Skullee the Tattooo.

[Joker]

Here is some pics of my most recent Black-n-Gray.

Done with 3-round and a 14-round needle groupings ( I usually work with flat shaders, but I felt the need to experiment with the round 14 on this job...)

The black is Millenium Black Onyx and the various tones are thinned out Black Onyx in 3 levels of modified thinnings.

I used Milleniums Monthly Red in a thin wash to make the skin flaps look a tad bit raw. It might be hard to see, but it does stand out rather well, and adds a subtle look to the skin flaps.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Joker13_10/JDsTattoo1.jpg

This is the initial start of the work.


http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Joker13_10/JDsTattoo2.jpg

This is the end result.

Overall, the customer was really excited, as I added a bit of my own creativity to this piece. ( it was wa customer drawn picture, and I added way more depth and detail to the work than I was presented with....Yes, the customer and myself discussed this detailing before I put it into the skin...)

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l9/Joker13_10/JDTattoo1.jpg

I hope you enjoy the pics, and if you have any questions, comments or critiques, please feel free to post them.

[sac4life]

it almost looks airbrushed on lol

[black raven]

the only thing about larger rounds is make sure that they are "shaders" and not liners, that are tightly grouped, i call these things railroad spikes and one can do some serious damage with these needles. 2) is trying to grey wash with these needles can be tricky to get a smooth effect... It will look a scratchy when healed. other than that , nice job....

[the colorist]

get some better photos,stick with flats,rounds can be killers.thoses peeps coloring in with rounds dont have a full understanding or appreciation of flats or mags.with work like this go with the old adage.....less is more:cool:

[Joker]

Yeah, I hear you guys on being careful with round shaders...suffice to say that I have yet to pot-hole/hamburger a victim with any of my needle/setups. It is just below Sterilization on the "Pay close attention to this!" list. (That would be #2 for those of you just tuning in...)

I mainly use flats for my fills and effects, but this particular job had a very "punk/hardcore" vibe, and if I do say so, it actually produced some very good variations of smooth shade as well as some scratch that helped edge this picture from the mundane and safe, to something that the guy(who got the Tattoo) raved about. He was under the impression that he was in for typical as I discussed shading, but as he got to study first hand photos of his new back work, he started drooling. (This guy is an animal...)

I consider every Tattoo I do as a way to break from the expected and typical, even if that means I use needle, spring, speed & etc. variations that are often considered outside of common and/or the "tradional". What ultimately matters (#3, after being clean and not damaging anyone...) is the final results, in the short and long term, coupled with the collectors pleasure at having art under their skin. #3 requires a positive report with the customer to understand how what I offer is going to resemble the idea in their head. I like to think that the guy who splashes paint out of buckets or makes understandable pictures from a plethora of dots is just as much a visionary artist as one who uses expensive paintbrushes. Tools produce art only to the point that the mind limits them. Good art is subjective to those viewing the art, regardless of the tools used.

I promise that I do not work in a mindless fashion, and that every moment (endless second) is highly personal and vibrant between the collector, the machine and myself.

Sorry about the pics...I devote most of my waking moments to thinking about inking, and I leave the photo work out in left field, all alone to fend for itself.

I will work harder on understanding my camera a little bit better, I promise.

Once again, Thank you for your instructive and personally insightful commments, this art-form will only benifit from such concern and desire for the positive.

Take care.