Large tattoos like large chest and back tattoos or sleeves can be a little intimidating. We have a finite amount of skin to apply art to, so making sure you are going about it the right way will make the difference between just getting a tattoo and getting a tattoo that you love. Here at The Aloha Monkey, we know how important the work we do is for each individual that walks through our doors, so we want to help those in search of a large tattoo have the best experience possible.
Large Tattoos Require a Bit of Planning
Research is the most important part of getting any kind of large tattoos. Making sure you have seen healed work by the artist you are considering going to is vital. Getting a look at multiple works they have done in the past without filters and editing is going to make a big difference. In the world we live in today, there is a lot of enhancement on photos, so it’s easier to get really great photos of work that doesn’t look like that in person. Don’t get catfished by those Instagram images.
Most good artists will have a portfolio of both healed and fresh tattoos. Just about every tattoo looks good when it’s freshly done. The colors pop, nothing has had the chance to settle into the skin, the healing process hasn’t been able to alter anything into its final state. A tattoo can look completely different once it has had a chance to heal. You always want to see both before you sit in someone’s chair.
Personal references are actually one of the best ways to know for sure if an artist does a great job that will still look good after the healing process. It’s kind of like looking for a contractor. They could have tons of photos of their work, but with a little editing and the right angle, shotty work can look way better than it does in person, and the process to get there could have been a nightmare for the person they did the work for. Ask people how their experience was and check out the work they had done. It will help you avoid any headaches and buyer’s remorse.
This also brings us to the topic of reference photos and designing the tattoo. Perception is different for each individual person when verbally explaining designs. One person can picture a rock when they think of “strong” while another individual pictures thunder clouds. Two very different visuals based on the same description. So, reference photos are key to making sure that your design is going to fully encompass what you are wanting. Photos allow the artist to see the image that you have in your mind. The most visual references you have, the better.
Tattoo Sizing and Placement Make a Difference
Something that not everyone thinks of when getting a large piece is placement and direction. Many people have gotten smaller pieces here and there before going for a large tattoo. If you are going for an American traditional leg sleeve, but have a realism piece in the center of the calf you are thinking of putting the sleeve, you’d likely want to consider which leg you are putting it on to keep the whole thing coherent.
Tattooing is a respectable art form in its own right, so artists often want to make sure that what they are putting on someone’s body is going to flow, fit the body, and look like it’s one masterpiece. It’s also something to keep in mind if you are planning to do a large piece down the road but want one or two unrelated tattoos done before you jump into the large tattoo. Try to put them in areas that won’t interfere with your dream large tattoo that you aren’t ready to do just yet. You will thank yourself later.
Conformation and Design on Large Tattoos is Important
If you have found an artist that checks all the boxes through your research, you may be ready to book your consultation and get everything set up. However, you can have an artist that’s very good at one or two art styles that may not be comfortable doing what you are asking for. Many artists specialize in a niche, so if all of their art is realism and you go in asking for a large American traditional tattoo, the artist may end up turning you away. A good artist should be able to at least give you a recommendation for someone they know that can do what you want, but be ready for that possibility to arise.
Getting into more of the conformation of your design, there are quite literally endless ideas that can be put into a single piece of art. How much they will flow together in a large tattoo is a variable that isn’t always guaranteed. When bringing in your reference photos and going through a design consultation, the artist may suggest some design ideas. Try not to micromanage. Absolutely let them know if you aren’t a fan of the new idea, but trust that what they are doing is in the best interest of your desired design.
The body moves and we are far from a flat canvas to work on, so just because something looks great on paper doesn’t mean it will look good across a moving, round bicep. There’s a level of fluidity and a sense of motion that needs to be accomplished for a tattoo to appear as what it is on a body. Work with your artist to find common ground between the image you are trying to create and the design that will work with your body as a full, coherent artwork.
Tattoo Pricing - The Question That Doesn’t Actually Exist
With large tattoos, one of the questions artists hear all too often is “How much is x,y,z?” However, there’s never a good answer for this unless the artist knows exactly what they are doing on what part of the body and how large. It’s a question that is on most people’s minds, but is unable to be answered without in-depth knowledge of what is being asked of the artist.
The best analogy was brought up by one of our artists for this one. It would be like going to the store and asking the clerk “How much for a bag of groceries?” There’s thousands of different things that could be in that bag that would total up to an unprecedented amount of grand-totals. Are we getting name brands? Are we getting a few large items or a bunch of small items? It’s something that just can’t be answered without specific details. You can’t even really ballpark it because you could have $10 worth of bread filling it up or $300 worth of expensive spices.
Price should never be the first question you ask an artist, because we can’t answer that for you. Be patient, go through a free consultation so that they know if you are doing color, how large the tattoo will be, how detailed or filled in it will be and go from there. Trust the process.
If prices are an obstacle for you, your artist should be able to work with you on breaking your tattoo into several visits. Please don’t go with the cheapest artist just because you can’t afford a big chunk all at once. Remember, good tattoos aren’t cheap, and cheap tattoos notoriously aren’t good. You’ve got one body, so make sure what you put on it permanently is something of quality. Most large tattoos aren’t finished in one sitting, so it will likely be broken down into increments. Just ask your artist what the options are.
Be Ready For….
Alright, you found your artist, you looked at their portfolio, and you have all of your reference photos ready to go with your consultation set up. What’s next? There’s a couple of things to be ready for before you go into your appointment.
The first thing is making sure that you are ready to be sitting in their chair for a while. Small tattoos may take an hour or two to do, but obviously with a larger tattoo design, it’s going to be a lengthier process. Bring snacks and make sure you are staying hydrated throughout. Your body is going to need the extra support since it’s an activity that it’s going to be working through.
You and your artist can work together if you need breaks here and there. If you need to schedule an additional appointment because it’s getting too uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to let them know. This is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, not torture.
Be prepared to have a partially finished piece for a while. Most artists will schedule out each appointment based on how long they expect the piece to take. So, trust the process and don’t expect to come out of it with a fully finished full back tattoo on the first trip. You will likely have lines and maybe some shading done. It’s a journey, not a race.
Large Tattoos at The Aloha Monkey
The Aloha Monkey is always focused on providing the best experience for our clients, and we always hope that other artists and shops are holding that same standard. If you are thinking of getting a large tattoo like a sleeve, chest, or back piece, we are always open to sitting down for a consultation to see if we can bring your vision to life.
Josh Arment also happens to be the best Japanese American Traditional tattoo artist in the midwest. So, if you are looking for a large work focused on Japanese art, we highly recommend his artistic talents for your next piece. He was trained under one of the best artists that tattooing has known, Mike Malone, and has a versatile skill set from continuously studying and working on his craft. Not into Japanese-style art? Josh has a remarkable knack for large scale tattooing. When it comes to large works, his training was highly focused on what fits the body and flows with the movement of the human form to correctly encompass a large section of skin. Whether it’s black and gray or fully colored, he has the ability to do just about anything that makes a good timeless tattoo.
Whatever you decide to do for your large tattoo, just make sure you are putting in the research and getting it done right. Tattoos that cover a quarter of your body are something that should never end in buyers remorse. Have some fun with it!