First ReelSkin tattoos...Is this normal?

Hi from Sweden!! Im new to tattoo learning and I want to get some practice on fake skin before I attempt on myself or others... I have done a lotus flower with 5RL and 7RL ...it seemed a ok line work as I passed the needles 2/3 times on some places to make a more artistic outline. I the end I inspected the lines closer and I noticed that the skin is literally sliced halfway thickness in places where I passed more than once.... is it how it is supposed to look like? or I did something wrong? How does that correlate with real skin?? I Appreciate you feedback to guide me through my learning process. PS. Im using a XION from FK irons and I used 7.5 Volt and a relative slow hand movement.

Hello Pedro and welcome to the forum! Nice with another Swede ? We are a few, but not enough ?

This is completely normal with Reelskin. Practicing on reelskin IS good, even if there of course are differences - like this for example. You can practice on avoiding scarring the sheet though. Usually it is a bigger risk scarring it with 3rl', more than with bigger needle groupings, so try practicing on not scarring it. It can be good to know though, that just because you scar the fake skin, it doesn't mean you will tear up people like this.

I've used Reelskin a lot, as I've been tattooing an entire mannequin with it in an art project I'm doing. I've also been a reseller for Reelskin in Sweden (not anymore though), so I'm very familiar with it ?

Hi Pedro, yep thats normal for reelskin. But my advice, take it or leave it, buy the cheaper stuff for the moment.
I can get 10 sheets for almost the same cost as 1 reelskin.

Also I agree with Malliga ..its great to practice trauma. As in human skin is so much easier to work on but fake skin can teach you the subtle stuff. you can tear through fake skin and make a nice picture. You cant do that on a human without trauma.....so you can practice and practice and practice similar designs changing your speeds, aggression towards the skin, volts and type of needles that suits your hand speed and style. So when you do work on humans you already have the most important aspects of tattooing perfected..then its your art that will shine through.

Thats where I am. I can draw portraits in pencil to a very very high standard.. now I want to tattoo black and grey portraits...its a new medium so I need lots and lots of practice.

By the way...are you following the Ben Fisher school? I noticed the mandala..Looks good my friend..he is pretty good for the basics..doesnt teach art though.

There is so so info on here. You probably know that already so enjoy.