Awesomesauce!

[mad_andy]

So today, I got to hurt some people.

I did one of my own dragons on the side of a chap's leg - which was several challenges rolled into one. To whit:

Not done that part of the leg before.

Unfamiliar with the individual and therefore somewhat nervous of fucking it up.

The chap in question is half-caste, and coloured skin behaves differently to white. (That's not being racist, it just is.)

Using a new type of needle, called a mag (short for magnum, and no I don't know why).

I cracked on, and it all went swimmingly. N__ sat like a rock, despite one or two of the areas - side of the calf, but curving over onto the shin - being very painful indeed. I soon got the hang of shading with the mag (and my line work was pretty darn good, though I say so myself) and, although the finished shading isn't identical to the pencil shading on the original design, it came out pretty bloody well. Pics are on the camera, so when I get round to uploading them I'll post!

Next was a girl who went and picked a design from the flash on the wall. It was a butterfly - a horribly complicated one with lots of linework and delicate shading... *gulp*

But I came through - hurrah! - and despite it being an evil mofo to do (all skinny lines and twiddly bits) and her skin being bloody awful (thin and soft and very very vascular, ie bled like a wotsit) I saved the day and did an awesome job of that, too.

To the point where I can start charging people for work - provided it's the right stuff, natch. No sense running before I can walk... anyway, just got to do a bit of tribal (AKA Black Swirly Stuff, BSS) to the boss' satisfaction and we're away. *Grin*

Thanks for all the good luck wishes, folks - I think it worked!

Oh, and if anyone on my flist is having a shitty day - here's a great big *HUG* from me. I hope things go better soon.

ETA: And we have pics!



The dragon on N__'s leg. All mine, from the design to the execution.



The horrid butterfly!!!!

So, anyone wanna let me ink 'em?!

Comments

[rdyfrde.livejournal.com]

See, what did I tell you? ;)

Anyway, it's great that you're getting used to doing the linework. I remember you mentioning that was a problem in the beginning. You'll be tattooing large ass tattoos in no time :)

[madandy.livejournal.com]

Thanks Fred *hugs*

[rdyfrde.livejournal.com]

Just saw the pictures. The dragon looks really cool. That's about what I want for my dragon. Just not as big and in blue ;)

[arabwel.livejournal.com]

Woooohoo, go you! :D *glomps*

And believe I have repeatedly tol yout ht I am willing to lt youpoke me all you want :P Or, at least, a bit... actually have a vague idea of a design nd a spot in mind already :P *hopes is not too presumptus*

[madandy.livejournal.com]

if you can get here I'll ink you anywhere you want!!! Thanks for the vote of confidence - believe me, I appreciate it. *Hugs back*

[arabwel.livejournal.com]

Oooh, awemeness :D

I am under the impression that you live soewhere vaguely close toRath, am I right? :D

(and incidntally i wish i could get inked anywhere i want but yo know, with the fct thqat i intend to lose a ton of weight, some areas woul e a bad coice, right?)

*hugglesnuggles*

[duffnstuff.livejournal.com]

COME OVER HERE AND PUT INK IN US.

Please! God, that butterfly looks fiddly as crap, but you did an amazing job. *nods* Like I said, I'd put your art on me any day!

[madandy.livejournal.com]

Chris the boss cracked up, apparently when she showed me the design my face fell an absolute mile. It is, quite frankly, a shitty design - but I didn't do too bad a job, all things considered!

And I tell you what - once I've started earning find a friendly local tattoo studio, get chatting to them, tell them you know this UK artist who would love to do a guest spot for them for a week or so. You guys get one free. That way I don't have to cart tattoo equipment through customs ('no officer it doesn't go bang...'), the studio gets something of interest to bring in some new punters, and our place gets a bit of publicity.

What do you think?

[duffnstuff.livejournal.com]

Brilliant! Insidious. I love it. We know just the guys to talk to!

[strawberrytatoo.livejournal.com]

I'm still a tattoo virgin, but I would so let you ink me, the designs look awesome!

[stonefinder.livejournal.com]

Ooo, I like that dragon! The butterfly is a little generic, but the execution is awesome. Would I let you ink me? Sure, but I think I need a flight to the UK first. ;)

[foreverhermit.livejournal.com]

Way to go, Andy! WhooHoo!

And if I ever make it back over to England, I'd be honored to have you give me my first tattoo. :-)

[dogologist.livejournal.com]

Wow, they look amazing! If I ever pluck up the courage, I'd definitely trust you with my skin,

[navigatorsghost.livejournal.com]

Me and Mikki are both available for inking, and Mikki says he's willing to let you mess around a bit and use him as a practice piece. :) Maybe the two of us and Ara can all come over at the end of the month for a marathon inking session? :)

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

They look great, Andy! I know how uncomfortable sitting for that part of the leg is--well, second-hand knowledge, but I remember just how much Dave limped after having his gargoyle there.

Anyway! I was curious as to how mixed race skin reacts differently to Caucasian when inking? Do you mean in terms of colour or does it absorb poorly in comparison? (FWIW, 'mixed' (or 'mixed race') is much preferable to half-caste. At least from my POV!)

[schreckschraube.livejournal.com]

Does the guy have some sort of hairy armpit on his knee? Why is this black curly stuff showing up under his pants? Did he just have his calves shaved, and the rest is really really hairy?

But a very pretty dragon!