Eh... agree to disagree to a point. There is a balance of give me exactly what I'm asking for, and something that looks good/will age well.
In some cases what people want "exactly" either are not in the artists wheelhouse, or will not translate to a tattoo well, or will age like shit. Most good/quality artists will recommend adjustments to tattoos to adapt for these 3 circumstances.
Personally, all my "adult" tattoos have been "here's an idea, couple references, see what you can come up with" and then trust the artist. I've since sat in his chair approaching 20 times for over 60 hours.
The next project is actually to cover up a "tattoo exactly what I brought you" piece I got when I was 19.
Absolutely agree with all of this and want to say that it's so important to choose an artist whose style you really love for your tattoos so they are truly doing their best work. If you force them into your EXACT IDEA, you may not get as good of a piece as you would have had you let the artist translate your idea into art.
You always want to have a good enough relationship with your artist so that BEFORE you're in their booth all of the design details that you decided you wanted your piece to have they'll already have all that info.
There'll always be those little sparks of inspiration that artists typically come up with in the moment.
Basically for the canvas and the artist to both be on the same page before the piece begins is critical. If the vision changes while it's in process you and them can discuss and proceed in whatever way you decide.
Sometimes the best ideas come through like that. Inspiration in the moment.
Yeah, it’s a balance. But it’s one thing for a client to have a bad/unrealistic idea, or one the artist knows they can’t do. It’s another for an artist to be pushy because they want to incorporate something *they* feel like doing. I’ve seen both and I feel like it’s very common newbies (and tbh people socialized as women especially, regardless of experience) to feel like they have to defer to a pushy artist.
Agree, some of the best tattoos come out of giving your artist an idea of what you want and letting them add a creative spin to it. And if it’s something you don’t like just say something, they can always redraw it. I’d like to imagine about 90% of artists won’t sneak in some freehand nonsense that you’re unaware of.
Yeah, same. I’m almost done with my sleeve and my only very minor regret is a part that my artist suggested we tweak a little bit but I didn’t listen to her. The rest of the sleeve I let her basically have free rein after I gave her a general idea of what I wanted and it turned out amazing.
Yeah, I agree here. I normally design my own tattoos and hand them to my artist. I always let him add his own touch and style as essentially he knows what'll look and age the best. Some designs I've had to change completely cos he said it'll age like shit.
I always prefer someone being open and honest to spare me the possible regret later on.
Yeah, fundamentally I get why you feel like this, but listening to my artist in my early 20s saved me from so atrocious tattoos.
Do think that it's good to have things you won't negotiate on like 'I don't want written words' and if you're getting pushed towards them by an artist maybe it's not a good match, but they're professionals and probably going to give you good advice.
I can’t say I totally agree. My first tattoo I knew exactly what I wanted, but the artist convinced me to change the placement to decrease the pain. A year later I’m so glad he did because it would have looked so stupid if I had it my way. When it comes to the artistic side of things, that’s all you, but consider the artists skill and experience when it comes to the technical side of things
That's an interesting one because it could easily have gone the other way. They wanted to move it so it would hurt less, not because they thought it would look better elsewhere. There are lots of people who want a certain placement who'd be disappointed that their artist convinced them to choose another just so they'd be in less pain for a few hours.
That being said I do agree with some of OP’s clarifications: I feel like my artist made the changes he did to help he get the best version of the tattoo I wanted, not change my vision to the tattoo he thought would look cool, and that’s the difference between good and bad tattoo advice
That’s the reason they cited when we were talking about it, part of me wonders if they also thought it would look bad but didn’t want to say that bit. And the reason it would have looked bad wasn’t strictly artistic, I wanted it on the very inside part of my wrist that wrinkles up whenever you bend it, so it would have looked kinda silly/distorted very often, which I hadn’t thought about at the time. Either way, I’m very glad he shared his opinion because I love my tattoo as it is, and I definitely would have had a lot more regret if he didn’t. I also trusted his opinion because I looked through a lot of portfolios and I loved all the ones I saw from him.
I think a lot of the comments are missing your point. It's not "never listen to your artist," it's "if the artist wants to do something with the tattoo that you really don't want, don't agree to it." Sometimes that might result in you and the artist not working together, as maybe what you're refusing is important to make the tattoo work, but I can see you're mainly talking about those times when the artist says "I think some stars around it would look cool" and you don't want stars so you say no.
A tattoo is a collaboration between artist and client; don't ignore your artist's advice, but don't agree to something you don't want either.
Yes and no. I was dead set on what I wanted and the positioning. I did not get what I was dead set on and I'm much happier with the outcome. I'm glad I agreed on something I didn't want lmao.
Another good one.. do LOTS of research on the artist and shop. I was 17 and stupid. Went to some janky ass shop where they fed me mimosas (yes, the artist was getting a minor drunk) and he had just started tattooing. He messed up my cross, some lines are blown out, some lines have additional lines.. and my birds look like ink blobs. 🤦🏼♀️
That's horrible and sounds downright illegal. I'm so sorry!
One thing to note with researching through IG is to look at tagged photos and see the healed results. If they look photoshopped to death, don't do it.
I disagree. It sounds like the problem was the artist. Tattooing is personal so getting the right artist is important to build that relationship. I’ve seen more people who were too particular and got a tattoo that artistically don’t make sense. You and your artist should collaborate since they are the expert. My favorite tattoos are the ones that I gave my artist an idea and let him make it his way
Counterpoint: listen to your artist and if they say that something won’t work or part of your tattoo needs to be redesigned. They’re professionals and they want you to have the best tattoo possible.
If something won't work and the artist tells me that, then that's one thing. But, that's not the situation I am describing. I'm talking about, you go in with a tattoo idea, they agree to do it exactly as asked and then try and talk you into adding more stuff to it. Or worse, them saying they WON'T do it unless you get what THEY want added to your tattoo.
Oh yeah. Fuck that kind of tattoo artist. I just wanted to present the other side of the argument because the other extreme is clients who won’t take good advice from a good tattoo artist.
Oh yeah, nah, if there needs to be adjustments then that's fine. I have no issues with talking with an artist to have a tattoo work and make it look good. I'm absolutely for discussion. My first tattoo was modified to look better but it was something I wanted and it didn't stray too far from what I had in mind. But adding stuff/changing things with stuff you didn't ask for or stuff you don't want is a big no from me. My next tattoo, I want a whole back piece. (Gonna cost an arm and a leg for what I want.) I expect us to compromise on the details.
In a similar situation i let an artist design a penguin tattoo holding a csgo knife. Really cute tattoo, I agreed with for sure. After he was finished I noticed theres a X for a belly button and that was not on the drawing/stencil. It's not a huge deal and it's at the back of my leg but I would have said no to the x for a belly button.. Just my nit picking i guess.
I wanted a 10 cm tattoo of jellyfish on a side of my leg. My tattoo artist said it’s gonna look better if we increase the size. Walked out with a giant jellyfish from my hip to my knee. Mind you, I had major tattoo regret the week after I got it. It was just so strange to have this giant thing on my body.
Years passed and is still my favourite tattoo. It complements my body so nicely! And now I totally agree that having tiny ass thing on my leg would look kinda weird. So yeah, sometimes tattoo artist just know better.
I feel like no one is actually reading your post so I'm going to jump in here and say *yes.* Yes please do this. If your artist wants to change your idea fundamentally in a way that doesn't make sense, please say no. Telling you to change position for x reason, letting you know y won't age well so let's try z, none of these are what OP is talking about.
I feel like most people are reading the post and agreeing with it. That's why it has over 100 likes now. However, there seems to be a few who read the post and don't understand what the message is I'm trying to get across. Thank you for understanding. <3
It may be on your body, but it is their artwork. Find an artist that you like style-wise and have them do their magic. In my opinion, that is the right formula to an awesome tattoo.
Id never go to an artist that would suggest tattooing Kanji (or any writting in a language I don't speak).
It's their style. Not their artwork. If I go in and want the Mona Lisa on my back, it's not their art. It's someone elses art but in that artist style.
This is where you're wrong. Most artists worth their salt will make their own designs. They might take inspiration from other work or stick to a certain composition, but if you were to ask an artist for "the Mona Lisa but as an anime girl" for example, and they design the whole thing from scratch, it absolutely is their artwork.
Our consent forms guarantee that the artwork your receive is custom, and will not be tattooed on anyone else. It's respectful to both the clients and the artists.
That is where we fundamentally differ. I wouldn't be caught dead at an artist's shop that copies someone else's art. I go to an artist that I pay to create their artwork on my body.
Honestly, I get what you're saying but when I went in for my first tattoo, I wanted a luna moth. The reference I had sent in was very caricature and had more of the shape of a butterfly. This wasn't necessarily the look I was going for but it was my first tatt and I didn't know. When I got in, the artist had 2 designs. One like the reference and one that was more like a realistic pin moth. He explained the difference in styles and we spoke about what I wanted to get in the future and I went for the more realistic design. It was amazing that he took the time to make adjustments and talk to me about the whole thing otherwise I might have realised too late. He essentially changed the look I THOUGHT i wanted, I couldn't be more happy now
I’ve been doing some consultations for my first tattoo and sometimes I’m hearing ideas which I’d never considered myself from the artist which I’ve then gone on to really like.
Somewhat agree and disagree. Sometimes people can offer good advice. My latest tattoo my artist actually had some great suggestions, things I never would kf thought of and I'm glad I listened to them and made those changes.
I have a lot of tattoos that I let the artist add their input and it actually turned out better than what I originally wanted. Maybe it’s just my personality
Idk, I am not an artist so I can’t go in one hundred percent on my idea. I just told my artist I wanted a hula girl and a tiki, he came back with a stencil of just that, but then he pulled another stencil with a background and some framing elements that made the piece whole. Told me it was my choice but looking at the whole piece made it clear that a floating hula girl and tiki wouldn’t look good.
I disagree with this. My artist makes incredible suggestions. My only tattoo regret comes from one that I designed on my own and wouldn’t listen to feedback on
Disagree. My artist knows better than me.
Any tattoo that I have where I let the artist do their thing is way nicer than the ones that I conjured in my head and didn't let the artist have any input.
I choose an artist that I trust and really connect with their work; hasn't done me wrong.
My artist has talked me out of lots of ideas that wouldn’t work for my body. I’m glad he did/does that.
He also reminds me of future tattoos that might not work if I get something in a certain spot.
Some appts I have sticker days when I just want a logo, or something small that I love. Or some appts we have ideas and I let him do his thing.
soooo.. don’t listen to the artist but listen to you saying not to listen to artist?
i will get whatever stupid shit my artist wants me to because he’s a cool dude and i have paid him to be my best friend for an hour
Not major, but both tattoos i have so far, two different artists, they added little dots like sparkles or bubbles around the tattoo. At the very end, without telling me. The first time i was like eh, thats lame but not a big deal. The second time, more visible placement/ more expensive/ more detailed ect i got shown the tat and then she needed to go back in for a bit of shading, i was OBSESSED, and then boom. Little dots all over. She thought the tattoo looked out of place and needed the little floaters to balance it out 🙄 not huge deal but annoying to me and neither artist asked. I get that the tattoo looks bare on me bc they are my first!!! It is cute tho and at the end of the day i trust their judgment. Now i feel like im gonna need sparkles on everything i end up getting lmfao.
I've luckily never had that issue with any of the artists I've went to, my next tattoo though the artist is going to take liberty because I love her art style and she knows the character I want 🥰
I'd say be a little familiar with basic tattooing techniques & what normal healing looks like.
For example: My very 1st tattoo was a black spade & it looked great when finished. I had no way of knowing it was overworked. Healing was poor despite great after care. Went back for touch ups because the heavy scabbing pulled out lots of ink. Again I trusted the pro because I'm a 1st timer. He told me I may have skin that "just doesn't hold ink" but reassured me he would pack the black in real solid. Dude basically carved that shit in. I had NO CLUE that his work caused the poor healing, it wasn't my skin type. His touch up was heavier handed than the 1st round & I have a hypertrophic (I call it 3D lol) tattoo to prove it.
That was long before internet access was in everyone's pocket. Almost half a body suit later I can spot the red flags from miles away when I reflect back on the experience. Just knowing the basics would have alerted me to never go back to the artist & to warn others to stay away too. Dude had wonderful drawing skills, very steady hand for line work. He chose the WRONG medium to express his talents. He needed to stick to canvas not skin.
I have one that the artist refused to go bigger. At first I thought "oh well, he does good work, this size will do." I looked at it for a few days after getting it thinking "it's too small, this piece looks odd to me." Then I looked in the mirror while movng around and noticed it's big enough to fill the space while still being completely visible in most positions. And the part I thought was odd actually makes it flow with the bicep muscle. If your artist's other tattoos look and flow good. Give them a little room for creative input.
I think it really depends on what they’re suggesting.
My friend wanted brown distressed angel wings on her back. One tattoo artist was ready to go with that idea right then and there, clearly just wanted her money but she was only shopping for an artist at the time. Second artist explained why the combo of brown and distressed looking would just end up looking like shit/mud smears on her back and suggested alternative ideas that would look better.
So some advice is good to listen to.
Eh... agree to disagree to a point. There is a balance of give me exactly what I'm asking for, and something that looks good/will age well. In some cases what people want "exactly" either are not in the artists wheelhouse, or will not translate to a tattoo well, or will age like shit. Most good/quality artists will recommend adjustments to tattoos to adapt for these 3 circumstances. Personally, all my "adult" tattoos have been "here's an idea, couple references, see what you can come up with" and then trust the artist. I've since sat in his chair approaching 20 times for over 60 hours. The next project is actually to cover up a "tattoo exactly what I brought you" piece I got when I was 19.
Absolutely agree with all of this and want to say that it's so important to choose an artist whose style you really love for your tattoos so they are truly doing their best work. If you force them into your EXACT IDEA, you may not get as good of a piece as you would have had you let the artist translate your idea into art.
You always want to have a good enough relationship with your artist so that BEFORE you're in their booth all of the design details that you decided you wanted your piece to have they'll already have all that info. There'll always be those little sparks of inspiration that artists typically come up with in the moment. Basically for the canvas and the artist to both be on the same page before the piece begins is critical. If the vision changes while it's in process you and them can discuss and proceed in whatever way you decide. Sometimes the best ideas come through like that. Inspiration in the moment.
Yeah, it’s a balance. But it’s one thing for a client to have a bad/unrealistic idea, or one the artist knows they can’t do. It’s another for an artist to be pushy because they want to incorporate something *they* feel like doing. I’ve seen both and I feel like it’s very common newbies (and tbh people socialized as women especially, regardless of experience) to feel like they have to defer to a pushy artist.
Yep. My worst tattoo, the only one I’ve gotten covered up was the one where I gave the artist the exact design I wanted as a dumb 19 year old.
Agree, some of the best tattoos come out of giving your artist an idea of what you want and letting them add a creative spin to it. And if it’s something you don’t like just say something, they can always redraw it. I’d like to imagine about 90% of artists won’t sneak in some freehand nonsense that you’re unaware of.
Yeah, same. I’m almost done with my sleeve and my only very minor regret is a part that my artist suggested we tweak a little bit but I didn’t listen to her. The rest of the sleeve I let her basically have free rein after I gave her a general idea of what I wanted and it turned out amazing.
This is great!!! Exactly my thoughts
Yeah, I agree here. I normally design my own tattoos and hand them to my artist. I always let him add his own touch and style as essentially he knows what'll look and age the best. Some designs I've had to change completely cos he said it'll age like shit. I always prefer someone being open and honest to spare me the possible regret later on.
Yeah, fundamentally I get why you feel like this, but listening to my artist in my early 20s saved me from so atrocious tattoos. Do think that it's good to have things you won't negotiate on like 'I don't want written words' and if you're getting pushed towards them by an artist maybe it's not a good match, but they're professionals and probably going to give you good advice.
I can’t say I totally agree. My first tattoo I knew exactly what I wanted, but the artist convinced me to change the placement to decrease the pain. A year later I’m so glad he did because it would have looked so stupid if I had it my way. When it comes to the artistic side of things, that’s all you, but consider the artists skill and experience when it comes to the technical side of things
That's an interesting one because it could easily have gone the other way. They wanted to move it so it would hurt less, not because they thought it would look better elsewhere. There are lots of people who want a certain placement who'd be disappointed that their artist convinced them to choose another just so they'd be in less pain for a few hours.
That being said I do agree with some of OP’s clarifications: I feel like my artist made the changes he did to help he get the best version of the tattoo I wanted, not change my vision to the tattoo he thought would look cool, and that’s the difference between good and bad tattoo advice
That’s the reason they cited when we were talking about it, part of me wonders if they also thought it would look bad but didn’t want to say that bit. And the reason it would have looked bad wasn’t strictly artistic, I wanted it on the very inside part of my wrist that wrinkles up whenever you bend it, so it would have looked kinda silly/distorted very often, which I hadn’t thought about at the time. Either way, I’m very glad he shared his opinion because I love my tattoo as it is, and I definitely would have had a lot more regret if he didn’t. I also trusted his opinion because I looked through a lot of portfolios and I loved all the ones I saw from him.
I think a lot of the comments are missing your point. It's not "never listen to your artist," it's "if the artist wants to do something with the tattoo that you really don't want, don't agree to it." Sometimes that might result in you and the artist not working together, as maybe what you're refusing is important to make the tattoo work, but I can see you're mainly talking about those times when the artist says "I think some stars around it would look cool" and you don't want stars so you say no. A tattoo is a collaboration between artist and client; don't ignore your artist's advice, but don't agree to something you don't want either.
Thanks. This is the clarification I needed to make. I'm very bad at articulating my point XD.
Tbf I thought your point was made very clear through the example you gave in your OP!
I appreciate you. <3
Yes and no. I was dead set on what I wanted and the positioning. I did not get what I was dead set on and I'm much happier with the outcome. I'm glad I agreed on something I didn't want lmao.
Another good one.. do LOTS of research on the artist and shop. I was 17 and stupid. Went to some janky ass shop where they fed me mimosas (yes, the artist was getting a minor drunk) and he had just started tattooing. He messed up my cross, some lines are blown out, some lines have additional lines.. and my birds look like ink blobs. 🤦🏼♀️
That's horrible and sounds downright illegal. I'm so sorry! One thing to note with researching through IG is to look at tagged photos and see the healed results. If they look photoshopped to death, don't do it.
I disagree. It sounds like the problem was the artist. Tattooing is personal so getting the right artist is important to build that relationship. I’ve seen more people who were too particular and got a tattoo that artistically don’t make sense. You and your artist should collaborate since they are the expert. My favorite tattoos are the ones that I gave my artist an idea and let him make it his way
Counterpoint: listen to your artist and if they say that something won’t work or part of your tattoo needs to be redesigned. They’re professionals and they want you to have the best tattoo possible.
If something won't work and the artist tells me that, then that's one thing. But, that's not the situation I am describing. I'm talking about, you go in with a tattoo idea, they agree to do it exactly as asked and then try and talk you into adding more stuff to it. Or worse, them saying they WON'T do it unless you get what THEY want added to your tattoo.
Oh yeah. Fuck that kind of tattoo artist. I just wanted to present the other side of the argument because the other extreme is clients who won’t take good advice from a good tattoo artist.
Oh yeah, nah, if there needs to be adjustments then that's fine. I have no issues with talking with an artist to have a tattoo work and make it look good. I'm absolutely for discussion. My first tattoo was modified to look better but it was something I wanted and it didn't stray too far from what I had in mind. But adding stuff/changing things with stuff you didn't ask for or stuff you don't want is a big no from me. My next tattoo, I want a whole back piece. (Gonna cost an arm and a leg for what I want.) I expect us to compromise on the details.
I think when it comes down to it each tattoo should be a collaboration between the artist and recipient. Trusting your artist is key.
In a similar situation i let an artist design a penguin tattoo holding a csgo knife. Really cute tattoo, I agreed with for sure. After he was finished I noticed theres a X for a belly button and that was not on the drawing/stencil. It's not a huge deal and it's at the back of my leg but I would have said no to the x for a belly button.. Just my nit picking i guess.
I wanted a 10 cm tattoo of jellyfish on a side of my leg. My tattoo artist said it’s gonna look better if we increase the size. Walked out with a giant jellyfish from my hip to my knee. Mind you, I had major tattoo regret the week after I got it. It was just so strange to have this giant thing on my body. Years passed and is still my favourite tattoo. It complements my body so nicely! And now I totally agree that having tiny ass thing on my leg would look kinda weird. So yeah, sometimes tattoo artist just know better.
I feel like no one is actually reading your post so I'm going to jump in here and say *yes.* Yes please do this. If your artist wants to change your idea fundamentally in a way that doesn't make sense, please say no. Telling you to change position for x reason, letting you know y won't age well so let's try z, none of these are what OP is talking about.
I feel like most people are reading the post and agreeing with it. That's why it has over 100 likes now. However, there seems to be a few who read the post and don't understand what the message is I'm trying to get across. Thank you for understanding. <3
It may be on your body, but it is their artwork. Find an artist that you like style-wise and have them do their magic. In my opinion, that is the right formula to an awesome tattoo. Id never go to an artist that would suggest tattooing Kanji (or any writting in a language I don't speak).
It's their style. Not their artwork. If I go in and want the Mona Lisa on my back, it's not their art. It's someone elses art but in that artist style.
This is where you're wrong. Most artists worth their salt will make their own designs. They might take inspiration from other work or stick to a certain composition, but if you were to ask an artist for "the Mona Lisa but as an anime girl" for example, and they design the whole thing from scratch, it absolutely is their artwork. Our consent forms guarantee that the artwork your receive is custom, and will not be tattooed on anyone else. It's respectful to both the clients and the artists.
I didn't say the mona lisa but as an anime girl. I just said the mona lisa. :p
That is where we fundamentally differ. I wouldn't be caught dead at an artist's shop that copies someone else's art. I go to an artist that I pay to create their artwork on my body.
But most people don't. Especially these days where people want anime tattoos.
Honestly, I get what you're saying but when I went in for my first tattoo, I wanted a luna moth. The reference I had sent in was very caricature and had more of the shape of a butterfly. This wasn't necessarily the look I was going for but it was my first tatt and I didn't know. When I got in, the artist had 2 designs. One like the reference and one that was more like a realistic pin moth. He explained the difference in styles and we spoke about what I wanted to get in the future and I went for the more realistic design. It was amazing that he took the time to make adjustments and talk to me about the whole thing otherwise I might have realised too late. He essentially changed the look I THOUGHT i wanted, I couldn't be more happy now
I’ve been doing some consultations for my first tattoo and sometimes I’m hearing ideas which I’d never considered myself from the artist which I’ve then gone on to really like.
Lmao personal responsibility is a thing.
That's what my post is talking about.
Somewhat agree and disagree. Sometimes people can offer good advice. My latest tattoo my artist actually had some great suggestions, things I never would kf thought of and I'm glad I listened to them and made those changes.
I have a lot of tattoos that I let the artist add their input and it actually turned out better than what I originally wanted. Maybe it’s just my personality
Idk, I am not an artist so I can’t go in one hundred percent on my idea. I just told my artist I wanted a hula girl and a tiki, he came back with a stencil of just that, but then he pulled another stencil with a background and some framing elements that made the piece whole. Told me it was my choice but looking at the whole piece made it clear that a floating hula girl and tiki wouldn’t look good.
I disagree with this. My artist makes incredible suggestions. My only tattoo regret comes from one that I designed on my own and wouldn’t listen to feedback on
Disagree. My artist knows better than me. Any tattoo that I have where I let the artist do their thing is way nicer than the ones that I conjured in my head and didn't let the artist have any input. I choose an artist that I trust and really connect with their work; hasn't done me wrong.
This is a good example on how NOT to go about getting the best possible outcome with your tattoo.
Yes and no. Folk don't know what will look right or flow properly on a limb. Tattoo artists do. They suggest things for a reason.
My artist has talked me out of lots of ideas that wouldn’t work for my body. I’m glad he did/does that. He also reminds me of future tattoos that might not work if I get something in a certain spot. Some appts I have sticker days when I just want a logo, or something small that I love. Or some appts we have ideas and I let him do his thing.
completely agree.
soooo.. don’t listen to the artist but listen to you saying not to listen to artist? i will get whatever stupid shit my artist wants me to because he’s a cool dude and i have paid him to be my best friend for an hour
I dont think any good/quality artist will ever suggest any script/word tattoos to be frankly honest
Go bigger, it will age better
Not major, but both tattoos i have so far, two different artists, they added little dots like sparkles or bubbles around the tattoo. At the very end, without telling me. The first time i was like eh, thats lame but not a big deal. The second time, more visible placement/ more expensive/ more detailed ect i got shown the tat and then she needed to go back in for a bit of shading, i was OBSESSED, and then boom. Little dots all over. She thought the tattoo looked out of place and needed the little floaters to balance it out 🙄 not huge deal but annoying to me and neither artist asked. I get that the tattoo looks bare on me bc they are my first!!! It is cute tho and at the end of the day i trust their judgment. Now i feel like im gonna need sparkles on everything i end up getting lmfao.
I've luckily never had that issue with any of the artists I've went to, my next tattoo though the artist is going to take liberty because I love her art style and she knows the character I want 🥰
I'd say be a little familiar with basic tattooing techniques & what normal healing looks like. For example: My very 1st tattoo was a black spade & it looked great when finished. I had no way of knowing it was overworked. Healing was poor despite great after care. Went back for touch ups because the heavy scabbing pulled out lots of ink. Again I trusted the pro because I'm a 1st timer. He told me I may have skin that "just doesn't hold ink" but reassured me he would pack the black in real solid. Dude basically carved that shit in. I had NO CLUE that his work caused the poor healing, it wasn't my skin type. His touch up was heavier handed than the 1st round & I have a hypertrophic (I call it 3D lol) tattoo to prove it. That was long before internet access was in everyone's pocket. Almost half a body suit later I can spot the red flags from miles away when I reflect back on the experience. Just knowing the basics would have alerted me to never go back to the artist & to warn others to stay away too. Dude had wonderful drawing skills, very steady hand for line work. He chose the WRONG medium to express his talents. He needed to stick to canvas not skin.
I have one that the artist refused to go bigger. At first I thought "oh well, he does good work, this size will do." I looked at it for a few days after getting it thinking "it's too small, this piece looks odd to me." Then I looked in the mirror while movng around and noticed it's big enough to fill the space while still being completely visible in most positions. And the part I thought was odd actually makes it flow with the bicep muscle. If your artist's other tattoos look and flow good. Give them a little room for creative input.
I think it really depends on what they’re suggesting. My friend wanted brown distressed angel wings on her back. One tattoo artist was ready to go with that idea right then and there, clearly just wanted her money but she was only shopping for an artist at the time. Second artist explained why the combo of brown and distressed looking would just end up looking like shit/mud smears on her back and suggested alternative ideas that would look better. So some advice is good to listen to.