Ideas on shading this?

[DGapp]

I'm doing this on a guy this weekend. It's a Cherokee design that he found on a Ken Masters website. Its called Star's Seven Points.

cherokeeimages.com/culture/art/tattoos.html

I'm afraid that due to how detailed it is, if he wants it too small, it'll get muddled. He said he wants it in the middle of his back and about the size of his fist. I traced the image to make it more visible:

http://i13.tinypic.com/2a8qpat.jpg

Any ideas? I was thinking light greywash with a few darker areas to give it depth.

[DGapp]

bump it up...

[Saffy]

I like the design :) would look good as you suggest or maybe make it look metallic or you could make it look 3d

[DGapp]

He wants to keep it like the original drawing so I it kinda limits the possibilities. I am going to talk him into making it bigger to enhance the detail more. Maybe even put a shadow behind it...

Thanks for the reply!

[TonyTouchTat2]

I hate to be the one raining on someones parade but, I have a question maybe 2.
1. did you do a quick trace of that image because if not just by looking that the consistency in your lines I would say practice some more before you put this on to someones skin.
2. (maybe should have been the first question) How many tattoos like this have you done?

Dont get me wrong here I too like the image and I think it would look cool (not too small) but I just had to say something after I saw your trace. Because if tracing it your lines look like that what will they look like with a 100 + gram vibrating machine?

Tony

[DGapp]

I appreciate the feedback. I def. need to draw more, as I will become more smooth with the lines. I have been doing primarily tribal designs. I will post more pics of my work. The nice thing about tribal is you can cover the inconsistancies. I am no professional here so I am humbled and inspired by the work and advice I see here. I long to have an apprenticeship but have a large family to support and work 2 jobs w/ anything on the side to make money. I have been tattooing for about 2 years. Keep in mind, I do a tat about once or twice a month so I feel as if I'm not progressing like I want and need to be.

[TonyTouchTat2]

I appreciate the feedback. I def. need to draw more, as I will become more smooth with the lines. I have been doing primarily tribal designs. I will post more pics of my work. The nice thing about tribal is you can cover the inconsistancies. I am no professional here so I am humbled and inspired by the work and advice I see here. I long to have an apprenticeship but have a large family to support and work 2 jobs w/ anything on the side to make money. I have been tattooing for about 2 years. Keep in mind, I do a tat about once or twice a month so I feel as if I'm not progressing like I want and need to be.

Been there and kinda still there just building up my inventory and getting as much advice as possible. What I do is I always find something to draw anytime I have a break. Anything and everything, even trace. Just gets you loose.

[DGapp]

LOL, I'm always doodling on stuff! I think it's crucial to force yourself out of the "comfort zone" and draw things you know you suck at. Thanks again for the advice

[fretless_johnny]

Gotta agree with Tony on this one. Work on your lines some more. Whenever you take a week off, try to run through a few drawings with a running machine with a pencil in the vice. It's a decent way to get your hand steady again.

My concern with this design is that it won't look good ten years from now. Some of the point in the center are very close together. If you are adept at using a very tight 3 and keeping your depth solid, maybe. If not, I'd go bigger, or reline this drawing placing the lines just inside the lines you have now to create more negative space.

Just a thought.

John

[DGapp]

I jumped the gun, but I think it turned out pretty good. More importantly, he was very happy.

http://i11.tinypic.com/43z5hk4.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/2zqviuh.jpg

[Saffy]

I jumped the gun, but I think it turned out pretty good. More importantly, he was very happy.

http://i11.tinypic.com/43z5hk4.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/2zqviuh.jpg

\i think it turned out pretty good too :D

[dino71]

I have seen worse so not bad but you know you can improve and that is the main things knowing that you can instead of thinking so can't get any better then you already are. Humble is the way of the artist

[DGapp]

Thanks. I am always trying to better myself, not only in my tattoing, but in all aspects of my life. I learn new thing everyday and it humbles me. Shit, I learn something new from my kids daily lol!

[johnnynotoes]

Thanks. I am always trying to better myself, not only in my tattoing, but in all aspects of my life. I learn new thing everyday and it humbles me. Shit, I learn something new from my kids daily lol!

totally agree with the sentiments, no point in having woken up in the morning if you havent learned something new by the end of the day!

[Martin]

not too shaby for jumping the gun