Screwed up. Need ideas!

Woodness28 · 28 Aug 2021

Hi everyone. New to the site. I used my old school tattoo gun to make a cat on the moon tattoo after being awake for too long thanks to my PRESCRIBED adhd meds and screwed up. Click for Picture here I’ve been trying to figure out what I can cover it up with for weeks!! Since then I’ve gotten a rotary gun which is amazing!! I’m getting perfect lines and perfect work because it’s a pen basically and not too heavy or shaky. Any ideas would work. I already have a flower on me so not really interested in another right now.Click for Picture here

MirandM · 28 Aug 2021

Welcome to the forum.

How long ago did you do it? Looks like it's not cured completely, reddish skin on the top part of the moon and near the tail of the cat.
If this is recent and seeing the irregular lines, but no real blowouts, you probably didn't go in enough. If that is the case you'd do well to wait for a month or so. It's likely most of the superficial ink will come off by itself.
Be patient (which might be difficult for you I understand) before doing anything to cover it up.
Remember a recent tattoo should not be exposed to direct sunlight unless protected by factor 50 sun cream to avoid premature fading.
Doing the opposite will in this case help you get rid of it earlier.

Btw, this is a typical tattoo that is easy to remove using laser. If you're interested in how that works see my How about removal? thread for more info. Contrary of what's commonly said on the internet, a recent tattoo is much easier to remove with laser than an old one.

Nathan Molenaar · 28 Aug 2021

That would be pretty easy to cover the lines aren't really in there. A purple rose would work perfectly.

marked 4 life · 28 Aug 2021

Woodness28 · 28 Aug 2021

marked 4 life said:
that picture looks fresh, I bet when healed a lot of it has disappeared, that would be very easy to cover for someone with any ability, I would advise you to put some hours in on practice skin before hitting skin again.

I did it 4 weeks ago. It’s definitely healed. I’ve since done multiple tattoos with my nee rotary gun and have had no issues and perfect work.

Woodness28 · 28 Aug 2021

MirandM said:
Welcome to the forum.

How long ago did you do it? Looks like it's not cured completely, reddish skin on the top part of the moon and near the tail of the cat.
If this is recent and seeing the irregular lines, but no real blowouts, you probably didn't go in enough. If that is the case you'd do well to wait for a month or so. It's likely most of the superficial ink will come off by itself.
Be patient (which might be difficult for you I understand) before doing anything to cover it up.
Remember a recent tattoo should not be exposed to direct sunlight unless protected by factor 50 sun cream to avoid premature fading.
Doing the opposite will in this case help you get rid of it earlier.

Btw, this is a typical tattoo that is easy to remove using laser. If you're interested in how that works see my How about removal? thread for more info. Contrary of what's commonly said on the internet, a recent tattoo is much easier to remove with laser than an old one.

I’ve actually been tattooing for 7 years. This is the worst I’ve ever done. Again I was up for over 24 hours and thought I could do this. It’s also a month old. It’s not red. That is just my skin if you would notice that I have red splotches all around. It’s a health condition. I’ve been able to remove some of the ink on my own from shaving and then rubbing my nail through it. I’m not an amateur. I know everything I need to know. I just asked for suggestions for a cover up.

Burt · 29 Aug 2021

Sounds like your all sorted then... Maybe a full realism self portrait?

dirtnail · 29 Aug 2021

Can't you just try and salvage this design without actually covering it up? Seems like a lot is saved by filling the black and red.

Or, like Nathan Molenaar said, try a rose. It fits the shape and you can pack it full of black and colour.

Would be nice to see some of your other work btw. So we can suggest something that fits your style.

Please don't refer to the machine as a 'gun'. Nothing makes you sound more like an amateur than that.

MirandM · 29 Aug 2021

Woodness28 said:
I’ve actually been tattooing for 7 years. This is the worst I’ve ever done. Again I was up for over 24 hours and thought I could do this. It’s also a month old. It’s not red. That is just my skin if you would notice that I have red splotches all around. It’s a health condition. I’ve been able to remove some of the ink on my own from shaving and then rubbing my nail through it. I’m not an amateur. I know everything I need to know. I just asked for suggestions for a cover up.

I'm sorry if I offended you in any way.
But you need to know that this was your first post on the forum. We don't know you and you didn't explain anything about your skin condition and or experience, so we have to guess.
We all have good intentions here, so if you want specific advice, be specific in what you want.
"Alternate" advice is sometimes given with the intention of opening your eyes to something you may not have thought of, there's no harm in that.
And I agree with Pieter about salvaging the design. Doesn't seem impossible.

Nathan Molenaar · 29 Aug 2021

Woodness28 said:
I’ve actually been tattooing for 7 years. This is the worst I’ve ever done. Again I was up for over 24 hours and thought I could do this. It’s also a month old. It’s not red. That is just my skin if you would notice that I have red splotches all around. It’s a health condition. I’ve been able to remove some of the ink on my own from shaving and then rubbing my nail through it. I’m not an amateur. I know everything I need to know. I just asked for suggestions for a cover up.

"I’m not an amateur. I know everything I need to know"

When I was a couple of years into tattooing I had this same attitude.

I had done a few tattoos and thought I knew everything.

However, my portfolio did not reflect this.

Once I accepted that I knew very little I became open to learning and my work improved rapidly.

If could go back in time and tell myself one thing it would be:

To always be learning and take on board advice from artists who were where I wanted to be.

It would have saved me a few years.

On an unrelated note, I'm curious why you were up for 24 hours before doing a tattoo?

I'm less than useless when I don't get at least 8 hours a night.

Cyberthrasher · 30 Aug 2021

Let me just start and stop with "I’ve been able to remove some of the ink on my own from shaving and then rubbing my nail through it." If you think that's in there and done right, then you really need to rethink how much experience you truly have, regardless of the amount of time that's passed since you first got a "gun".

MirandM · 30 Aug 2021

Cyberthrasher said:
Let me just start and stop with "I’ve been able to remove some of the ink on my own from shaving and then rubbing my nail through it." If you think that's in there and done right, then you really need to rethink how much experience you truly have, regardless of the amount of time that's passed since you first got a "gun".

Even more so if you have a skin condition.

Torb · 30 Aug 2021

I don't want to sound mean but if I had been tattooing for 7 years and did a tattoo like that I would be changing career.

P$ Productions · 30 Aug 2021

Yikes. They are brutalizing you man.
Lets go ahead with a positive tip. Post some of your work here along with your own critiques (what you like, what you dont, your machine type, ink, needles, etc). This will bring you more positive advice (usually) and you can learn ways to improve.

Here i would say you didnt go deep enough, and based on the appearance of damaged skin along the top of the moon, your voltage was too high in comparison to your hand speed. Just a guess. Ive only been at it 5 years myself and am definitely still learning.

My suggestion for this tattoo is to practice a bit more on lining, let it heal further until all of the scarring is subdued, and try relining it with a slightly bigger grouping. Youll see a vast improvement.

John.D.Escu · 30 Aug 2021

Woodness28 said:
I’ve actually been tattooing for 7 years. This is the worst I’ve ever done. Again I was up for over 24 hours and thought I could do this. It’s also a month old. It’s not red. That is just my skin if you would notice that I have red splotches all around. It’s a health condition. I’ve been able to remove some of the ink on my own from shaving and then rubbing my nail through it. I’m not an amateur. I know everything I need to know. I just asked for suggestions for a cover up.

Do you have an artist page or some Social Media where we could see your work in these last 7 years?

Big Pete · 8 Sep 2021

Firstly, I was shocked when I saw your pic of the tattoo and then read that you had been tattooing for 7 years, your tattoo is exactly why the professional tattooists call us Scratchers.....You did yours with a coil machine, I'm assuming, and it looks like it just wasn't set up correctly, voltage, speed etc, I don't think you should blame medications etc.
But having said that, I think because the lines will heal very light, it can be covered very easily, just a matter of finding a design you like.

Screwed up. Need ideas!

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