TatterTot Inquiries

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

Hi. So today I did my 4th tattoo on skin. I’m still very new to tattooing. I recently got hired at Zillionaires Ink in LA CA. Well, hired is a strong word. I am able to bring people there to do tattoos, when I can find people willing to give me canvas. If I’m paid, then it’s 50% to the shop. While I learn from my coworkers and such. Anyway, So I did my 4th tattoo today. I did it on the upper wrist. Which was a first. The female I was doing, kept moving around and jerking her wrist. She had a low pain tolerance. I sprayed some bactine on, but she was still struggling. Not to mention, she also came in inebriated. Which I told her not to do. So it made her blood thinner and the ink didn’t set very well. Also, my inexperience was a factor that can’t be ignored. But I did what I could before she said she was done. I couldn’t convince her other wise. So the tattoo came out horribly IMO. I will leave a photo. Any way, it just really grinds my gears to have such a pathetic piece of work walking away on someone. My question is, can I wait a few weeks for it to heal and then have her come back, so I can do a few touch ups and go over a few lines once more to fix some of the areas where the ink didn’t set properly or places where she jerked around and the lines came out a little scribbly. I would really like to correct some of the mistakes. Go over the rain drops once more. (They kind of look like hairs. (o_0)
I know, I hear that it’s not good to go over lines again. But, is it possible? Or am I just screwed on that one? Btw, I know it looks like a 4 year olds drawing, but that is the style she chose. It was like a left over, Friday the 13th deal flash that she picked out. I know it looks awful. I have a lot to learn still. But the motivation is there and I have a few good teachers. I just need tons more practice.

TexasPT · 25 Aug 2021

until you take responsibility for that tattoo you're not going to progress. I don't care how much someone jerks the problems evident in that tattoo could have been avoided. There is not ONE line in there that has a sharp redirection from jerking. There is however a lot of problems from depth, speed, unable to put the needle in the same place twice.

googled Zillionaires and they do nice work. Have them work with you, get some practice skins and work on your lines. More than anything learn the phrase "I fucked that up, how do I fix it" rather than a thousand reasons it isn't your fault. Tattooing is hard, it takes time...but technique will overcome most obstacles.

sheyd · 25 Aug 2021

I don't think you have the skills to be tattooing on skin yet. no matter how much your clients move, what you have is definitely a depth and dexterity problem. you don't have the skills and dexterity to pull clean lines and your lines are going to fall out when it heals because you didn't have the right depth.

Of course, you can go over lines again once they are completely healed. the fact you don't know this, is a red flag.

Cyberthrasher · 25 Aug 2021

I can't add to the others. Put the human flesh aside and get some serious practice in on fake skin and fruits. Also, NEVER work on someone who's under the influence of anything. If they're not in a clear state of mind to agree to the work you might just end up their "drunken mistake" - and that's ignoring all the health risks.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

TexasPT said:
until you take responsibility for that tattoo you're not going to progress. I don't care how much someone jerks the problems evident in that tattoo could have been avoided. There is not ONE line in there that has a sharp redirection from jerking. There is however a lot of problems from depth, speed, unable to put the needle in the same place twice.

googled Zillionaires and they do nice work. Have them work with you, get some practice skins and work on your lines. More than anything learn the phrase "I fucked that up, how do I fix it" rather than a thousand reasons it isn't your fault. Tattooing is hard, it takes time...but technique will overcome most obstacles.

For sure. I understand. I mean, I did say that

TexasPT said:
until you take responsibility for that tattoo you're not going to progress. I don't care how much someone jerks the problems evident in that tattoo could have been avoided. There is not ONE line in there that has a sharp redirection from jerking. There is however a lot of problems from depth, speed, unable to put the needle in the same place twice.

googled Zillionaires and they do nice work. Have them work with you, get some practice skins and work on your lines. More than anything learn the phrase "I fucked that up, how do I fix it" rather than a thousand reasons it isn't your fault. Tattooing is hard, it takes time...but technique will overcome most obstacles.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
For sure. I understand. I mean, I did say that my inexperience was definitely a factor. But I get where your coming from. I do need more experience for sure.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

sheyd said:
I don't think you have the skills to be tattooing on skin yet. no matter how much your clients move, what you have is definitely a depth and dexterity problem. you don't have the skills and dexterity to pull clean lines and your lines are going to fall out when it heals because you didn't have the right depth.

Of course, you can go over lines again once they are completely healed. the fact you don't know this, is a red flag.

A red flag? I mentioned it was my fourth ever tattoo. What red flag is it that you mean? This Forum is called HelpMeTattoo is it not? I’m sorry if I don’t have the skills and dexterity just yet, that meets with your approval.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

Cyberthrasher said:
I can't add to the others. Put the human flesh aside and get some serious practice in on fake skin and fruits. Also, NEVER work on someone who's under the influence of anything. If they're not in a clear state of mind to agree to the work you might just end up their "drunken mistake" - and that's ignoring all the health risks.

Yea I understand that. This female was a person I know and used to have a relationship with. I gave her a free tattoo, because I’m not good enough to ask for money yet. I just wanted skin time. Which is what the teachers around me, say that I should be trying to get. Instead of using fake skin. Because fake skin doesn’t have the feel of real skin and the stretching of it and such. Anyway, she knew she was getting the tattoo before she started drinking. We had confirmed it a couple days in advance. But for future clients, I will be sure to turn them down if they are inebriated. Thanks for the advice.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

Cyberthrasher said:
I can't add to the others. Put the human flesh aside and get some serious practice in on fake skin and fruits. Also, NEVER work on someone who's under the influence of anything. If they're not in a clear state of mind to agree to the work you might just end up their "drunken mistake" - and that's ignoring all the health risks.

I’ll practice pulling lines on the fake skin as well.

Cyberthrasher · 25 Aug 2021

They're right that it's not the same as the real thing, but the techniques used to control your machine and the needle are the same. If you can't pull a straight line on fake skin/fruit you should never be touching a human.

Cyberthrasher · 25 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
I’ll practice pulling lines on the fake skin as well.

all of my practice was on fake skin - KNOWING that it's not the real thing, but it was teaching me how to control my machine and be consistent, both with lining and shading/filling.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

How did you get to understanding the depth on the fake skin though? With the skins I have, which are Pirate Face Tattoo skins, I can’t tell if I’m going to deep or not for a blow out or a scarring.

P$ Productions · 25 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
I just wanted skin time. Which is what the teachers around me, say that I should be trying to get. Instead of using fake skin. Because fake skin doesn’t have the feel of real skin and the stretching of it and such.

Reel skin is a good brand as it feels similar to real.

Yes there is a huge difference between real and fake skin, but fake skin is a great tool to practice lining, depth, hand speed, etc. I recommend it! You can even wrap it around your leg and tattoo it for a realer feel.

Please stay off of other people until you get more practice. If not, work on your own skin.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

I understand what your saying. Of course I’ll be practicing more on fake skin, as well as my my own. Though all of the people I tattoo, I make well aware of my experience or lack thereof. They give me the skin, as friends, to help me gain experience on real skin. These people aren’t paid costumers or clients.

MalligaMallan · 25 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
How did you get to understanding the depth on the fake skin though? With the skins I have, which are Pirate Face Tattoo skins, I can’t tell if I’m going to deep or not for a blow out or a scarring.

Cut through a tattooed line and you will see the depth.

Cyberthrasher · 25 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
I understand what your saying. Of course I’ll be practicing more on fake skin, as well as my my own. Though all of the people I tattoo, I make well aware of my experience or lack thereof. They give me the skin, as friends, to help me gain experience on real skin. These people aren’t paid costumers or clients.

That's what you should be doing - after you're good enough to be working on skin. Do you want to fuck up your friends and family? Wait to practice on them until you're confident you know what you're doing enough. I remember the 2nd one I did was on a friend (1st was my wife and went awesome). I messed it up BAD. I was so embarrassed and went back to only working on my wife and ReelSkin, and cutting back the simplicity of the designs as well until I was confident I wasn't going to make those same mistakes again.

For depth, if you're using standard taper needles it's about the depth of the taper. If you have a way to measure mm, check and see how deep 1 to 1.5 mm is on your skins and aim for that depth or close to it.

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

MalligaMallan said:
Cut through a tattooed line and you will see the depth.

You mean cut thru the fake skin and look at the depth?

Cyberthrasher · 25 Aug 2021

MalligaMallan said:
Cut through a tattooed line and you will see the depth.

BRUTAL!!!!

Popproxxx · 25 Aug 2021

Cyberthrasher said:
That's what you should be doing - after you're good enough to be working on skin. Do you want to fuck up your friends and family? Wait to practice on them until you're confident you know what you're doing enough. I remember the 2nd one I did was on a friend (1st was my wife and went awesome). I messed it up BAD. I was so embarrassed and went back to only working on my wife and ReelSkin, and cutting back the simplicity of the designs as well until I was confident I wasn't going to make those same mistakes again.

For depth, if you're using standard taper needles it's about the depth of the taper. If you have a way to measure mm, check and see how deep 1 to 1.5 mm is on your skins and aim for that depth or close to it.

Sounds good, Thank you.

MalligaMallan · 26 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
You mean cut thru the fake skin and look at the depth?

Yes, absolutely. That's what you do on fruits as well when you have tattooed them. A very easy and effective way to see how deep you went.

Nathan Molenaar · 28 Aug 2021

Popproxxx said:
Yea I understand that. This female was a person I know and used to have a relationship with. I gave her a free tattoo, because I’m not good enough to ask for money yet. I just wanted skin time. Which is what the teachers around me, say that I should be trying to get. Instead of using fake skin. Because fake skin doesn’t have the feel of real skin and the stretching of it and such. Anyway, she knew she was getting the tattoo before she started drinking. We had confirmed it a couple days in advance. But for future clients, I will be sure to turn them down if they are inebriated. Thanks for the advice.

My mentor told me the same thing "you cant use practice skin because it's not like the real thing" it took me 4 years to get enough "skin time" and get good.

When I actually tried fake skin (specifically reel skin) I realized I had just wasted 4 years. it's not 100% the same but fuck it's close. If I had just worked on that every day instead of sitting at the front counter begging my friends to let me tattoo them I could have become proficient in 6-8 months.

I highly recommend practice skin to anyone starting it because it cuts years off the learning curve.

Nathan Molenaar · 28 Aug 2021

Cyberthrasher said:
They're right that it's not the same as the real thing, but the techniques used to control your machine and the needle are the same. If you can't pull a straight line on fake skin/fruit you should never be touching a human.

Agreed. someone that has been working on fake skin for a year will do a way better first tattoo on skin than someone who hasn't used fake skin.

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