ive had my set-up for a few days now and have made progress on my 30 grapefruits. They actually are looking good now (again thanks so much all)

Im thinking of doing my first tatoo on skin, of course it will be on myself and pretty small in size.

Im thinking of bloodlining the whole tattoo, that way any mistakes are made in witch-hazel; not PERMANANTLY in ink.

It should disappear after the irrtation heals I assume, am I correct?

Has anyone else tried this for their first work on skin?

Thanks

[Nekrotek]

I did a tribal for my first go at it, I have done some blood lining also.

I'm not sure your going to be able to realy see what your doing with the needle with out ink in it. I.E. depth and speed and consitancy, you'll see the/a mark with blood lining no matter how you hit the skin, and with ink it you'd be able to see how well your laying in that line.

[urmindsi]

The first tattoo I gave myself was a solid tribal dragon on my leg, but I didnt bloodline it, I understand your nervous, and thats why you want to bloodline, what ever make you feel more comfortable, I will say your in for some pain if you are gonna outline it twice....I also dont use witchhazel when bloodlining, but thats me(I use nothing).
-Make sure when u put on your stencil, you are in a natural position (if you want it to look normal when relaxed) otherwise if you dont, your stencil will look distorted when in your normal (relaxed) position. Your skin is like elastic, it snaps back when not bending or flexing.
-find an area so you can do a test (when you begin to ink) somewhere not to obvious(a small line in the design perhaps), to make sure everything is going right.
-Take your time and dont rush..its gonna hurt, work your hand and machine in sync with one another.
-remember to stretch, unlike grapefruit, you need to stretch your skin enough to make it taunt, (like Vinnie Pauls snare drum),if you dont,your needles will most likely bounce of the epidermis. Stretching is a magor factor in getting the ink in right.
-A lesson learned in life, known from the dawn of time...RESPECT..WALK!
-Where abouts are you in New England? originally Im from Griswold Ct.

[Chef-Ink]

After some more thought, I ordered some Spirit Masters, and am gonna go with ink; no bloodlining. Like nekrotek said, Im not gonna judge needle depth or consistency without ink.
The thought of outlining twice isnt appealing to me.

I hear you on the skin stretching, Ive been squeezing the fruit just to get used to my left hand being used.


urmindsi, my wife, son and I live in Maine, just over the bridge from Portsmouth NH, great area; so happy to be back in New England.

BTW, Im a huge Pantera fan as well (the Vinnie Paul analogy as great)
Ive got some great bootleg DVD's from a guy on the net; if your interested PM me and Ill send u the link.

Ill let you guys know how everything turns out in a week or so.

[Bkidd]

I did the same thing for my first.A tribal peice on my inner leg.Lines turned out all shakey,blow out in a spot or two.Every time I get a new machine or try something different I add to that spot.I just added to it with outlining in color. :o

Take your time when doing it.Not only is it hard to ink yourself it gets very nerving when you hit the foot pedal and get that needle to the skin.One thing I can say is IF/WHEN you start shaking when you start outlining is to stop,take a deep breath and relax.

Funny thing is I've only done a handful of tatto's on friends and the funny thing is after sitting around drinking for a few hours and they decide they want ink I'm less shakey then when I didn't drink anything :P

[Kenny]

Actually, that isn't that weird. Alcohol makes your muscles relax. I found that one out myself when I started drawing after I had some beers... :)

[=Stephens=]

When I did my first tat, I did my astrological sign on my ankle. Small enough to be covered with a bandaid. I was'nt too nervous, cuz I have had tats before. But I think I am going to do something to cover it, I don't like it anymore. But thats what cool about being a tat artist, you can do that and its free.

[skullman]

Here's an idea that i've given before.

Take a larger size star or tribal. and just do the lining. Leave the center open so that you can go in and do other smaller pieces. This way when you get it all full you can either fill it black or work the pieces to gether on the inside. This way you can see the lines and the progress that your practices have.

Just blood lining you don't actually see what you are doing. You can't see a blowout with blood lining. That what practicing is all about, not guessing if your doing it right.

[Chef-Ink]

Thanks guys,

Since I posted this Ie actually done 7 tattoo's on myself.
Im half way through a panel covering the inside of my calf.

After the first 2 the shaking and nervousness went away.
But I gotta admit, tattoonig my own ankle and the inside of my thigh was not exactly easy or pleasureable. Took alot of concentration and some crazy postiioning to get to some of those areas.