Thinking of getting some tattoo's...

CyclingBantam

Who's got some? I'm getting something cycling related and have a few idea's but eventually want to have a full/half sleeve. Anything I should think about or know? Any idea's of tats I could get?

Really, let me know if you like them etc.

Ben

Jordan93

Don't have any ideas but full sleeves look the dogs ! I want one

AndyD2574

I have 3 really big tattoo's so the first thing is to make sure you really want one and once you have decided think REALLY HARD about the design...............all mine have been designed for me and not out of some book so they are unique and mean something to me.

Research your artist and look at their portfolio and DONT go to a tattooist that takes you in from the street..............a good artist should consult with you and refine the design for you to approve coz its on you forever.

Next be under no illusion that IT HURTS!!!!...............I have my ribs covered with a Pheonix.......pain.............I also have a sleeve that goes into my armpit...............pain!

You will find that an area that someone finds sore you might be ok with.

Take your time to decide and research and then go for it.

My next one is cycling related and its dead simple..................a tattoo of a wheel coz it means sometjhing to me and is simple and its going on the inside of my bicep!

Let us know what you decide mate

holmeboy

I think tatoo's are sh*t! Why would anyone want a stranger to draw on them? Arm tatoo's look like dirty arms from any distance and quite quickly all colours turn dark blue like ordinary ink from a pen. Ask any older blokes if they really regret there oh so cool back then tatoo's?

DaSy

I have a half sleeve, and have to say that I prefer traditional art (Japanese art is my favourite), it stands the test of time better.

If it's your first tattoo, I would say wait until you are sure of what you want, and get a descent sized one, half sleeve, full sleeve etc. You only regret the little ones and end up getting them covered up in my experience, and I think lots of little ones looks scrappy and untidy - but that's me!

Half sleeves are easier to cover up if your job etc is funny about such things.

This has all started me thinking about my next one, a Koi Dragon has been calling me for a long time, or a half sleeve of Japanese flowers...my missus will not be happy though.

Edit to add - I'm 45 and don't regret my tattoos one bit.

AndyD2574

holmeboy wrote:

I think tatoo's are sh*t! Why would anyone want a stranger to draw on them? Arm tatoo's look like dirty arms from any distance and quite quickly all colours turn dark blue like ordinary ink from a pen. Ask any older blokes if they really regret there oh so cool back then tatoo's?

Had my tattoo's for 12 years and still as clear and black as the day they went on! You must have talked to some guys with censored tattoos' mate!
If you find a good artist with good technique then sorted.

brin

got arms tattooed years ago before all this new stuff came out,look a bit dated now. got 4 dragons on my back in last 3 years, 2 of which i got designed myself, so are unique, just be careful what parts of your body you get tattooed, you might regret it later, neck and face are definitely a no go.

DaSy

Yeah, AndyD2574 is right though, it does bloody hurt. The inside of the bicep and the armpit were particular highlights for me, and after 3 or so hours per sitting, you feel you have earned your tattoo.

As Andy said, make sure you research your artist, they are not all equal.

LazyBoycp

How about getting

first and see how you like them?

CyclingBantam

Wow thanks for the quick replys. Excellent advice in there. In terms of thinking about it, it has been milling round my mind for about 4 years now so I am comfortable it is not a rash descision and at 28 I'm hopeful it is not the folly of youth!

One of my idea's is to get the Jaques Anquetil charactor from Belleville Rendezvouz some how combined with a map/ details of a route I cycled from uk to Italy last year.

The problem is I'm not very good with art so it is hard to picture exactly shat to do / how it would look.

DaSy

My riding buddy said he was going to get a full sleeve tattoo, and turned up next ride with a pair of those arm warmers on, I don't think I have ever seen anything gayer in my entire life, I almost passed out laughing at him!

DaSy

Ben, that's where the artist comes in, a good one should be able to make a design from that info, plus any art you can supply of the individual components, and then you can refine it from there to something you are happy with....good luck with it.

GiantMike

If you like, you can have a tattoo of me riding my bike. Just let me know where to send the drawing to. If you have it on your scrotum I won't even charge a royalty fee.

shouldbeinbed

DaSy wrote:

Ben, that's where the artist comes in, a good one should be able to make a design from that info, plus any art you can supply of the individual components, and then you can refine it from there to something you are happy with....good luck with it.

+1 take your time and make sure you find a decent tattoist - that is absolutely paramount, everything else will falli nto place after that. Go and find people that have been done at various places and have a look at the quality of the work, If you see a really good one stop the person and ask where it came from. take note of the colours and/or grey tones, how blended and smooth the transitions are etc, that edges are right and don't look splattered. I've got a couple, one that was done at a less good establishment that my really good one has now tidied and added my new design around.

If yr thinking full sleeve eventually, have an idea in mind to start with and chat with the tattoist you choose and ensure that even if you do do it in bits, you both have in mind that it'll look good individually or as part of a larger design.
My eldest has had a few and we're quite pally with our guy, he's got a good rep now and gets lots of people that have had back street jobs done and want them fixing - some are absolutely horrendous.

Homer J

AndyD2574 wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

I think tatoo's are sh*t! Why would anyone want a stranger to draw on them? Arm tatoo's look like dirty arms from any distance and quite quickly all colours turn dark blue like ordinary ink from a pen. Ask any older blokes if they really regret there oh so cool back then tatoo's?

Had my tattoo's for 12 years and still as clear and black as the day they went on! You must have talked to some guys with shoot tattoos' mate!
If you find a good artist with good technique then sorted.

+1

Also the quality of the inks has moved along in the last 10 years, where as before they just look like green/blue blobs. I've had mine since 1990 and they have not faded or anything.

Like Andy says research your artist and your subject, a good tattooist does not just trace out of a book. Getting a sleeve for your first tat is a big move so think hard about this one, as I know that they are in fashion at the moment with a few celebs with them and tat tv shows. I have a military related one and I can live with that, but I’m not sure I could handle one of a halfords bike or Lance Armstrong . The guy that did mine is called Darren Stares, I think he has a website somewhere.

zedders

I don't have any tattoos, but I have been thinking about getting one myself for a long time. But what puts me off is in years to come they will look shite. I've seen many a tattoo on many folk, and as time goes on they fade and burr?

Just one thing mate, if you do have one with any sort of writing, make sure you don't do a Beckham or that Rugby player (with the neck tatt) and spell it wrong!

jim453

Take the literally hundreds if not thousands of pounds that you would spend on a good quality full sleeve tattoo and go and buy your self some really expensive clothes that you've wanted for ages. Or a ridiculously nice watch or pair of shoes.

Anything, as long as you can take it/them off when you're bored of them.

I'm glad there are people here who are still really pleased with their body art even years later, but I'll bet for every person who is still pleased there are hundreds who wish they hadn't bothered.

pottssteve

My advice is:

If you're thinking of having any words done to get someone who can spell and punctuate correctly - there's no apostrophe in "tattoos".

Make sure you really, really want it before you get it done....

Cressers

Will you still be happy with the designs in ten years? Bear in mind that in the future you will be undressed by medical staff and future sexual partners, what do you think they will think of your tatty tats?

rick_chasey

Tattoos look good...
















..in prison.

Bunneh

... when viewed from behind?

Anonymous

I'd get a picture of an Anchor with the letter 'W' above it.

CyclingBantam

You know, it had never crossed my mind I might not like them... :roll:

It wasn't a thread about do you like tattoos or not and it does annoy me when people sneer at others with tats etc. I maybe don't like your nose or fat censored but I wouldn't comment!

I will have a go at drawing up some designs. I have an idea where I will go but will spend a while deciding. I would far rather do something and regret it as opposed to regretting not having done anything.

RichN95.

Tattoos are for pornstars and pirates.

GiantMike

BenBlyth wrote:

I would far rather do something and regret it as opposed to regretting not having done anything.

Well go for it then.

I have the same mentality for some things, but I think I would have regretted having a tattoo, especially as the fashion changes every couple of years. Wouldn't it be like having the same hair style and wearing the same kind of trainers for the rest of your life?

rick_chasey

BenBlyth wrote:

It wasn't a thread about do you like tattoos or not and it does annoy me when people sneer at others with tats etc. I maybe don't like your nose or fat ars* but I wouldn't comment!

.

I guess people who have fat arses haven't 'designed' them and paid for them.

if you don't like people sneering at tattoos, don't get one! Then no sneering will occur.

Herbie The Dog

RichN95 wrote:

Tattoos are for pornstars and pirates.

I've just finished filming Pirates of the Caribbean 4: Conkers Deep In The Girl's Dorm and I don't have any tattoos.

Am I missing out?

Pross

I have a small one on my arm, had it done about 12 years ago by Dai Fleet in Blackwood who has won many awards. Mine is a straight from the book design but he does fantastic body art. One of the most impressive of his designs is a full battle scene from Rourkes Drift on someone's back, if done on canvas pretty much anyone would class it as a work of art. I wouldn't personally have a huge tatoo done but I still like the one I have. I also found it didn't really hurt as some people make out, more a slight burning feeling than any serious pain although I was told that black hurts more for some reason :? For a first tatoo it may be worth just having a small, easily covered design before deciding if you want something more conspicuous.

ilm_zero7

holmeboy wrote:

I think tatoo's are sh*t! Why would anyone want a stranger to draw on them? Arm tatoo's look like dirty arms from any distance and quite quickly all colours turn dark blue like ordinary ink from a pen. Ask any older blokes if they really regret there oh so cool back then tatoo's?

agree - yobs and trailer trash

Mad Roadie

doesnt this say it all though!!

GiantMike

Although, to be fair, there are a lot of cnuts, yobs, asbos etc WITHOUT tattoos.