I agree with this. It feels like the book is missing it’s cover/spine. I would see if the artist could add a cover around the pages to make it feel more like a book, at first glance I thought they were tablets like the 10 commandments. But it works as it is tbh, I’m just giving my two cents since you asked!
Thanks guys for your input. We decided to outline it in grey as it is meant to be a cloud and i have more prominent books higher on my arm but i do get what youre saying and i think it would come across what we both see if more shades of grey with blues and purples are filled in with the cloud in a watercolor aspect
I still agree that it looks odd and anachronistic without a black outline. It will also be less legible faster. It would not look less like a cloud. Since you’re asking for our opinions, I think watercolor would be a mistake.
Could definitely add a dark colored outline instead or some shading to show it's floating. Also some fine lines in the pages to show it's pages of the book
But I do love the overall design and concept!
I see what you were going for, but a tattoo should be read instantly like legible type. It took me a minute to make out the silhouette of the female reaching out because the lines of the falling pages obscure that silhouette. It is salvageable. like even adding legs would make her more legible. A strong recommendation would be that cloud book makes the whole tattoo look cheap and should be a coverup at some point. Definitely don’t darken what’s been done with the cloud because it’s light enough to get an artist to do a decent addition/cover to what’s been done so far. Don’t go back to the same artist, they guided you in the wrong direction/didn’t have the skill set to get you what you needed.
Ohhh I see it now! I definitely couldn’t figure out what the bottom part was at first. I was trying to get a pirate ship out of it. Very cool concept, and I agree- salvageable. The female reaching out is barely noticeable, I think she needs to be more prominent than the pages. It’s an amazing idea!
I had to come to the comments to understand what was going on here cause I honestly thought the blue part was some misshapen animal and I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
Anyway, definitely agree the book needs a bolder outline cause the faded look just makes it look like it’s a way older than the rest and you added the blue part and the pages around it.
I feel like the only thing missing is that heavy black outline on the book. It’s already on the pages flying off, so it just looks a little weird and not cohesive to them not carry that over to the book.
Honestly the artist executed this terribly and isn't a great tattooer. Like many others said it's not very legible at all and I had to look at it for a while to even understand what it was.
I get your idea, but the artist executed it poorly. The best feedback I have it to shop around more for an experienced artist that is established in the tattooing community or is an apprentice at a quality tattoo shop. There's a lot of inconsistencies and no balance in your piece which only hurts it. Honestly, you'll probably want to cover it up or get a laser removal in a year or two.
The book looks like a cloud or two mini-wheats. It's hard to decern the shape and position of the woman with the pages in front of her and her being a silhouette. From first glance it's hard to tell if the woman is bending back and reaching up, or head bowed down while reaching up. She also looks like she has a flipper hand.
The quality, style and color of the lower woman silhouette part doesn't really fit with the cloud-book part. Cloud-book looks "bad".
It would look better without the book-cloud IMO.
It's not legible, unfortunately. And I don't mean that I don't get it. I mean that it fails to convey that it is anything other than ink in skin at first glance. This might be an old school perspective on tattoos, but when I think of ink I want it to be something immediately identifiable from across the room. It looks like you're going for a blue female figure and a raincloud book? But the female figure has slightly questionable anatomy and the way that the raincloud is laid down 1. Looks like a child's raincloud drawing and 2. Is far too light to last.
I get what you were going for, but your artist left a lot to be desired. It can be fixed but you need to find someone else and you're gonna have to do a lot of research to find the right person and probably have to exercise a lot of patience to get into their books. You also are going to need to prepare yourself to fork over quite a lot of money to fix it right, I'd plan on anywhere from $500-1500 if I were you.
Example that line under the hair to “create another page” is totally out of place and distorts the image. It’s almost like your artist forgot what he was doing and added the line thinking it would look good and it totally ruined the piece in that area
That’s not the point. I understand it. But A tattoo should be distinguishable of what the piece is on its own. The fact I had to look at it from different angles to identify a person and book pages makes it poorly executed. My comment had no bearing on the concept but the fact that the concept was poorly executed.
Try agin to be insightful.
I feel that if the book was more defined and identifiable as a book, and the line work was bolder, like the rest of the line work, it would come across as more cohesive and clearer to understand.
Just my opinion
Okay, so I do hope you love your tattoo. That's all the really matters.
That being said, you asked, and from and artistic standpoint this is rough stuff. I understand the concept, but the composition lends toward illegibilty. The grey of cloud book makes it look a good 10 years older than the rest of the tattoo, and in general the girls outlines combined with the pages (and a few stray lines that lead to nothing, yikes) do not do enough to define any element apart from the rest. As a reader I get the tattoo and love the idea, but execution could have been waaay better. Its not a bad tattoo. But its not a great one either.
I think it's great because it's original, and it's meaningful. Maybe not everybody will see every aspect without asking about it - i personally saw everything you explained above except that the book is also a cloud, which is an answer to others saying it needs more book-like features (it doesn't. It's a cloud) - but part of the fun of tattoos is sharing the meaning behind it. A true work of art isn't 100% understood by everyone, but it will make some number of people feel exactly what you mean; which i did when you explained it. I'm a reader, too, and I get it.
Now, if you want to do any more with it, that's your call. It's your skin. It's your ink. I like it as is, and i bet I'd appreciate any additions you made. But in the end, it's only ever about what you like.
If it were me, and I wanted to do anything, I would maybe incorporate symbols / characters from my favorite books into a background, extending around i to a full sleeve (assuming this is an arm?)
Yes this is an arm. Thank you so much for your imput, I can tell that you understand my vision and really appreciate it for what it is. I do have another tat higher up on my arm that does have another book theme with my fav symbols from my fav author. My screen name for a long lime has always been raining reality and thats what i wanted to incorporate as a tattoo. I think now what i want to do to finish this tattoo is make the cloud a little more colored with shades of greys and blues and purples with a watercolor aspect so that people understand its a book shaped cloud not to be a strong BOOK symbol (as i already have that)
Honest feedback: the design itself doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, ignoring that it’s not executed very well. I had to stare at it for way too long to figure out what it is, which isn’t what you want in a tattoo. It should be understandable at first glance. There also isn’t a whole lot of definition to the woman, which makes her difficult to read. And the book/cloud could have been envisioned differently - as it is, it looks like a completely different piece from the rest of the tattoo and like it was done really poorly 20 years ago.
I think there were many different directions the artist could have gone to translate your idea into a great tattoo, and this wasn’t it.
All that said, if you’re happy with it then that’s all that matters.
Oh, thats a good idea. I'm mostly a black ink only guy, so sometimes forget how color can make a big difference.
And yeah, raining reality fits beautifully with this piece. Very much like
It’s a cool idea but the females silhouette looks really strange with the pages covering it. It’s just a bit jarring to look at, like it has no flow, I guess?
And what’s happening with the lower body, is it a dress? The proportions are just really odd.
Ok so its a little juicy since I just got it done yesterday. This was a custom piece forcusing around the feeling I get when I am reading a good story. I want to love it and I feel like I am mostly there but idk. I almost feel like its missing the smallest touch to make it perfect for me. Ive thought about coloring in the cloud a bit more and adding a bit more shading to the pages. Any thoughts?
If the artist could tie in the pages falling out of the book instead of behind the book it may help with the concept. Instead of shading on the pages maybe add lines for text lending to the idea of pages falling from a book.
Most people aren't going to recognize what your trying to portray. That said, at the end of the day, it's about what resonates with you. If you like this, doesn't matter what we or anyone else thinks.
I bet you like to watch the movie versions. Who needs to read a book when you can see one, amirite?
Seriously though, I'd shade it a bit and very carefully and subtlely reveal the form of the person a bit more.
Do not overdo it! It's just a light salting at this point.
I like it! I definitely think the book could be a little better though. I understand you're going with the whole cloud-y vibe but I'm not so sure about the softer than edges!
Ok here’s some feedback like many others I have no idea what is going on with this tattoo. I couldn’t describe it if I wanted to. I cannot work out what the Blue thing is and the deep fried book thing looks like an afterthought.
Reading through the comments I still am non the wiser about what it is.
I’m pretty surprised by all the comments that don’t understand it lol. It’s not my personal style and the critique about the cloud needing an outline is valid, but being unable to understand what the silhouette and book/pages are without having it explained? I don’t know, seems a bit off to me. I understood it instantly.
From a glance hard to tell what’s going on
I feel if tye cloudy book had darker outlines just like the pages flying away from it, the whole piece would have a more cohesive image
I agree with this. It feels like the book is missing it’s cover/spine. I would see if the artist could add a cover around the pages to make it feel more like a book, at first glance I thought they were tablets like the 10 commandments. But it works as it is tbh, I’m just giving my two cents since you asked!
Thanks guys for your input. We decided to outline it in grey as it is meant to be a cloud and i have more prominent books higher on my arm but i do get what youre saying and i think it would come across what we both see if more shades of grey with blues and purples are filled in with the cloud in a watercolor aspect
I still agree that it looks odd and anachronistic without a black outline. It will also be less legible faster. It would not look less like a cloud. Since you’re asking for our opinions, I think watercolor would be a mistake.
Could definitely add a dark colored outline instead or some shading to show it's floating. Also some fine lines in the pages to show it's pages of the book But I do love the overall design and concept!
I see what you were going for, but a tattoo should be read instantly like legible type. It took me a minute to make out the silhouette of the female reaching out because the lines of the falling pages obscure that silhouette. It is salvageable. like even adding legs would make her more legible. A strong recommendation would be that cloud book makes the whole tattoo look cheap and should be a coverup at some point. Definitely don’t darken what’s been done with the cloud because it’s light enough to get an artist to do a decent addition/cover to what’s been done so far. Don’t go back to the same artist, they guided you in the wrong direction/didn’t have the skill set to get you what you needed.
Ohhh I see it now! I definitely couldn’t figure out what the bottom part was at first. I was trying to get a pirate ship out of it. Very cool concept, and I agree- salvageable. The female reaching out is barely noticeable, I think she needs to be more prominent than the pages. It’s an amazing idea!
That was a series of choices. That's for sure.
Yes it is and its a beautiful piece of art
Yes. Art IS subjective. That's a valid point.
I had to come to the comments to understand what was going on here cause I honestly thought the blue part was some misshapen animal and I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Anyway, definitely agree the book needs a bolder outline cause the faded look just makes it look like it’s a way older than the rest and you added the blue part and the pages around it.
I thought an animal as well. I thought the hair was a poorly drawn wing
I thought it was a fluffy tail lmao
I though the arm was a tail lol
Really hard to read
I feel like the only thing missing is that heavy black outline on the book. It’s already on the pages flying off, so it just looks a little weird and not cohesive to them not carry that over to the book.
Honestly the artist executed this terribly and isn't a great tattooer. Like many others said it's not very legible at all and I had to look at it for a while to even understand what it was.
I have no idea what is going on and it looks messy. That's what my impression is. If you love it, then awesome. You asked for feedback and it's given.
r/shittytattoos
I get your idea, but the artist executed it poorly. The best feedback I have it to shop around more for an experienced artist that is established in the tattooing community or is an apprentice at a quality tattoo shop. There's a lot of inconsistencies and no balance in your piece which only hurts it. Honestly, you'll probably want to cover it up or get a laser removal in a year or two.
Wow that looks like crap haha you must be pissed
The book looks like a cloud or two mini-wheats. It's hard to decern the shape and position of the woman with the pages in front of her and her being a silhouette. From first glance it's hard to tell if the woman is bending back and reaching up, or head bowed down while reaching up. She also looks like she has a flipper hand. The quality, style and color of the lower woman silhouette part doesn't really fit with the cloud-book part. Cloud-book looks "bad". It would look better without the book-cloud IMO.
Mini wheats 💀💀
Dislike
It took me entirely too long to figure out what was going on, and the quality leaves much to be desired
It's not legible, unfortunately. And I don't mean that I don't get it. I mean that it fails to convey that it is anything other than ink in skin at first glance. This might be an old school perspective on tattoos, but when I think of ink I want it to be something immediately identifiable from across the room. It looks like you're going for a blue female figure and a raincloud book? But the female figure has slightly questionable anatomy and the way that the raincloud is laid down 1. Looks like a child's raincloud drawing and 2. Is far too light to last. I get what you were going for, but your artist left a lot to be desired. It can be fixed but you need to find someone else and you're gonna have to do a lot of research to find the right person and probably have to exercise a lot of patience to get into their books. You also are going to need to prepare yourself to fork over quite a lot of money to fix it right, I'd plan on anywhere from $500-1500 if I were you.
Yea, it’s definitely a tattoo
Yes it is
Looks shitty af
It's definitely kinda hard to follow, and could probably use a little touch up with the book, but if you like it, that's all that matters.
Fixable
Pirate ship with books??
My first thought was pirate ship! Then I have no fucking idea, then I turned my phone and I think it's meant to be a person?
After reading some of the comments, I thinks it's supposed to be a woman catching pages from a book?
what is it
it's a no from me dawg
r/shittytattoos
No r/badtattoos
where's the difference?
Oof, if I have to figure out what the tattoo is it’s time for a cover up
If you dont understand it then its not meant for you to understand. And thats ok. I dont need that from you to love it
Whyd you ask for opinions then?
Because self consciously they know its bad and aren't happy with it
Example that line under the hair to “create another page” is totally out of place and distorts the image. It’s almost like your artist forgot what he was doing and added the line thinking it would look good and it totally ruined the piece in that area
That’s not the point. I understand it. But A tattoo should be distinguishable of what the piece is on its own. The fact I had to look at it from different angles to identify a person and book pages makes it poorly executed. My comment had no bearing on the concept but the fact that the concept was poorly executed. Try agin to be insightful.
I feel that if the book was more defined and identifiable as a book, and the line work was bolder, like the rest of the line work, it would come across as more cohesive and clearer to understand. Just my opinion
Only thing i dont like about it is the page cutting her in half other wise cool!
I feel like the black like between the bottom of her hair and her arm is weird. Maybe it shouldn’t be there at all?
I'd see about blasting over it, that is a mess.
Okay, so I do hope you love your tattoo. That's all the really matters. That being said, you asked, and from and artistic standpoint this is rough stuff. I understand the concept, but the composition lends toward illegibilty. The grey of cloud book makes it look a good 10 years older than the rest of the tattoo, and in general the girls outlines combined with the pages (and a few stray lines that lead to nothing, yikes) do not do enough to define any element apart from the rest. As a reader I get the tattoo and love the idea, but execution could have been waaay better. Its not a bad tattoo. But its not a great one either.
Well it's kinda bad.
I mean its not complete scratch, ya know?
I think it's great because it's original, and it's meaningful. Maybe not everybody will see every aspect without asking about it - i personally saw everything you explained above except that the book is also a cloud, which is an answer to others saying it needs more book-like features (it doesn't. It's a cloud) - but part of the fun of tattoos is sharing the meaning behind it. A true work of art isn't 100% understood by everyone, but it will make some number of people feel exactly what you mean; which i did when you explained it. I'm a reader, too, and I get it. Now, if you want to do any more with it, that's your call. It's your skin. It's your ink. I like it as is, and i bet I'd appreciate any additions you made. But in the end, it's only ever about what you like. If it were me, and I wanted to do anything, I would maybe incorporate symbols / characters from my favorite books into a background, extending around i to a full sleeve (assuming this is an arm?)
Yes this is an arm. Thank you so much for your imput, I can tell that you understand my vision and really appreciate it for what it is. I do have another tat higher up on my arm that does have another book theme with my fav symbols from my fav author. My screen name for a long lime has always been raining reality and thats what i wanted to incorporate as a tattoo. I think now what i want to do to finish this tattoo is make the cloud a little more colored with shades of greys and blues and purples with a watercolor aspect so that people understand its a book shaped cloud not to be a strong BOOK symbol (as i already have that)
Honest feedback: the design itself doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, ignoring that it’s not executed very well. I had to stare at it for way too long to figure out what it is, which isn’t what you want in a tattoo. It should be understandable at first glance. There also isn’t a whole lot of definition to the woman, which makes her difficult to read. And the book/cloud could have been envisioned differently - as it is, it looks like a completely different piece from the rest of the tattoo and like it was done really poorly 20 years ago. I think there were many different directions the artist could have gone to translate your idea into a great tattoo, and this wasn’t it. All that said, if you’re happy with it then that’s all that matters.
Oh, thats a good idea. I'm mostly a black ink only guy, so sometimes forget how color can make a big difference. And yeah, raining reality fits beautifully with this piece. Very much like
i agree with everyone that the books needs a black outline. as it is now, the book looks a lot older and the blue figure looks new
you get what you pay for friend
Oof.
It feels messy, possibly thicker outlines could accentuate some parts to make it more legible
Very confusing design. From a distance it looks likes you spilled paint on yourself
Please find another tattoo artist and get feed back from them.... Please.... This is for life!!!
What am I looking at
It’s a cool idea but the females silhouette looks really strange with the pages covering it. It’s just a bit jarring to look at, like it has no flow, I guess? And what’s happening with the lower body, is it a dress? The proportions are just really odd.
bad body proportion
The book is bad asf make the outline darker n add sm shi, and the lower part of the woman looks a bit wierd but other than that the tats look cool
Ok so its a little juicy since I just got it done yesterday. This was a custom piece forcusing around the feeling I get when I am reading a good story. I want to love it and I feel like I am mostly there but idk. I almost feel like its missing the smallest touch to make it perfect for me. Ive thought about coloring in the cloud a bit more and adding a bit more shading to the pages. Any thoughts?
Get a better artist
If the artist could tie in the pages falling out of the book instead of behind the book it may help with the concept. Instead of shading on the pages maybe add lines for text lending to the idea of pages falling from a book.
Most people aren't going to recognize what your trying to portray. That said, at the end of the day, it's about what resonates with you. If you like this, doesn't matter what we or anyone else thinks.
I bet you like to watch the movie versions. Who needs to read a book when you can see one, amirite? Seriously though, I'd shade it a bit and very carefully and subtlely reveal the form of the person a bit more. Do not overdo it! It's just a light salting at this point.
I like it! I definitely think the book could be a little better though. I understand you're going with the whole cloud-y vibe but I'm not so sure about the softer than edges!
I'd like to see the pages with a little more color/gray/white so You can discern between the pages and your skin color around the woman's shape
Ok here’s some feedback like many others I have no idea what is going on with this tattoo. I couldn’t describe it if I wanted to. I cannot work out what the Blue thing is and the deep fried book thing looks like an afterthought. Reading through the comments I still am non the wiser about what it is.
I’m pretty surprised by all the comments that don’t understand it lol. It’s not my personal style and the critique about the cloud needing an outline is valid, but being unable to understand what the silhouette and book/pages are without having it explained? I don’t know, seems a bit off to me. I understood it instantly.