Is a sleeve tattoo a bit much for a first tattoo?

Question

How would I go about designing a sleeve?

And I don't want a crap tattoo'ist so who out there is amazing? I can travel all over England.

Answer 1

Its a brave step, but you'd not be the first to go for a sleeve straight away. Many people start with smaller designs and then have them re-worked into a sleeve later, so it can be a good idea to know where you're going when you start and get a better job done.



Make sure you've seen and talked to someone who's been tattooed where you plan to get it done, and make sure you budget for it, 'cos its probably not going to be cheap.



Get the tattoo artist to help you with the design, you don't need to do it yourself (unless of course you want to, I enjoyed designing a couple of mine and it makes them more meaningful to me)



Don't worry too much about getting in places, you always have the option to wear a shirt or other top with long sleeves. I've been turned away from a couple of places, you just have to think ahead and account for any dress codes you might encounter.

Answer 2

Just don't do what I see so many people do, which is get the outline of the entire sleeve and never go back to get the rest. They look awful. I would suggest designing the sleeve with lots of smaller tattoos, and get one smaller tattoo at a time, and when you have them all, have the spaces between filled in.



Also if you do the whole thing at once, you won't be able to add on new things that become important to you in the future.

Answer 3

I know that some tattoo artists dont let you do a full sleeve for your first one...i know here that the tattoo artist want you to research every artist and have some work done before they put that much ink on you...but it may be different from where i am from...but sleeves are amazing but i would take it slow for your first one...

Answer 4

Wow! Absolutely a full sleeve is too much for a first tattoo. First, it will hurt like heck. Second, you don't even know if you're comfortable wearing a tattoo.



Start small. If you want to incorporate something into a full sleeve at a later date, it can be done.



Good luck!

Answer 5

You can do that, yes, though if you do it a little by little you can't guarantee you can always get the same artist. It depends on how long you are willing to wait but it also depends on the artist. Some may not want to. It's a good way of withstanding the pain though, I've heard it can be pretty darn painful so little by little sounds smart. Goodluck, and keep in mind if you do it that way it might look a bit weird when it's not finished yet...:P

Answer 6

Skin deep Darlington. but its a lot of work to be done hours, and a few sittings, depends what you get but cost at a guess from a few hundred to £2-3 thousand for a good full sleeve. think about it first draw any ideas down cut out pics you like words ect combine them together, do a draft drawing then have the artist look at it

Answer 7

hi sleeves look awesome wen theyre finnished. but they take many hours to complete which means lots of visits to the tattooist,they will do most of the outline first then you will go back to have it shaded/coloured which ever you like.

as for the design, i dont think theres any set pattern just have what you want, my dad has both sleeves theres so much stuff in them i cudnt name them all!

ask in your local area about tattoists go to some parlors and look at the work they do, i live in yorkshire and my dad gets his tattoos done by mick tomo at ruby arts in york. hes really good hes done cover ups for my dad and lots more like the sleeves. and thats where i went when i got my tattoo i had it done by a guest artist in the parlor and its still amazing. good luck

Answer 8

i have a half sleeve and it took nearly 4 hours, you'd need to do a full sleeve over a few sittings and i'd get a few smaller tattoo's first to get yourself used to it first.



also for designing, i would go to a highly regarded tattooist take some drawings,photos,etc of things you want in your sleeve and they should be able to draw something up for you (for a cost) the more details/idea's you can give them the better.

Answer 9

Just remember that a full sleeve will take hours and hours and cost a lot of money so you be prepared for a long slog, but mate it will be worth it they are hot!. Modern Body Art in Birmingham is awesome contact them and ask their advice they will do you a wicked design. Best of luck and go for it dont wimp out!

Answer 10

Tattoo Gallery, Lettering, Photos & More

Answer 11

My first tattoo was the start of my sleeve

if you want it go for it

who cares what the haters think lol

Answer 12

i think you should maybe get a small tattoo first somewhere. if you really like it and you decide to get a full sleeve you can go back to the tattoo artist you've already tried.

Answer 13

i would advise london ink if you wont the best quality of tattoo. if you have any ideas just go to london ink explain to them and they will draw up a desighn. im not saying tattoos are not painful they do hurt but go with what you wont its your body but defo go london ink xx x x good luck x x xx

Answer 14

Why would you want to spoil your whole arm with a tattoo? Think about it - I went to an evening event recently and 4 people could not go because they had tattoos.

Answer 15

is not to much If you really want it

so go for it

Answer 16

Think about your future career or lack there of before making your decision.