"The Artistry and Process Behind Custom Tattooing: A Closer Look"
Some clients prefer to pick a flash design out of a book, and some would rather have a design drawn just for them. When you choose to get a custom tattoo, you're allowing the artist to have a degree of creative freedom with the consideration of your ideas and references.
The average person might not fully understand the amount of work that goes into a custom tattoo, especially if it's a larger design. Even as an experienced artist, custom tattooing can be tedious as there is a lot that goes into it.
THE PROCESS OF A CUSTOM TATTOO
While every artist's process is different, this is a general outline to give you an idea of how the process of creating a custom tattoo goes.
You have a consultation with your desired artist to discuss the tattoo design. During this consultation you'll talk about size, placement, color, design, and budget. This is your chance to fully divulge what your expectations are for the tattoo, and the artists chance to understand what you're looking for. The artist will likely take a tracing of the area that is to be tattooed. They will use the tracing to make sure the design will fit the area and flow of your body.
The artist spends many hours researching the subject matter and perfecting the tattoo design. Some designs, depending on placement and size, will be much more arduous than others. Either way, the artist puts a substantial amount of effort into designing a tattoo, big or small. This is why artists require a nonrefundable deposit before drawing your tattoo. A deposit ensures that an artist's drawing time is compensated for if the client doesn't show up for their appointment.
Your artist may schedule a consultation before your tattoo appointment (upon request) for you to approve your tattoo. Often times, the artist will suggest showing up to your tattoo appointment 15-20 minutes early to approve your tattoo. If changes need to be made, they can do so before your appointment time.
If you're unhappy with the design and would like large changes to be made, the artist may require a second deposit since they already spent many hours drawing for you.
FINDING THE RIGHT ARTIST
As previously mentioned, when you sign up for a custom tattoo, you're granting the artist creative freedom. This means that you need to find an artist you trust and whose work you love.
Research and review artist's portfolios to make sure you know what you're in for. Don't ask a traditional artist to do a realism sleeve or a black and grey artist to do color. If you choose a random artist, you may find yourself disappointed at the outcome of your tattoo.
TIPS FOR SETTING UP A CUSTOM TATTOO
THOROUGHLY THINK THROUGH YOUR TATTOO BEFORE MEETING WITH AN ARTIST
It can be very frustrating to an artist if you set up a consultation and have zero idea of what you want. Unless you're granting them total creative freedom, show up to your consultation with a detailed idea of what you want and references to demonstrate the type of work you're looking for. Know as much as you possibly can about what you want when asking for a custom tattoo. This doesn't mean you can't be flexible or go into your consultation with questions, just make sure that you're able to provide your artist with the information they need to give you the tattoo you want.
It's beneficial if you share reference photos from the artist's own portfolio. For example, "I like the style you used here" or "the color palette you used in this tattoo is what I'm looking for."
DON'T ASK YOUR ARTIST TO COPY SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK
You chose your artist for a reason, let their personal style shine through. Many people ask for a tattoo and want it to look exactly like the reference they've found. If this is the case, find the artist of the reference and get tattooed by them.
AVOID CONTINUOUSLY DEMAND SMALL CHANGES
If you're constantly demanding your artist change the small details of the design, you may have chosen an artist that isn't for you. When you choose an artist, you're choosing to trust their creative instinct. It can be insulting to constantly critique and change someones work, which is why it's so important to choose an artist you trust so you don't have to do this.
If you find yourself constantly wanting to change the tattoo, you should contemplate why this is. If you're not 100% about the idea, design, placement, etc. you may want to hold off and wait until you're ready for the commitment of a tattoo.
DON'T EXPECT AN ARTIST TO SEND YOU PHOTOS OF THE DESIGN PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT
Many clients ask their artist to send a photo of the design before their appointment and become frustrated when the artist tells them no. There's a couple reasons why artists don't like sending photos of the design.
People will ask for a photo of the design and take it to a cheaper artist to have it tattooed.
The client shows the design to all their friends and accumulate a bunch of opinions on what needs to be changed. This can become a never-ending cycle if the artist agrees to the changes.
Tattoo artists are busy. Sometimes the design isn't drawn up until last minute.
DON'T RELY ON YOUR FRIENDS ADVICE
We get it, you value your friends opinions. However, when it comes to the technical factors of a tattoo, such as design, aging, placement, etc., your tattoo artist is the professional, not your friend. Your friend's opinion doesn't outweigh the expertise of the artist.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When you get a tattoo, you're getting an original piece of artwork permanently engraved on your body. The process is more intimate than your average customer service experience. Be the best client you can be by showing up to your consultation prepared with your research done and references at hand. Be open-minded, a good listener, and respectable. Do your part and trust your artist to do theirs.
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