In the next couple of days I'm going to get a piece done on my chest, it's going to be done in the old school style. The tattoo itself is of a heart with two blue roses coming from the bottom of the heart with another two budding roses in the background, one of the budding rose will have a diamond in it and the other will have an eye. On top of the heart will be a crown. The piece is big and will occupy the middle of my chest. Now the tattoo artist said he can complete the tattoo in about four to five hours, but to make sure to bring a pain killer. He said to me that he never recomends stuff like that, but b/c of the area I want it it's going to hurt. Now my question is, I always thought that if a tattoo is of a good size, meaning big, it would take a minimum of two or more sessions to complete. One session for the out line and the other for shadowing and color. Is it possible to complete something of that size in 4 to 5 hours. Better yet is it recommended. Or would it be better to split the session in two. I would greatly appreciate some input from guys who have tattoos. If you want to see the piece that I plan on getting PM me with your e-mail and I'll send you a pic. And once you see the piece you could judge. TIA
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Question about tattoos
- Thread starter Rconectn
- Start date
wanlail
Active Member
Depending on your pain tolerance, 2 sittings may be ideal if its will take up most of the chest. (You won't really feel it after a while unless the guy hates you.) However, there are guys who do 8 hour sessions. You also have to keep in mind that if your artist is constantly doing it and spends a long amount of time, he may become tired and the sharpness starts to decline. I wouldn't recommend the pain killer if you're a 'bleeder' as it thins the blood and you'll bleed more.
LilBastage
Meat is murder! Tasty, tasty murder.
I've never heard of an artist recommending a pain killer.
What's "old school style"? Are you talking about the method (hand tools)? Or are you talking about the classic "Americana" style done with a machine?
I've had one 6 hour session on my chest. It was a long time, but I was the only person he saw that day and we had planned it in advance. He was also known for doing long sessions. It can probably be done, but the quality may suffer a bit. The artist may be up to it, but it's hard for a lot of people to sit still for the length of time it takes while in pain. You'll get used to it after a while, but there are spots on the chest that will give you a jolt no matter what (there are nerves fairly close to the skin in some parts that run all the way up your neck to under and behind your ears as well as a few that will make your tongue tingle if the artist hits them just right).
No matter where you get it, it's going to hurt. That's part of the experience and the spiritual nature of tattooing.
What's "old school style"? Are you talking about the method (hand tools)? Or are you talking about the classic "Americana" style done with a machine?
I've had one 6 hour session on my chest. It was a long time, but I was the only person he saw that day and we had planned it in advance. He was also known for doing long sessions. It can probably be done, but the quality may suffer a bit. The artist may be up to it, but it's hard for a lot of people to sit still for the length of time it takes while in pain. You'll get used to it after a while, but there are spots on the chest that will give you a jolt no matter what (there are nerves fairly close to the skin in some parts that run all the way up your neck to under and behind your ears as well as a few that will make your tongue tingle if the artist hits them just right).
No matter where you get it, it's going to hurt. That's part of the experience and the spiritual nature of tattooing.
Mrepp
To boldly troll where no Troll has trolled before
Yes, I did a 5 hour session. Imo it was a terrible idea, like said after the first hour you don't feel it but it took 1 1/2-2 hours just to outline it, when he came back to fill it in man was the skin beat up and sore. If I had the choice I'd do 2 sittings, one to outline one to fill.
Jeech
New Member
I would say a 5-hour session is doable as others have mentioned. The quality of the work, you'll have to base on the artist's portfolio. I know artists that have a light/fast hand that can do excellent work quickly and other that take their time. If you do decide on one session.. Make sure you don't go into this hungry.
I came out of a 4 hour session on my stomach just for outline feeling lightheaded and weak. Food was what I needed. some snacks during your breaks would help.
I came out of a 4 hour session on my stomach just for outline feeling lightheaded and weak. Food was what I needed. some snacks during your breaks would help.
As you saw from my thread, I have been going in for several sessions on this current piece. There are a couple of reasons for that. First, I have a huge arm. Might not look like it... but there is a lot of ink going into this. Second, Mojo (the artist) is a friend of mine so he is doing it as a great price... 
Third, It is impossible to do wash work (see phase II) and then go right over it with color. Forth, notice the detail on the orchids... that iniself took 3 hours for 4 orchids. Now I suppose it all depends on what the artist is comfortable with. Mojo likes to put in on in layers. Ahhhh and the best part, after a session if you see spots that need to be touched up, the artist can do that as he/she goes along. I am planning on 6 sessions with this tat. May seem like a lot for some folks, but then again... I'm getting a great deal. Just my opinion. Check out the Tatoo Acictionado thread to see the progression. Mojo has drawn everything on me freehand. I like the idea that it is 100% custom.
JMO
mac
Third, It is impossible to do wash work (see phase II) and then go right over it with color. Forth, notice the detail on the orchids... that iniself took 3 hours for 4 orchids. Now I suppose it all depends on what the artist is comfortable with. Mojo likes to put in on in layers. Ahhhh and the best part, after a session if you see spots that need to be touched up, the artist can do that as he/she goes along. I am planning on 6 sessions with this tat. May seem like a lot for some folks, but then again... I'm getting a great deal. Just my opinion. Check out the Tatoo Acictionado thread to see the progression. Mojo has drawn everything on me freehand. I like the idea that it is 100% custom. JMO
mac
Like Alan said, I've never heard of an artist recommend pain killers before a session. With the tattoo being done on your chest with as much detail and color as you say it will have, break it up into two sessions....one for the outline and the black shading, and the other for the color. 5 hour sessions aren't bad....depending on where the tattoo is. My sleeve was done in 6 - 5 hour sessions and I never had a problem until he started on the underside of my arm. The chest will hurt when he gets away from the muscle area and starts hitting your ribcage.....when you start hitting those "bony" areas is when a tattoo really hurts when being done. Other things to consider: is your tattoo artist fast or slow and meticulous? The best artist I've ever been to was fast, but it hurt like hell even though it was on my back. Slow and tedious doesn't hurt nearly as bad....but that also doesn't mean that they will do a good tattoo just because they take their time. Just some things to think about.
Brian
Brian
X2 what Jonesy said. I'm a "bleeder" so things tend to get a bit messy. I agree... watch out for that "church meat"... you know the back/under the arm where mom grabs your ass when you are falling asleep in church....
Jonesy - what do you think of the color in the orchids thus far????
mac
Jonesy - what do you think of the color in the orchids thus far????
mac
sack
'From man's sweat and God's love, beer came to be.
I have a rose with a banner wrapped around it with my wife's name on it, on my left bicep, i found the best rated artist in playboy magazine. Consider more then price unless you know for sure the guy is competent. My two cents!
Looks good Mac! I love color in my tattoos...my forearm is really bright. The Japanese female ghost's gown is done in pink and the water around my koi is really bright blue. Now I do like simple black pieces too. I have a Celtic piece on my leg using only black. But then again, color is only as good as the artist that puts it on. I've seen guys that can't blend worth a damn and it really ruins the tat.Jonesy - what do you think of the color in the orchids thus far????
mac
Good advice from everyone, I'm not going the pain pill route! mr. mac your piece is coming out fantastic!! Can't wait to see the end result! Ok here is the piece I plan to get. Now based on the picture do you think it should be split in two sessions?
Pic of my tattoo, click me!
Is there much work here with shading and color? Thanks to all who responded with great advice, look forward to more advice now that you can visualize the piece!
Pic of my tattoo, click me!
Is there much work here with shading and color? Thanks to all who responded with great advice, look forward to more advice now that you can visualize the piece!
Very nice! I would definately recommend that the line and shading/washwork is done in one.... maybe two sessions. As I mentioned, I had line first, then shading and washwork. Let er heal for a couple of weeks and take good care of it. No picking, no peeling. Use a product called aquaphor... its basically A&D ointment. Stay away from neosporin. A lot of artists will reommend it, but in certain cases people have had a bad reaction to it and has messed with the ink. Then have him do the color. Dont rush it. If it takes a couple of sessions to do the color... so be it. By that time he will be able to do any other touch ups on what has already been done. Gook luck... it looks like it will be a nice one. AND SHARE IT WITH US!
mac
mac
LilBastage
Meat is murder! Tasty, tasty murder.
That's a pretty cool piece. I would definitely do that in at least 2 sessions. It's going to take someone with a lot of talent to really get that right in one sit down. Also, have your artist take the design and make it your own. I'm surprised he's even agreed to ink someone else's design like that. A lot won't. Besides, wouldn't you rather have a more original design for your permanent mark?
I've always used A&D on my work. It's what the first guy I went to recommended and it's just what I've stuck with. It gives very good results. I've heard that neosporin will actually pull some of the ink out of your tattoo. I don't know if this is fact, but I've had 2 tattooists tell me this.
Good luck!
I've always used A&D on my work. It's what the first guy I went to recommended and it's just what I've stuck with. It gives very good results. I've heard that neosporin will actually pull some of the ink out of your tattoo. I don't know if this is fact, but I've had 2 tattooists tell me this.
Good luck!