TATTOO TALK THURSDAY: FINISHING MY RAT
This was supposed to come out last Thursday after I got the shading done, but I've been so busy with work and other shit that I plain forgot. There aren't enough hours in the day sometimes. I've been trying to sleep, which has somewhat paid off. Thank you, Vodka. You're a blessing. Let's get onto the blog, shall we?
It's been a long 8 months.
It's been a long 8 months.
I could have gotten the piece finished before, but I was waiting for a jerk-off to pick the colours for it. In all the time I spent waiting, I started thinking about how little I mean to those around me and that I should really do more for myself. So in a haze of anger, frustration and just wanting to get shit finished, I booked an appointment to get my rose and rat neck piece finished. It's gonna be boss as. Now I just have to wait a week. It seems like a fuckin eternity.
NEEDLE TIME
Well, it was less of an eternity than I thought it would be. Only the day before the tattoo dragged on. The hours felt like miniature days (you know, the way an hour at work feels like a day in and of itself.) The left side of my neck is in black and grey, so I wanted to do colour on the other side. Chub and I were playing with colour ideas and ended up with choosing brilliant sunset colours. It couldn't have been a better choice. Sunsets are special times and despite our love of black clothing/black aesthetics we love sunsets. There's just so much going on.
I went to see an old friend who's done a tonne of work on me over the past 9 years, Chad. I told him the rough colours that I wanted, the rich reds, orange, yellows and pinks, sunset tones and then told him to go wild and do whatever he wanted with the leaves and the rat. I've come to trust his colour choices over the years and that's something that you really want with your artist. It didn't take all that long to do. He told me that I could tap out if I needed to since people have trouble with necks sometimes. I almost laughed. He did my entire throat in one go a little over a year and a half ago, this was going to be a cake walk.
He had me sit up for it. I always brace for the initial impact of the needle, but after that, I sink into the comfort of that electric buzz. I love when I feel the artist lean into me while they tattoo. The pressure of it all is so comforting. It's like a human weighted blanked. I used to be so nervous going to get tattooed. I wasn't always as cool and calm. I still get nervous when I go to new shops, but when I get tattooed by people I know, I'm completely relaxed. I remember how anxious I was about getting my first tattoo. I had no idea what I was signing up for. It was a shock when I went for my next tattoo session, as it was a year later. Now I get excited about it. I love how it feels a little different in different parts of the body, how the pain also differs.
It was hard choosing the colours. I hated that the tattoo wasn't done. It felt, I dunno, cheap to me to not have it finished. That was the only-no I have one small one that isn't finished but you'd never tell-I just haven't had the time to get back to Boston to finish it. An unfinished neck tattoo looks like you copped out. (To my way of thinking.) I couldn't have that. I love the way it looks finished, there was one part that he missed that I didn't even notice until I looked at the photo I put in here. I'm not gonna split hairs over it, it's hardly noticeable, that little area of the tail that's not been hit.
Soon as I got in, we started working on the tattoo. I let him mix and blend and do whatever he wanted within the colours. Normally I've nervous if I can't see a piece being done. I'm anal and a perfectionist and if someone isn't following my directions or I can't see my vision coming to life, I'll panic. Like the other side of my neck, it wasn't painful until he hit the part of the tattoo that extends down to my shoulder. That part's always hurt me. I dunno why it bothers me there, it feels like stinging. Like being stabbed my fire ants really. I could feel the vibrations in a part of my upper back, but that was nothing compared to when he worked up to the part of the tattoo that extends up onto my skull. The rat's head is basically on the side of my head. I loved feeling the vibrations in my sinus cavity and behind my eyeballs. It was far more intense than when I was just getting the rat outlined, as expected. I hoped the vibrations would knock something lose. Sadly, it didn't.
The entire shading process lasted about an hour, not long at all. I did laugh when Chad told me we could take a break if we needed. I've never tapped out before and I don't plan on it. I'm no pussy. I'll endure what I have to in order to get a job done.
I headed out of the shop with blood oozing down my neck. It started my sister and then I explained that it was normal and I didn't wrap my neck in cling film or anything else after the tattoo cause it's a pain in the nuts and we're just going home. Though, I did make one stop and smiled as two older women informed me that my neck rat was bleeding. I was insanely cheerful as I told them that I know.
And of course, I had to sleep on it. I should have known better by this point, but I just really wasn't thinking. I woke up semi crusted to my pillow. And I just washed the goddamn cases. Isn't that always the way? Plasma is so common on neck tattoos and larger pieces. Thankfully, I'm not really a bleeder. When I got my other neck piece done it oozed a bit. I've never had any swelling with my neck, though I did have some with my throat. Interesting how these things happen. I could feel a small amount of fluid under the skin on both the sides of my neck following the tattoos, but nothing that would be like swelling.
I'm healing the tattoo with a combo of Tattoo Goo tattoo aftercare and Hustle Butter. Both products are really great, I just feel like alternating between the two this time. Usually, I stick with one product, but I'm low on both and it's great to switch things up.
It's healing nice. The colours are brightening up really well. I love the way the grey blends into the pinks and reds. I may want to hit it with another blast of colour, but later on. I love the little pink nose of the rat. Now that it's shaded in I can see the shapes within the rose a lot better. It looks really different than what I thought it was. Haha, I've been walking about without a clear idea of what's tattooed on my neck. Leave it to me.
I have a bit of free space on my throat that I'm going to fill in. I'm thinking maybe strawberries or something. I really like the strawberry idea, I've been playing with that idea for a few months now, but I want to be really sure before I stick something on my throat. They'd be in colour naturally, Probably in a neo-traditional style? That would compliment the rest of the work that I have nicely. I'm keeping the arms similar. The left side of my neck is black and grey and most of that arm is black and grey and the right side of my neck is in colour and most of that arm is in colour. That, as Bob Ross would say, is a happy accident. No planning involved. I probably should have planned some things a little better, but whatever, I'm liking how things are going, it's just awkward at times trying to fill in some of the spaces! I want to finish up my arms and legs before moving on to fill a few spaces on my ribs, hips and stomach, then I'll tackle the back I think. I've re-drawn so many different back pieces over the last 5 years. I know the theme I want, I just need to stick to one design. Draw out something kick ass and commit. And yes, I'm going to get the two pieces I have on my upper back covered up with the massive back piece. They weren't done that great and I was young when I got them done. I mean, I like them and all, but it's time to move on a bit.
Do you guys have any rat tattoos? If so, where? Are they in colour or black and grey? What about neck tattoos? I'd love to see what some of you guys have inked! Hit me up on Twitter @DarkDannyDreams!
Well, it was less of an eternity than I thought it would be. Only the day before the tattoo dragged on. The hours felt like miniature days (you know, the way an hour at work feels like a day in and of itself.) The left side of my neck is in black and grey, so I wanted to do colour on the other side. Chub and I were playing with colour ideas and ended up with choosing brilliant sunset colours. It couldn't have been a better choice. Sunsets are special times and despite our love of black clothing/black aesthetics we love sunsets. There's just so much going on.
I went to see an old friend who's done a tonne of work on me over the past 9 years, Chad. I told him the rough colours that I wanted, the rich reds, orange, yellows and pinks, sunset tones and then told him to go wild and do whatever he wanted with the leaves and the rat. I've come to trust his colour choices over the years and that's something that you really want with your artist. It didn't take all that long to do. He told me that I could tap out if I needed to since people have trouble with necks sometimes. I almost laughed. He did my entire throat in one go a little over a year and a half ago, this was going to be a cake walk.
He had me sit up for it. I always brace for the initial impact of the needle, but after that, I sink into the comfort of that electric buzz. I love when I feel the artist lean into me while they tattoo. The pressure of it all is so comforting. It's like a human weighted blanked. I used to be so nervous going to get tattooed. I wasn't always as cool and calm. I still get nervous when I go to new shops, but when I get tattooed by people I know, I'm completely relaxed. I remember how anxious I was about getting my first tattoo. I had no idea what I was signing up for. It was a shock when I went for my next tattoo session, as it was a year later. Now I get excited about it. I love how it feels a little different in different parts of the body, how the pain also differs. It was hard choosing the colours. I hated that the tattoo wasn't done. It felt, I dunno, cheap to me to not have it finished. That was the only-no I have one small one that isn't finished but you'd never tell-I just haven't had the time to get back to Boston to finish it. An unfinished neck tattoo looks like you copped out. (To my way of thinking.) I couldn't have that. I love the way it looks finished, there was one part that he missed that I didn't even notice until I looked at the photo I put in here. I'm not gonna split hairs over it, it's hardly noticeable, that little area of the tail that's not been hit.
Soon as I got in, we started working on the tattoo. I let him mix and blend and do whatever he wanted within the colours. Normally I've nervous if I can't see a piece being done. I'm anal and a perfectionist and if someone isn't following my directions or I can't see my vision coming to life, I'll panic. Like the other side of my neck, it wasn't painful until he hit the part of the tattoo that extends down to my shoulder. That part's always hurt me. I dunno why it bothers me there, it feels like stinging. Like being stabbed my fire ants really. I could feel the vibrations in a part of my upper back, but that was nothing compared to when he worked up to the part of the tattoo that extends up onto my skull. The rat's head is basically on the side of my head. I loved feeling the vibrations in my sinus cavity and behind my eyeballs. It was far more intense than when I was just getting the rat outlined, as expected. I hoped the vibrations would knock something lose. Sadly, it didn't.
The entire shading process lasted about an hour, not long at all. I did laugh when Chad told me we could take a break if we needed. I've never tapped out before and I don't plan on it. I'm no pussy. I'll endure what I have to in order to get a job done.
I headed out of the shop with blood oozing down my neck. It started my sister and then I explained that it was normal and I didn't wrap my neck in cling film or anything else after the tattoo cause it's a pain in the nuts and we're just going home. Though, I did make one stop and smiled as two older women informed me that my neck rat was bleeding. I was insanely cheerful as I told them that I know.
And of course, I had to sleep on it. I should have known better by this point, but I just really wasn't thinking. I woke up semi crusted to my pillow. And I just washed the goddamn cases. Isn't that always the way? Plasma is so common on neck tattoos and larger pieces. Thankfully, I'm not really a bleeder. When I got my other neck piece done it oozed a bit. I've never had any swelling with my neck, though I did have some with my throat. Interesting how these things happen. I could feel a small amount of fluid under the skin on both the sides of my neck following the tattoos, but nothing that would be like swelling.
I'm healing the tattoo with a combo of Tattoo Goo tattoo aftercare and Hustle Butter. Both products are really great, I just feel like alternating between the two this time. Usually, I stick with one product, but I'm low on both and it's great to switch things up.It's healing nice. The colours are brightening up really well. I love the way the grey blends into the pinks and reds. I may want to hit it with another blast of colour, but later on. I love the little pink nose of the rat. Now that it's shaded in I can see the shapes within the rose a lot better. It looks really different than what I thought it was. Haha, I've been walking about without a clear idea of what's tattooed on my neck. Leave it to me.
I have a bit of free space on my throat that I'm going to fill in. I'm thinking maybe strawberries or something. I really like the strawberry idea, I've been playing with that idea for a few months now, but I want to be really sure before I stick something on my throat. They'd be in colour naturally, Probably in a neo-traditional style? That would compliment the rest of the work that I have nicely. I'm keeping the arms similar. The left side of my neck is black and grey and most of that arm is black and grey and the right side of my neck is in colour and most of that arm is in colour. That, as Bob Ross would say, is a happy accident. No planning involved. I probably should have planned some things a little better, but whatever, I'm liking how things are going, it's just awkward at times trying to fill in some of the spaces! I want to finish up my arms and legs before moving on to fill a few spaces on my ribs, hips and stomach, then I'll tackle the back I think. I've re-drawn so many different back pieces over the last 5 years. I know the theme I want, I just need to stick to one design. Draw out something kick ass and commit. And yes, I'm going to get the two pieces I have on my upper back covered up with the massive back piece. They weren't done that great and I was young when I got them done. I mean, I like them and all, but it's time to move on a bit.
Do you guys have any rat tattoos? If so, where? Are they in colour or black and grey? What about neck tattoos? I'd love to see what some of you guys have inked! Hit me up on Twitter @DarkDannyDreams!
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