Tattoo needles really should not be used more than once, especially when tattooing different people. The tubes and other equipment, however, can be sterilized and used again. If you are tattooing yourself at home and are reusing needles, you need to be extremely careful on how you sterilize them. Boiling in hot water, burning with a match or cleaning with alcohol does not sterilize a used tattoo needle. With that said, there is only one way to properly and safely sterilize tattoo needles and equipment and that is by using an autoclave. An autoclave uses extreme heat and pressure to kill off any living organism on the object it is cleaning and is the only true and safe way to disinfect. Here is how to sterilize your tattoo needles and equipment using an autoclave. I divided the process into five steps.
1.Find an autoclave. Visit your local tattoo shop and ask the proprietor where he purchased his tattoo equipment. You can also buy autoclaves at medical supply stores online or by checking eBay, Amazon or even Craigslist. Dental offices use autoclaves as well, so you can ask your dentist for information on where to purchase.
2.Set up your autoclave. Make sure that you follow the directions that come with your autoclave to ensure that it is properly set up for disinfecting
3.Pre-wash your needles and tubes. Put on a pair of heavy rubber gloves and an apron. Carefully scrub the equipment out with soap and water and leave in the soapy hot water to soak for 5 minutes.
4.Use the autoclave. Place the pre-washed needles and tubes in the autoclave bag or basket and place them in the autoclave machine. Make sure the water level is between the high and low level marks and turn it on.
5.Sterilize your needles and equipment. The average autoclave cycle is between 1 to 2 hours, but make sure to check the instructions for the specific machine you are using
Monday, 31 March 2014
Friday, 28 March 2014
My first tattoo gift at the age of 68
Nowadays,more and more old people start to pay attention to tattoo arts. They become fashionable just like young people pursuing the new things. There are many examples i can recommend to you. For instance, David Dimbleby has got his first tattoo at the age of 75 - a scorpion on his shoulder. Jean Cook, now in her 80s, got her first inking at 68 and says it's really no big deal.
Cook, from Chesterfield, had never thought about getting a tattoo until the idea popped into her head when she got older. She started talking to people about it and finally got it on the spur of the moment.
"I was at my son's house and one day he said 'come on then', shoved me in the car and took me to the tattoo place round the corner. I would never have done it myself. It was around Mother's day, he bought it as a gift," she says.
Cook says she didn't even have the time to be scared that it would be painful or to wonder if it would turn out well. "I just picked a rose as I liked it in the shop."
When the tattoo shop moved into the town center a year later, Cook says she saw it one day and thought: "I will go in and get another one on my other arm." She marched in and picked a butterfly. She was 69.
Cook says the reaction to an 80-something woman with tattoos on both arms is fairly muted, but that some people are quite impressed when they find out how old she was when she got them.
"Some people think I am daft when they know how old I was when I had it," she says.
Her family thought it was great - after all, it was her son who spurred her on. "Everyone else is a mixed bag. No one is that bothered these days. It's not as surprising as it once was."
Cook can't help showing off her tattoos, thanks to their position on her arms but she says she forgets about them until someone brings them up.
She's not currently tempted to get any more body art. "I think I am done," she says.
Cook, from Chesterfield, had never thought about getting a tattoo until the idea popped into her head when she got older. She started talking to people about it and finally got it on the spur of the moment.
"I was at my son's house and one day he said 'come on then', shoved me in the car and took me to the tattoo place round the corner. I would never have done it myself. It was around Mother's day, he bought it as a gift," she says.
Cook says she didn't even have the time to be scared that it would be painful or to wonder if it would turn out well. "I just picked a rose as I liked it in the shop."
When the tattoo shop moved into the town center a year later, Cook says she saw it one day and thought: "I will go in and get another one on my other arm." She marched in and picked a butterfly. She was 69.
Cook says the reaction to an 80-something woman with tattoos on both arms is fairly muted, but that some people are quite impressed when they find out how old she was when she got them.
"Some people think I am daft when they know how old I was when I had it," she says.
Her family thought it was great - after all, it was her son who spurred her on. "Everyone else is a mixed bag. No one is that bothered these days. It's not as surprising as it once was."
Cook can't help showing off her tattoos, thanks to their position on her arms but she says she forgets about them until someone brings them up.
She's not currently tempted to get any more body art. "I think I am done," she says.
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Exclusive Variety of Tattoo Supplies for Beginners and Artist
Tattooing has gained immense popularity worldwide over the past few years. There are thousands of tattoo artists around the world who are making an excellent career in this profession. However, to meet the standards of this profession, these artists should use high quality tattoo supplies which include tattoo guns or tattoo machines, tattoo needles, tattoo ink and so on. Tattoodiy.com is an online store that offers exclusive tattoo equipment for both beginners as well as professional tattoo artists. High quality tattoo kits are available at affordable prices right here. Tattoo artists can pick the best tattoo tools here according to their personal style and budget.
One of the core and essential items in a tattoo kit is the tattoo machine. Each and every tattoo artist has his or her own style of working with the machines. The store offers a wide range of tattoo machines right from coil machines to rotary machines. Those artists who are experts in using the coil machines, the store offers high quality coil machines for them. And artists who like their machines to be quite, consistent, light and precise, they might want to check for the rotaries. There are electric tattoo machines which are available in different power variations.
For tattoo artists, the skin that they are going to paint on is the only canvas that they have. And hence they take utmost care and caution while working on their clients’ skin. They need to choose the right tattoo supplies including tattoo needles and tattoo ink so as bring out a vibrant tattoo as per their customers’ needs and requirements. Tattoo artists can find the best of tattoo colors for their needlework right here. They can find some of the world famous and branded inks at this store. Customers must browse the store to see a great variety of cheap tattoo kit, beginner tattoo kit, tattoo grips, tattoo tubes, tattoo guns and many more.
To browse through the variety of tattoo supplies visit website www.tattoodiy.com
About www.tattoodiy.com
Dragonhawk Company, www.tattoodiy.com was founded in 2001. It is one of the major manufacturers and No.1 supplier and provides tattoo supplies to various countries such as USA, UK, Australia and many more. The store offers a great variety of tattoo kits, machines, inks and miscellaneous supplies to beginners as well as professional tattoo artists.
Media Contact
Dragonhawk Company
Email: service@tattoodiy.com
Website URL: http://www.tattoodiy.com/
One of the core and essential items in a tattoo kit is the tattoo machine. Each and every tattoo artist has his or her own style of working with the machines. The store offers a wide range of tattoo machines right from coil machines to rotary machines. Those artists who are experts in using the coil machines, the store offers high quality coil machines for them. And artists who like their machines to be quite, consistent, light and precise, they might want to check for the rotaries. There are electric tattoo machines which are available in different power variations.
For tattoo artists, the skin that they are going to paint on is the only canvas that they have. And hence they take utmost care and caution while working on their clients’ skin. They need to choose the right tattoo supplies including tattoo needles and tattoo ink so as bring out a vibrant tattoo as per their customers’ needs and requirements. Tattoo artists can find the best of tattoo colors for their needlework right here. They can find some of the world famous and branded inks at this store. Customers must browse the store to see a great variety of cheap tattoo kit, beginner tattoo kit, tattoo grips, tattoo tubes, tattoo guns and many more.
To browse through the variety of tattoo supplies visit website www.tattoodiy.com
About www.tattoodiy.com
Dragonhawk Company, www.tattoodiy.com was founded in 2001. It is one of the major manufacturers and No.1 supplier and provides tattoo supplies to various countries such as USA, UK, Australia and many more. The store offers a great variety of tattoo kits, machines, inks and miscellaneous supplies to beginners as well as professional tattoo artists.
Media Contact
Dragonhawk Company
Email: service@tattoodiy.com
Website URL: http://www.tattoodiy.com/
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
My first shopping experience in cheap tattoo kit
There are lots of tattoo shop online and reality shop that sell the cheap tattoo kits . I have been willing to buy a set of cheap tattoo kit and then start my tattoo career. Honestly speaking, since i got a tattoo from my friends,and then i really fall in love with it. And my friends tell me that if i have passion in it and willing to spend time on it to improve the skills, one day i could be the leader in this industry. So i am so confident to buy my first tattoo kit, as in that case i need not to go to many of shops for different tattoo equipment. I really want to share my first shopping experience on cheap tattoo kit.
At first i choose several tattoo shops where sell the tattoo equipment, such as the tattoo machine, tattoo needles and others. Of cause the shops i chose have a good reputation in the industry and those are introduced by my friends. After all they have experience in this. But what make me surprise is that the tattoo kit sols in these shops are not very expensive. So i was so happy to find it. For a beginner if you want to open a tattoo shop, which really could cost lots of money. but if i could save my money from the cheap tattoo kit and i could do lots of other things. It dose not cost much time on picking up the tattoo kit. I choose a tattoo kit that contained all of the tattoo equipment, except the tattoo equipment there is also the practice skin and the DVD. I think the practice skin really help me a lot. I do not have tattoo experience at all, i could use the practice skin to improve my tattoo skills. What is more, i do not want to let myself and friends be my experiment. I should tell you the importance of the DVD, which really tell somethings vital ,such as how to set up the tattoo machines, and how to adjust tattoo machines. Even though i could turn to my friends for advance, i do not want to bother them many times.
After shopping, there is no long time to receive my cheap tattoo kit. Once i got it, i try to set up the tattoo machine and check the tattoo needles. Because there are some different types of tattoo needles for line and shader. In a word, my first shopping on tattoo kit is really nice.
At first i choose several tattoo shops where sell the tattoo equipment, such as the tattoo machine, tattoo needles and others. Of cause the shops i chose have a good reputation in the industry and those are introduced by my friends. After all they have experience in this. But what make me surprise is that the tattoo kit sols in these shops are not very expensive. So i was so happy to find it. For a beginner if you want to open a tattoo shop, which really could cost lots of money. but if i could save my money from the cheap tattoo kit and i could do lots of other things. It dose not cost much time on picking up the tattoo kit. I choose a tattoo kit that contained all of the tattoo equipment, except the tattoo equipment there is also the practice skin and the DVD. I think the practice skin really help me a lot. I do not have tattoo experience at all, i could use the practice skin to improve my tattoo skills. What is more, i do not want to let myself and friends be my experiment. I should tell you the importance of the DVD, which really tell somethings vital ,such as how to set up the tattoo machines, and how to adjust tattoo machines. Even though i could turn to my friends for advance, i do not want to bother them many times.
After shopping, there is no long time to receive my cheap tattoo kit. Once i got it, i try to set up the tattoo machine and check the tattoo needles. Because there are some different types of tattoo needles for line and shader. In a word, my first shopping on tattoo kit is really nice.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
tattoo museum to record the development of the tattoo
We all know that tattoo art has developed a long time from the ancient times, however the tattoo equipment also made great progress. Maybe you know people use the stone or stick to make the tattoo on human’s body. After all the science and technology push and promote the tattoo machine more and more advanced owing to human’s passion to the tattoo. So people decide to open a museum to show the tattoo machine.
In a nod to the legacy of body art that sprang up in nearby Chatham Square and the Bowery, the Lower East Side tattoo parlor Daredevil Tattoo is transforming part of its Division Street store into a museum, showcasing hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, including tattoo design mock ups more than a century old.
"We are right in the midst of this really rich historical area for tattooing in New York City and for the country," said Michelle Myles, 42, who co-owns Daredevil with her business partner Brad Fink.
Daredevil's planned Tattoo Museum — which owners hope to open in May — will allow museum patrons to pore over artifacts pinned to the wall behind thick glass, while patrons and tattoo artists continue to use the space as a working tattoo parlor.
The centerpiece of the whole collection is a precursor to the modern tattoo machine — an Edison Pen from the late 1800s.
"Thomas Edison invented the engraving pen — it punched holes in paper and that is how they made copies," said Myles. "[Samuel] O’Reilly modified the design to be a tattoo machine. That invention completely changed tattooing.
Myles said historians believe O'Reilly used his morphed Edison Pen in about 1890, when he worked in Chatham Square, which was crowded with tattoo parlors and flophouses at the time.
A tattoo sketch of O'Reilly's — a snake wrapped around a dagger — will also be displayed.
The museum will be free, Myles said, and its hours of operation will be the same as its tattooing hours — from midday to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Daredevil's owners have been collecting tattoo memorabilia since the mid-1990s, they said. They found antique sideshow banners advertising heavily tattooed men and women as oddities, travel cases for equipment from the 1920s and tattoo designs sketched onto paper — also known as flash — that were traditionally pinned to walls for customers to choose from.
"Tattooing is very much a global community, and we are really hoping to provide a destination for tattoo people around the world," Myles said.
In a nod to the legacy of body art that sprang up in nearby Chatham Square and the Bowery, the Lower East Side tattoo parlor Daredevil Tattoo is transforming part of its Division Street store into a museum, showcasing hundreds of pieces of memorabilia, including tattoo design mock ups more than a century old.
"We are right in the midst of this really rich historical area for tattooing in New York City and for the country," said Michelle Myles, 42, who co-owns Daredevil with her business partner Brad Fink.
Daredevil's planned Tattoo Museum — which owners hope to open in May — will allow museum patrons to pore over artifacts pinned to the wall behind thick glass, while patrons and tattoo artists continue to use the space as a working tattoo parlor.
The centerpiece of the whole collection is a precursor to the modern tattoo machine — an Edison Pen from the late 1800s.
"Thomas Edison invented the engraving pen — it punched holes in paper and that is how they made copies," said Myles. "[Samuel] O’Reilly modified the design to be a tattoo machine. That invention completely changed tattooing.
Myles said historians believe O'Reilly used his morphed Edison Pen in about 1890, when he worked in Chatham Square, which was crowded with tattoo parlors and flophouses at the time.
A tattoo sketch of O'Reilly's — a snake wrapped around a dagger — will also be displayed.
The museum will be free, Myles said, and its hours of operation will be the same as its tattooing hours — from midday to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Daredevil's owners have been collecting tattoo memorabilia since the mid-1990s, they said. They found antique sideshow banners advertising heavily tattooed men and women as oddities, travel cases for equipment from the 1920s and tattoo designs sketched onto paper — also known as flash — that were traditionally pinned to walls for customers to choose from.
"Tattooing is very much a global community, and we are really hoping to provide a destination for tattoo people around the world," Myles said.
Sunday, 23 March 2014
A Beginner Guide:How to Get a Tattoo
Tattoos last forever, or at least as long as your body lasts, which is pretty much forever in human terms.So before you head down to the nearest tattoo shop and roll up your sleeve, here's how to know what to expect.
1. Research! This is THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE STEPS.
Getting a good tattoo requires some actual preparation. Tattooing has become such a popularized trend... more people are tattooing now, more than ever, but just because someone gets the idea in their head that they want to be a tattooer doesn't mean that they have the proper training or the proper techniques. It's just like anything else: if you have the money, you can open up a shop, but that doesn't mean you know what you're doing."
2. Don't price shop.
If some guy says he'll give you a tattoo for 40 bucks, walk away. Instead, be ready to pay as much as it takes to get high quality work. Pick cheaper shoes or buy your rice in bulk if you want to save money, but when it comes to art that will be on your body until you die, don't expect to pay less than $100 before tip, and a lot more if you are getting something large or adding color.
3. Check out the shop in person.
When you find someone you think you like, go into the shop and meet the artist in real life before you actually get anything done. First, the shop should be clean. Check for work on display and see how you feel about the aesthetic in person. Then, go with your gut. Generally, if people are going to take the time to answer your questions and not be a dick, they have confidence in their work... you should never really feel pressured to get tattooed right then and there.
If you do your research and find a really great tattooer, you are 90 percent of the way to getting an awesome tattoo. The rest of these things will become a lot easier, because a good, professional tattooer will be looking out for you -- they want your tattoo to look awesome since it represents them. Remember though, this is your body and ultimately you make the decisions. So for better or worse, the end result is your responsibility.
4. Spend some time thinking about the design.
Obviously, this goes without saying but I am going to say it anyway: don't get something you really will regret. Pick something with personal meaning or something you think is beautiful. Go in ahead of time to talk to your tattoo artist about the design.
5. Don't be drunk.
You know better. Also, a good tattoo artist will not tattoo you if you are drunk.
6. Eat something before you go.
No one wants you to pass out. Eat dinner! Bring along some candy to chew on if you are getting something big done.
7. Don't come in with a posse.
Bring a friend if you are nervous or if you just want the company. But don't bring a pack. You did your research, remember? This is between you and the person putting it on your body. It doesn't really matter that your friend with no tattoos thinks it would look better in orange on your left kneecap.
8. Make sure it is really what you want.
The tattoo artist will put a transfer of the tattoo on your body in the place you want it before he actually starts in with the needle and ink (in this case Derick actually drew on me, but usually it starts with a transfer). Make sure you like the size and the placement. This is not the time to be passive. Listen to the tattooer (not your friends) but remember: your body, your choice.
1. Research! This is THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE STEPS.
Getting a good tattoo requires some actual preparation. Tattooing has become such a popularized trend... more people are tattooing now, more than ever, but just because someone gets the idea in their head that they want to be a tattooer doesn't mean that they have the proper training or the proper techniques. It's just like anything else: if you have the money, you can open up a shop, but that doesn't mean you know what you're doing."
2. Don't price shop.
If some guy says he'll give you a tattoo for 40 bucks, walk away. Instead, be ready to pay as much as it takes to get high quality work. Pick cheaper shoes or buy your rice in bulk if you want to save money, but when it comes to art that will be on your body until you die, don't expect to pay less than $100 before tip, and a lot more if you are getting something large or adding color.
3. Check out the shop in person.
When you find someone you think you like, go into the shop and meet the artist in real life before you actually get anything done. First, the shop should be clean. Check for work on display and see how you feel about the aesthetic in person. Then, go with your gut. Generally, if people are going to take the time to answer your questions and not be a dick, they have confidence in their work... you should never really feel pressured to get tattooed right then and there.
If you do your research and find a really great tattooer, you are 90 percent of the way to getting an awesome tattoo. The rest of these things will become a lot easier, because a good, professional tattooer will be looking out for you -- they want your tattoo to look awesome since it represents them. Remember though, this is your body and ultimately you make the decisions. So for better or worse, the end result is your responsibility.
4. Spend some time thinking about the design.
Obviously, this goes without saying but I am going to say it anyway: don't get something you really will regret. Pick something with personal meaning or something you think is beautiful. Go in ahead of time to talk to your tattoo artist about the design.
5. Don't be drunk.
You know better. Also, a good tattoo artist will not tattoo you if you are drunk.
6. Eat something before you go.
No one wants you to pass out. Eat dinner! Bring along some candy to chew on if you are getting something big done.
7. Don't come in with a posse.
Bring a friend if you are nervous or if you just want the company. But don't bring a pack. You did your research, remember? This is between you and the person putting it on your body. It doesn't really matter that your friend with no tattoos thinks it would look better in orange on your left kneecap.
8. Make sure it is really what you want.
The tattoo artist will put a transfer of the tattoo on your body in the place you want it before he actually starts in with the needle and ink (in this case Derick actually drew on me, but usually it starts with a transfer). Make sure you like the size and the placement. This is not the time to be passive. Listen to the tattooer (not your friends) but remember: your body, your choice.
Saturday, 22 March 2014
How to tattoo portraits and realism
Enabled tattoo portrait better response in realism, in other words, is the portrait of how to make the tattoo come out more beautiful, about this topic, we need to discuss from two aspects of portrait itself and the tattoo skills.
The term portrait work does not always apply to people. Any tattoo that is photo realistic is considered as being portrait work. If you tattoo a soda can as realistic as possible then you have done a portrait tattoo. As time progresses, more and more clients are wanting photo realism tattoos. It use to be only the best could pull it off but know it’s a necessity of the industry. The problem with portrait work is that even the best artist in the world can only
work with what they have. If you use a bad picture then you will have a bad tattoo. The picture needs to be clear and close enough to see the detail in the face or of the object. You can only tattoo what you see. If someone brings
you a instant Polaroid, then they will have a tattoo of a Polaroid. Old and torn up pictures just will not work. The best to use is any picture taken from a professional photographer. Family portraits only work if you are tattooing the
entire family. If you have to enlarge the picture to see the face then it’s no good. Several artist do portraits in color, they look nice when they are done but after a few years the color pigments blend together making the portrait
blurry. I strongly recommend only doing portraits in black and grey. If you have ever seen the old black and white movies that they add color to later,then you know they don’t look natural. Most color portraits come out the same way.
Photo realism is different than just high detailed tattooing. With realism you need to have a picture to go by. High detail is simply adding some shading here and there to make a tattoo look more detailed where in realism you need to pay attention to the true lighting of the subject. Realism tattoos need to be at least three inches high for the main object so you will have plenty of room to apply the detail. The rule of thumb with a persons portrait is that the three inches should be measured from the chin to the begging in of the hair line. To achieve realism you are all but required to use mag fof smooth shading and a five or a three for the finer details. You cannot black outline any realism tattoo. Nothing in life has a black outline around it. Only tattoo solid black where you see it in the picture. I strongly suggest blood lining the entire piece. You can grey line if you wish , but most of the time you will be able to see the gray line after the tattoo is healed. If your subject is lighter, or say has grey hair, then you might want to consider applying some kind of back round that’s slightly darker then the image it’s self. A shadowing around certain sections of the object will do the trick. Make sure to practice the back round on paper before you tattoo it, you have to see what works and what doesn’t for each individual tattoo.
To making the pattern you can use a copy machine, but I prefer using a computer scanner, you loose less detail this way. Scan the image in and crop out around the main image only getting what you plan to tattoo in the picture. While you are editing the image in the computer is the time to add any names or dates that the client may want along with it. Size it accordingly and print the image on the highest resolution you can. Print several copies incase you make a mistake, and so you have at least one extra to have for comparison while you are tattooing. Never take an original picture back with you while you tattoo, you will get blood and pigment on the image every time and some pictures your client can’t replace. Lay the printed picture down on the stencil paper and trace every line you can leaving only the shading not on the pattern. With a portrait you might want to stencil any solid black areas filled in solid as a reference. If you have a stencil machine, I suggest doing the pattern by hand anyway so you have already drawn in before hand to get a better feel for the image. The biggest trick to tattooing portraits is the making of the pattern. When you are done it should look like a topographical map of the image. You will need to mark the separations or the various hues to function as reference points. Many artist work top to bottom and do the tattoo in a whole going that direction. This means that you would fully shade the tattoo as you move up, instead of blood lining the entire piece and doing the eyes, then mouth or what ever the case may be.When you have any realism tattoo with solid black words such as dates or names then you need to tattoo them first. Do the blood line work on the main image, then rinse and dry your needle to outline the words. With any tattoo, the outline is first, but in a portrait that may be the only outline.When you do a realism piece, you need to think of your self like a human copy machine, everything you see needs to be in the tattoo. You may want to set an appointment for these tattoos so you have time to work and play with the image before the tattooing. Portrait work is revered as the most difficult act
of tattooing, just take your time and don’t do them if you are not ready.
Using White
The use of white high light can add definition to any tattoo but in a portrait it will bring the subject to life. White is one of the fourteen shades of grey the human eye can distinguish, and should be used, but only if used properly. Too many artists are using white highlighting during black and grey like it’s going out of style. Too much white will take away from the tattoo and make it look not nearly as real. White should only go where you see it in the
picture. One of the best examples I can tell you is to go for a drive at night. While traveling in traffic, you can see the lights reflecting on the nearby car.Look for a white car, you can see the white paint of the car, then you can see
the bright white where the light is reflecting on the paint. This is the same idea. There is white area in a tattoo which should be considered skin tone,but then there are areas that need to be the color white. If you are tattooing
a metal object then only apply white where you see it in the picture. If your tattoo is the white car in traffic, then you only want to shade the paint job,and use white where the light reflection is. With use in a portrait, you only want to put white on what would naturally be wet or metal such as body jewelry and the frame of eye glasses. This is how white does its job. In a face you should only have white in the eyes where you see the glare and on the
teeth if they are smiling. Anywhere else will just make it look like its glowing in the dark. Realism is based on what is real, not where you think you want the real to be.
You hear everyone say “My skin won’t take white”. That is wrong. When an artist tells the client that their skin didn’t take the white then they are using a crappy white or they don’t know how to apply it properly. The down side of white is that being white it has a tendency to take the color of the skin above it after it heals. On an African American you will not be able to see white pigment as well as say a pale Irish completion. I have some American Indian in me so when I put white in myself it looks sort of cream due to the darker tone of my skin. This is the only problem with white. There is no excuse for it to just not show up at all. Artist think that white pigment is a color and should be applied like a color, but it is a shade of grey, or the absence of. To properly apply white when using as a color you need to go a little slower than you would with regular color pigment. If you are highlighting with white then you need to use it as if you were lining with black. Slow and steady. You cannot apply white quickly and expect it to stay. Because white will take on the form of any other color it comes into contact with, it should be the last color you use no matter what colors you’re using. Before you dip into the white you should also rinse the machine out more cautiously than any other time. If you have just a small bit of red, then the entire ink cap will be pink the first time you touch the needle in there. Take your time, and watch for color change, I have seen artist use white but tattoo pink without knowing more times then I can count.
The term portrait work does not always apply to people. Any tattoo that is photo realistic is considered as being portrait work. If you tattoo a soda can as realistic as possible then you have done a portrait tattoo. As time progresses, more and more clients are wanting photo realism tattoos. It use to be only the best could pull it off but know it’s a necessity of the industry. The problem with portrait work is that even the best artist in the world can only
work with what they have. If you use a bad picture then you will have a bad tattoo. The picture needs to be clear and close enough to see the detail in the face or of the object. You can only tattoo what you see. If someone brings
you a instant Polaroid, then they will have a tattoo of a Polaroid. Old and torn up pictures just will not work. The best to use is any picture taken from a professional photographer. Family portraits only work if you are tattooing the
entire family. If you have to enlarge the picture to see the face then it’s no good. Several artist do portraits in color, they look nice when they are done but after a few years the color pigments blend together making the portrait
blurry. I strongly recommend only doing portraits in black and grey. If you have ever seen the old black and white movies that they add color to later,then you know they don’t look natural. Most color portraits come out the same way.
Photo realism is different than just high detailed tattooing. With realism you need to have a picture to go by. High detail is simply adding some shading here and there to make a tattoo look more detailed where in realism you need to pay attention to the true lighting of the subject. Realism tattoos need to be at least three inches high for the main object so you will have plenty of room to apply the detail. The rule of thumb with a persons portrait is that the three inches should be measured from the chin to the begging in of the hair line. To achieve realism you are all but required to use mag fof smooth shading and a five or a three for the finer details. You cannot black outline any realism tattoo. Nothing in life has a black outline around it. Only tattoo solid black where you see it in the picture. I strongly suggest blood lining the entire piece. You can grey line if you wish , but most of the time you will be able to see the gray line after the tattoo is healed. If your subject is lighter, or say has grey hair, then you might want to consider applying some kind of back round that’s slightly darker then the image it’s self. A shadowing around certain sections of the object will do the trick. Make sure to practice the back round on paper before you tattoo it, you have to see what works and what doesn’t for each individual tattoo.
To making the pattern you can use a copy machine, but I prefer using a computer scanner, you loose less detail this way. Scan the image in and crop out around the main image only getting what you plan to tattoo in the picture. While you are editing the image in the computer is the time to add any names or dates that the client may want along with it. Size it accordingly and print the image on the highest resolution you can. Print several copies incase you make a mistake, and so you have at least one extra to have for comparison while you are tattooing. Never take an original picture back with you while you tattoo, you will get blood and pigment on the image every time and some pictures your client can’t replace. Lay the printed picture down on the stencil paper and trace every line you can leaving only the shading not on the pattern. With a portrait you might want to stencil any solid black areas filled in solid as a reference. If you have a stencil machine, I suggest doing the pattern by hand anyway so you have already drawn in before hand to get a better feel for the image. The biggest trick to tattooing portraits is the making of the pattern. When you are done it should look like a topographical map of the image. You will need to mark the separations or the various hues to function as reference points. Many artist work top to bottom and do the tattoo in a whole going that direction. This means that you would fully shade the tattoo as you move up, instead of blood lining the entire piece and doing the eyes, then mouth or what ever the case may be.When you have any realism tattoo with solid black words such as dates or names then you need to tattoo them first. Do the blood line work on the main image, then rinse and dry your needle to outline the words. With any tattoo, the outline is first, but in a portrait that may be the only outline.When you do a realism piece, you need to think of your self like a human copy machine, everything you see needs to be in the tattoo. You may want to set an appointment for these tattoos so you have time to work and play with the image before the tattooing. Portrait work is revered as the most difficult act
of tattooing, just take your time and don’t do them if you are not ready.
Using White
The use of white high light can add definition to any tattoo but in a portrait it will bring the subject to life. White is one of the fourteen shades of grey the human eye can distinguish, and should be used, but only if used properly. Too many artists are using white highlighting during black and grey like it’s going out of style. Too much white will take away from the tattoo and make it look not nearly as real. White should only go where you see it in the
picture. One of the best examples I can tell you is to go for a drive at night. While traveling in traffic, you can see the lights reflecting on the nearby car.Look for a white car, you can see the white paint of the car, then you can see
the bright white where the light is reflecting on the paint. This is the same idea. There is white area in a tattoo which should be considered skin tone,but then there are areas that need to be the color white. If you are tattooing
a metal object then only apply white where you see it in the picture. If your tattoo is the white car in traffic, then you only want to shade the paint job,and use white where the light reflection is. With use in a portrait, you only want to put white on what would naturally be wet or metal such as body jewelry and the frame of eye glasses. This is how white does its job. In a face you should only have white in the eyes where you see the glare and on the
teeth if they are smiling. Anywhere else will just make it look like its glowing in the dark. Realism is based on what is real, not where you think you want the real to be.
You hear everyone say “My skin won’t take white”. That is wrong. When an artist tells the client that their skin didn’t take the white then they are using a crappy white or they don’t know how to apply it properly. The down side of white is that being white it has a tendency to take the color of the skin above it after it heals. On an African American you will not be able to see white pigment as well as say a pale Irish completion. I have some American Indian in me so when I put white in myself it looks sort of cream due to the darker tone of my skin. This is the only problem with white. There is no excuse for it to just not show up at all. Artist think that white pigment is a color and should be applied like a color, but it is a shade of grey, or the absence of. To properly apply white when using as a color you need to go a little slower than you would with regular color pigment. If you are highlighting with white then you need to use it as if you were lining with black. Slow and steady. You cannot apply white quickly and expect it to stay. Because white will take on the form of any other color it comes into contact with, it should be the last color you use no matter what colors you’re using. Before you dip into the white you should also rinse the machine out more cautiously than any other time. If you have just a small bit of red, then the entire ink cap will be pink the first time you touch the needle in there. Take your time, and watch for color change, I have seen artist use white but tattoo pink without knowing more times then I can count.
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