Tattoos!

aria

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Resurrecting this thread. My arm. American traditional, American history themed sleeve by Myke Chambers.

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Idgit

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Here's my latest, just a classic traditional eagle with "Hang strong, Roll on" which is what DimeBag Darrell signed for me, along with his autograph, when my friends ran into him at a bar in the late 90's. It's a motto that I constantly remind myself of and I think goes perfect with the style.

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Look at you, rocking the Beach Chicken.

You know, this isn't going to help your reputation with posters who think you're an Eagles fan already, right?
 

aria

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Look at you, rocking the Beach Chicken.

You know, this isn't going to help your reputation with posters who think you're an Eagles fan already, right?
Lol, that would be Giants fan but Eagles will work too, keep 'em guessing :D
 

Idgit

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Lol, that would be Giants fan but Eagles will work too, keep 'em guessing :D

Well, it's a Giant Eagle, then. That's even worse. Plus, your skin looks a bit Red from the tattoo. Tough deal, dude.

Cool 'tat, tho.
 

aria

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Well, it's a Giant Eagle, then. That's even worse. Plus, your skin looks a bit Red from the tattoo. Tough deal, dude.

Cool 'tat, tho.
It was definitely red. I won't lie, that was the most painful tattoo I've had done. Traditional tattoos typically hurt much more than something like black and grey then add in the sternum...it wasn't pleasant and it felt like he was literally cutting my chest open with a scalpel.

I'd say I have a pretty high tolerance for pain but maybe I'm just a puss, I dunno, but it's the only time I've asked the artist to stop a few times so I could take a breather. Love the work though so it was worth it.

Oh yeah, the artist warned me but the combination of the tattoo healing and hair growing back itches like a mofo.
 

BrAinPaiNt

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Only have ons American Traditional and it was one of my first. Not really my style but when it is done well I can still appreciate the artwork. Arias is mucho quality work and shines for the style. Although I kind of would like two traditional stars or sparrows around chest/shoulder area.

I have around 15 tattoos but some people would never know it. Shocks people at work and I normally wear t-shirts.

Wouldike to get a sleeve but frankly don't have the money for it. If I did it would be from a name artist.
 

Trouty

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Only have ons American Traditional and it was one of my first. Not really my style but when it is done well I can still appreciate the artwork. Arias is mucho quality work and shines for the style. Although I kind of would like two traditional stars or sparrows around chest/shoulder area.

I have around 15 tattoos but some people would never know it. Shocks people at work and I normally wear t-shirts.

Wouldike to get a sleeve but frankly don't have the money for it. If I did it would be from a name artist.
Hunka, you’re so dreamy. Can we see your tattoos???

I’m like you, other than my webs of my hand, with a long sleeve shirt and pants on no sees my tats. My largest ones are on my back
 

Trouty

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Only have ons American Traditional and it was one of my first. Not really my style but when it is done well I can still appreciate the artwork. Arias is mucho quality work and shines for the style. Although I kind of would like two traditional stars or sparrows around chest/shoulder area.

I have around 15 tattoos but some people would never know it. Shocks people at work and I normally wear t-shirts.

Wouldike to get a sleeve but frankly don't have the money for it. If I did it would be from a name artist.
Hunka Hunka dreamy love :)
 

aria

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Only have ons American Traditional and it was one of my first. Not really my style but when it is done well I can still appreciate the artwork. Arias is mucho quality work and shines for the style. Although I kind of would like two traditional stars or sparrows around chest/shoulder area.

I have around 15 tattoos but some people would never know it. Shocks people at work and I normally wear t-shirts.

Wouldike to get a sleeve but frankly don't have the money for it. If I did it would be from a name artist.
Thanks a lot! It's weird, it wasn't that long ago that I disliked American Traditional but it really grew on me quickly. I love the bold outlines, saturation, history, imagery, meaning of designs, etc and it stands the test of time.

Like you said, it has to be done right. At first I thought it would be easy since most of it is just stenciling and flash but the more I got into it the more I realized how easy it is to f up. The line work is probably the most common mistake I see on everything from basic outlines to more "complicated" images like rope. Color saturation is also not as easy as it seems.

Definitely not cheap which is why I'm working OT today :thumbdown:
 
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aria

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Aria, this is unreal work. Undoubtedly cost you a pretty penny and a dozen hours or so
Thanks Trouty! Not including the time it took taking 4 trips to Philly, the tattoo took ~40-45 hours.

What's surprising is I've had multiple artists tell me how quick they can do a chest or back piece compared to a sleeve. I thought he was full of it, but my chest eagle only took 3-4 hours IIRC. Another guy who did my other arm said he could do a full back piece in just a little longer than a sleeve. I guess a lot of it has to with the artist and myself constantly turning and working in weird positions to go all the around the arm as compared to just standing directly over my back or chest which is a somewhat flat surface and no movement required.

I'm also not exactly a small guy, when I showed up he told me it would take longer than he expected.
 

Trouty

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Thanks Trouty! Not including the time it took taking 4 trips to Philly, the tattoo took ~40-45 hours.

What's surprising is I've had multiple artists tell me how quick they can do a chest or back piece compared to a sleeve. I thought he was full of it, but my chest eagle only took 3-4 hours IIRC. Another guy who did my other arm said he could do a full back piece in just a little longer than a sleeve. I guess a lot of it has to with the artist and myself constantly turning and working in weird positions to go all the around the arm as compared to just standing directly over my back or chest which is a somewhat flat surface and no movement required.

I'm also not exactly a small guy, when I showed up he told me it would take longer than he expected.
Always go with a slow artist. My back was done very slow for just bold lettering, both the BDW and SACRFICE. My artist was an Asian dude with no tattoos. Black P****, he’s out of Pasadena.
 

aria

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Always go with a slow artist. My back was done very slow for just bold lettering, both the BDW and SACRFICE. My artist was an Asian dude with no tattoos. Black P****, he’s out of Pasadena.
Yup, I'd much rather have them take their time and get it right. We spent an entire day just coming up with the images, size, placement, etc. I don't think a lot of people know how much can go into tattoos and how easy they are to mess up. Of course no tattoos are perfect which also adds to their uniqueness :)
 

Trouty

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Yup, I'd much rather have them take their time and get it right. We spent an entire day just coming up with the images, size, placement, etc. I don't think a lot of people know how much can go into tattoos and how easy they are to mess up. Of course no tattoos are perfect which also adds to their uniqueness :)
Not many people have the kind of ornate work you have, either, Aria. Just gorgeous. Worth every minute of patience it took you and your artist.
 

aria

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Damn, man, this is extraordinary work.
I'll try to find pics of it in progress, kind of fun to see it all come together. This is just what pops up if you google "american history sleeve" and hit "images". How it ended up on the internet I have no idea, I only found it about 6 months ago just messing around looking at tattoos. I know he took the pics but he normally only posts them on Instagram or his website.
 

aria

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I just took this so the lighting and angle sucks but you can't really see it in any of the other pics. It's a P-40 for WWII.

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