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Advice on getting a design for a tattoo

Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
edited August 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
So after about 20 years of wanting a tattoo, I have finally decided to do it. For a long time I could not decide what to get, but I came up with an idea a few years ago and I still like the idea, so I think I should do it.

I was born and raised in Wales (although living in the US) and I am very proud of my heritage so I am going to get a dragon (we have one on the welsh flag). The last time I visited Wales, I picked up a coal sculpture of a sleeping baby dragon, and I would like that to be my tattoo, maybe with the word Cymraeg (it means Welsh) over the top - not sure yet.

My problem is that I am not artsy. Do I take the sculpture to a tattoo place and ask them to draw it? Do they charge extra for doing that, if they do it? I'm not sure how the process works. Also, I would like it to be black or dark grey but do those tend to fade noticeably? Maybe I should make it colored and pretty instead........

Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
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Comments

  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    oh you should get the dragon from your flag. i wish i was welsh just for this reason. id get him on my ankle. :D

    or even better.....

    postman pat. :D:D
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  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    hmmmm Welsh you say... you should get a picture of a sheep with its bum up in the air ready for a pummelling.
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    dunkman wrote:
    hmmmm Welsh you say... you should get a picture of a sheep with its bum up in the air ready for a pummelling.

    i truly wonder sometimes how your mind works dunk.
    hear my name
    take a good look
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  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    dunkman wrote:
    hmmmm Welsh you say... you should get a picture of a sheep with its bum up in the air ready for a pummelling.
    With a leek next to it. Or in it...
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • chimechime Posts: 7,839
    Jeremy1012 wrote:
    With a leek next to it. Or in it...

    jamieuk told me that was where the daffodil goes :confused:

    ... and for the OP do you have an artistic friend you could sit down and discuss it with and get then to help in drawing up a couple of ideas?
    So are we strangers now? Like rock and roll and the radio?
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Chime wrote:
    jamieuk told me that was where the daffodil goes :confused:

    no no thats where jamie puts his daffodil. every welshmans different. for instance christian bale would shove it... well you can imagine im sure. :D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
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  • eMMIeMMI Posts: 6,262
    Jeremy1012 wrote:
    With a leek next to it. Or in it...

    what the fock is a leek?! *checks* oh.. :o
    "Don't be faint-hearted, I have a solution! We shall go and commandeer some small craft, then drift at leisure until we happen upon another ideal place for our waterside supper with riparian entertainments."
  • Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
    Haha you guys crack me up :) I do not have any artistic friends either.

    catefrances I don't really like the actual dragon that is on the welsh flag - it's not cute like the sleeping baby dragon :P
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    seren327 wrote:
    Haha you guys crack me up :) I do not have any artistic friends either.

    catefrances I don't really like the actual dragon that is on the welsh flag - it's not cute like the sleeping baby dragon :P

    cute? im not really into cute. and imho youve got the best national flag in the world. i like your flag better than my own. the dragon looks strong. plus hes red. :D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
    catefrances wrote:
    cute? im not really into cute. and imho youve got the best national flag in the world. i like your flag better than my own. the dragon looks strong. plus hes red. :D

    True indeed it is an awesome flag. I just want my tattoo to be more girly and probably not red......
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    seren327 wrote:
    True indeed it is an awesome flag. I just want my tattoo to be more girly and probably not red......

    well there you go... im less girly and for me red = blood = good. :D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
    Bump :D I know with all the tattoed people here, someone must have some advice for me........ Please :)
  • CityMouseCityMouse Posts: 1,010
    seren327 wrote:
    Bump :D I know with all the tattoed people here, someone must have some advice for me........ Please :)

    ok, I'll try. I have no tats but I am enthralled by the process and I have seen it done a couple times. As far as I know, yes, you can bring something like the sculpture or a picture in and ask them if they can use it as a basis for the sketch. I don't know if they charge "extra" for that- I would assume not- not many people pick tats out of a book much these days. but again, I don't know for sure.
  • GraySaturdayGraySaturday Posts: 2,878
    seren327 wrote:
    So after about 20 years of wanting a tattoo, I have finally decided to do it. For a long time I could not decide what to get, but I came up with an idea a few years ago and I still like the idea, so I think I should do it.

    I was born and raised in Wales (although living in the US) and I am very proud of my heritage so I am going to get a dragon (we have one on the welsh flag). The last time I visited Wales, I picked up a coal sculpture of a sleeping baby dragon, and I would like that to be my tattoo, maybe with the word Cymraeg (it means Welsh) over the top - not sure yet.

    My problem is that I am not artsy. Do I take the sculpture to a tattoo place and ask them to draw it? Do they charge extra for doing that, if they do it? I'm not sure how the process works. Also, I would like it to be black or dark grey but do those tend to fade noticeably? Maybe I should make it colored and pretty instead........

    Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

    You can take things to some tattoo artists, and they will draw it for you, and consult with you to see if thats what you like. Some tattooers don't do that, they do "art off the wall" type tattoos. Research a few different artists in your area, and give them a call and ask them if they do custom pieces. Most artists charge more for a custom piece.

    Black and gray can fade, but so can color. Some colors fade a lot faster then others. It also depends where you get it on your body as well.

    If you can't find an artist to draw it for you, let me know and I might be able to help you out from photographs. I have a BFA in drawing ;)
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,636
    seren327 wrote:
    So after about 20 years of wanting a tattoo, I have finally decided to do it. For a long time I could not decide what to get, but I came up with an idea a few years ago and I still like the idea, so I think I should do it.

    I was born and raised in Wales (although living in the US) and I am very proud of my heritage so I am going to get a dragon (we have one on the welsh flag). The last time I visited Wales, I picked up a coal sculpture of a sleeping baby dragon, and I would like that to be my tattoo, maybe with the word Cymraeg (it means Welsh) over the top - not sure yet.

    My problem is that I am not artsy. Do I take the sculpture to a tattoo place and ask them to draw it? Do they charge extra for doing that, if they do it? I'm not sure how the process works. Also, I would like it to be black or dark grey but do those tend to fade noticeably? Maybe I should make it colored and pretty instead........

    Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.

    First of all, my personal preference is color, color, color! Other people like blacks and grays, but not me. I've seen some great work done with shading and no lines, but those types just don't do it for me. That said, every person needs to get what they like. Like you, I thought about it for awhile and, one year later, I do not regret it. In fact, I'm going to get one more (just one more :p) soon.

    Secondly, could you maybe take a digital picture of your baby dragon? You could play around with angles and sizes. I would bet you could find "Cymraeg", in the font you want, somewhere on the internet. Or, just type it into Word and play with their fonts.

    Good luck!! Yeah, I noticed your thread was veering off course. Not the first time. :p
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
    Thanks for the good advice about taking pictures of different angles and looking at different fonts. The more I think about the color, I think I am going to go with something colorful instead of black. I will probably get it on my shoulder blade or possibly on the back of my neck, not sure yet.

    I have asked my daughter to try to draw it for me - she is 16 and at an Art Magnet School, but she is not very confident about her work (even though she is very talented), so I am not sure if she will want to put the effort into it - she is a teenager, what can I say....

    GraySaturday, thanks for the offer, hopefully I will have some luck with my daughter or if i call some places. If not, I may be sending you a PM :D
  • GraySaturdayGraySaturday Posts: 2,878
    seren327 wrote:

    GraySaturday, thanks for the offer, hopefully I will have some luck with my daughter or if i call some places. If not, I may be sending you a PM :D

    No problem! Your best bet is having the artist themselves draw it because they will draw in the style they are comfortable tattooing in, without having to further modify it. But I am always willing to help!! Good luck!
  • SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    seren327 wrote:
    Bump :D I know with all the tattoed people here, someone must have some advice for me........ Please :)
    Take a picture of this sleeping dragon. I will style it up for you since Im in the tattoo designing business......
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,636
    SENROCK! wrote:
    Take a picture of this sleeping dragon. I will style it up for you since Im in the tattoo designing business......

    You're just a Jacqueline-of-all-trades, aren't you?? :D
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
    SENROCK! wrote:
    Take a picture of this sleeping dragon. I will style it up for you since Im in the tattoo designing business......

    You are? I had no idea.... Did you design this yourself, if so those are kind of the colors I was thinking about using - it is beautiful!! ? I was looking at the Tattoo thread this morning and this was my favorite one.

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/SENROCK04/SEN/butterfly.jpg

    I will take some pics when I get home this afternoon :)
  • SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    seren327 wrote:
    You are? I had no idea.... Did you design this yourself, if so those are kind of the colors I was thinking about using - it is beautiful!! ? I was looking at the Tattoo thread this morning and this was my favorite one.

    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/SENROCK04/SEN/butterfly.jpg

    I will take some pics when I get home this afternoon :)
    Yes I am. I LOVE to design tattoos for those who say "i need something different. Something original and unlike any other." :D That tattoo up there is just one of the styles I can do.
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
  • CityMouseCityMouse Posts: 1,010
    GraySaturday wrote:
    No problem! Your best bet is having the artist themselves draw it because they will draw in the style they are comfortable tattooing in, without having to further modify it. But I am always willing to help!! Good luck!

    this is true- I think a lot of times they will often resketch it anyway.
  • SENROCKSENROCK Posts: 10,736
    imalive wrote:
    You're just a Jacqueline-of-all-trades, aren't you?? :D
    Jaqueline. THAT is funny!!! :D And no, i just love to draw! you know that!!!!
    ~~~~~~ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME~~~~~~
    Sir Mike McCready is....THE MASTER!!! WAHHH!!!
    EVENFLOW PSYCHOS H.N.I.C~FEEL THE FLOW!!!

    "Pearl Jam fans are obsessed, they'd see the boys in HELL if tickets were sold."-CROJAM95

    It takes balls to put out a UKE album!
  • Inhiding230Inhiding230 Posts: 362
    SENROCK! wrote:
    Yes I am. I LOVE to design tattoos for those who say "i need something different. Something original and unlike any other." :D That tattoo up there is just one of the styles I can do.

    Yep that is exactly what I want, something different and original that I won't see on anyone else. Check your PMs later today, I would love to get your input :)
  • dunkmandunkman Posts: 19,646
    catefrances wrote:
    cute? im not really into cute. and imho youve got the best national flag in the world. i like your flag better than my own. the dragon looks strong. plus hes red. :D


    blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!!


    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Lionrampant.svg

    now thats a fucking flag :cool:
    oh scary... 40000 morbidly obese christians wearing fanny packs invading europe is probably the least scariest thing since I watched an edited version of The Care Bears movie in an extremely brightly lit cinema.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    dunkman wrote:
    blasphemy!!!!!!!!!!!


    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Lionrampant.svg

    now thats a fucking flag :cool:

    yeah yeah sorry dunk, but my opinion stands. its a DRAGON!! for craps sake... a DRAGON!! those critters are cool as fuck. :p:D


    isnt the lion rampant the royal standard? sorry im an antimonarchist and as such cant be in favour of any flag that represents them. besides isnt your flag the plain old cross of st andrew anyway? :p
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • jamie ukjamie uk Posts: 3,812
    What an amusing if strange feeling it is to dip into a thread and find out that page one was devoted almost entirely to taking the piss out of yourself, and you had no idea :rolleyes:
    *gets out black book and adds names*.....
    Dunk
    Cate
    Chime
    Jamie
    Emmi
    Consider yourselves logged ;)
    I came, I saw, I concurred.....
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    jamie uk wrote:
    What an amusing if strange feeling it is to dip into a thread and find out that page one was devoted almost entirely to taking the piss out of yourself, and you had no idea :rolleyes:
    *gets out black book and adds names*.....
    Dunk
    Cate
    Chime
    Jamie
    Emmi
    Consider yourselves logged ;)

    you had to add my name jamie. i thought i was already in your black book. :p:D

    just be thankful we didnt grab you in a headlock and ruffle your hair with our knuckles. :D
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • jamie ukjamie uk Posts: 3,812
    catefrances wrote:
    you had to add my name jamie. i thought i was already in your black book. :p:D

    just be thankful we didnt grab you in a headlock and ruffle your hair with our knuckles. :D

    we call that a 'thimble pie' here .....hurts like hell if you get it right.
    I came, I saw, I concurred.....
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    I saw Amy Winehouse on my way home from playing a gig tonight. Dang, that woman was some tattoos.
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