Q&A
How quickly can you get in?
Most of the time I can stay about two to three weeks booked out, with small windows open for the quick walk ins. Niki keeps me pretty steadily booked up, on top of Legacy Tattoo having an outstanding reputation as a whole shop. You are always welcome to email and find out if something sooner is available.
Most of the time I can stay about two to three weeks booked out, with small windows open for the quick walk ins. Niki keeps me pretty steadily booked up, on top of Legacy Tattoo having an outstanding reputation as a whole shop. You are always welcome to email and find out if something sooner is available.
What kind of styles do I like to do?
Personally I love doing color tattoos, and would love to incorporate more outer space, heavy paint effects, geometric designs, nature scenes, or under water imagery. Any surrealist ideas are welcomed. I would like to work on a larger scale so I can get better details. This year I will be focusing harder on planning out larger pieces from start to finish, refining my skill for higher details and quality, and committing more hours to your tattoos.
Personally I love doing color tattoos, and would love to incorporate more outer space, heavy paint effects, geometric designs, nature scenes, or under water imagery. Any surrealist ideas are welcomed. I would like to work on a larger scale so I can get better details. This year I will be focusing harder on planning out larger pieces from start to finish, refining my skill for higher details and quality, and committing more hours to your tattoos.
What should you consider before getting your tattoo idea?
Considering your size and placement is generally the first things to do. But have you considered what will come later, and if this idea will affect tattoos you might want later? One thing I see commonly is early tattoos on forearms or upper arms that are right in the middle of what eventually want to be sleeves and don't match the theme. It's much harder to make things flow off of your first tattoo without a baseline idea of what that will be. If you've already had some of these areas tattooed, don't be discouraged as I usually recommend those to be your mix and match sleeve.
Considering your size and placement is generally the first things to do. But have you considered what will come later, and if this idea will affect tattoos you might want later? One thing I see commonly is early tattoos on forearms or upper arms that are right in the middle of what eventually want to be sleeves and don't match the theme. It's much harder to make things flow off of your first tattoo without a baseline idea of what that will be. If you've already had some of these areas tattooed, don't be discouraged as I usually recommend those to be your mix and match sleeve.
Color vs Black & Gray
I find black and gray to be more popular lately, but trends constantly change. I love doing both, but would probably admit I'd personally like to do more large scale color tattoos. Contrary to popular belief, color doesn't necessarily fade any faster. Depending on what colors and where they are located, some colors are prone to lightening, but most colors hold up well these days. Each choice holds its merits, black and grey potentially hurts a little less, and generally is the safe choice for longevity. I find people with full colored sleeves or backs had to sit through a lot more pain, but also they are the ones who stand out in the crowd for having the jaw dropping pieces. You can get more values out of color of course, but not everyone craves the attention a fully colored sleeve will bring.
I find black and gray to be more popular lately, but trends constantly change. I love doing both, but would probably admit I'd personally like to do more large scale color tattoos. Contrary to popular belief, color doesn't necessarily fade any faster. Depending on what colors and where they are located, some colors are prone to lightening, but most colors hold up well these days. Each choice holds its merits, black and grey potentially hurts a little less, and generally is the safe choice for longevity. I find people with full colored sleeves or backs had to sit through a lot more pain, but also they are the ones who stand out in the crowd for having the jaw dropping pieces. You can get more values out of color of course, but not everyone craves the attention a fully colored sleeve will bring.
What can you expect a session to go like?
Your session time starts at the beginning of when you are scheduled, regardless of when you get into the shop. Generally speaking I try to be partially set up, but that is not always the case and the first 15-20min is used to verify the details of your tattoo, get the tattoo station set up, and get started. Not all tattoos are drawn ahead of time on the ipad, some times I will draw large portions on with markers and pens, as this help create the flow we want. Drawing time on you or the ipad is all part of the process, as having you there for your input is extremely helpful if we haven't decided every detail.
For larger sessions, the occasional break is warranted for both of us, but I try not to delay too long or often. Generally a 5 min break every hour or so. The last half hour of larger sessions or finishing a piece may be reserved for spraying off and cooling your tattoo of swelling for quality photos, which I attempt to factor in time management ahead of your session. Occasionally I will prefer to have you come back after finishing a large piece for a touch up and tightening session.
Your session time starts at the beginning of when you are scheduled, regardless of when you get into the shop. Generally speaking I try to be partially set up, but that is not always the case and the first 15-20min is used to verify the details of your tattoo, get the tattoo station set up, and get started. Not all tattoos are drawn ahead of time on the ipad, some times I will draw large portions on with markers and pens, as this help create the flow we want. Drawing time on you or the ipad is all part of the process, as having you there for your input is extremely helpful if we haven't decided every detail.
For larger sessions, the occasional break is warranted for both of us, but I try not to delay too long or often. Generally a 5 min break every hour or so. The last half hour of larger sessions or finishing a piece may be reserved for spraying off and cooling your tattoo of swelling for quality photos, which I attempt to factor in time management ahead of your session. Occasionally I will prefer to have you come back after finishing a large piece for a touch up and tightening session.
What do you need to consider when doing a full sleeve/leg/back/chest tattoo?
Do you want your tattoo to be one cohesive theme? It's not for everyone to commit one idea to their body so extensively, but should you choose to have a mix and match sleeve, it's much harder to make this style "flow" as things rarely have anything to do with each other, and you've generally acquired these pieces over the course of several years. These sleeves are more common as we don't always know how much we will want tattoos early on, and sticking them loosely on one limb is a positive way of keeping some areas for your "personality pieces", while keeping other areas open for your "art pieces". Don't worry too much about making the mix and match sleeves flow, or to accomplish them quickly. They grow over time and usually end with a basic, non distraction filler. For flow, you'd usually want a themed sleeve or leg. A themed piece should be planned out fairly well from start to finish. There is always room to change a little, or grow new ideas to add but they should be researched, images discussed over a consult, and a loose drawing idea established beforehand. These tattoos have greater flow with a specific idea or focus along a body part, but require more commitment since they stand out more as incomplete in between stages. Any of these large scale areas, it is not uncommon for them to take 25-30 hours total.
Do you want your tattoo to be one cohesive theme? It's not for everyone to commit one idea to their body so extensively, but should you choose to have a mix and match sleeve, it's much harder to make this style "flow" as things rarely have anything to do with each other, and you've generally acquired these pieces over the course of several years. These sleeves are more common as we don't always know how much we will want tattoos early on, and sticking them loosely on one limb is a positive way of keeping some areas for your "personality pieces", while keeping other areas open for your "art pieces". Don't worry too much about making the mix and match sleeves flow, or to accomplish them quickly. They grow over time and usually end with a basic, non distraction filler. For flow, you'd usually want a themed sleeve or leg. A themed piece should be planned out fairly well from start to finish. There is always room to change a little, or grow new ideas to add but they should be researched, images discussed over a consult, and a loose drawing idea established beforehand. These tattoos have greater flow with a specific idea or focus along a body part, but require more commitment since they stand out more as incomplete in between stages. Any of these large scale areas, it is not uncommon for them to take 25-30 hours total.