My First Tattoo

Jane bought me a tattoo kit for my birthday :) It came with everything I need to start practicing tattoo art, including 4 machines, 40 different inks, a variety of outline and shading needles, and all the bits and bobs required to set up the machine. It only came with one practice skin, but I've bought a few more synthetic skins to practice on. 

I read a warning not to use Chinese inks on your skin, because they can contain all sorts of harmful additives like lead and arsenic. So I haven't been tempted to try it out on myself at all. Once I'm happy with my level of talent, I'll pick up a better quality machine with professional inks and needles, etc, to have a go on myself and anyone else who's game.

                           So here I go...

 

I haven't finished the dragon yet. I outlined it once with a thin needle (3R), but then re-outlined it with thicker lines (7R). I have also begun shading, and begun the scales. I started doing some free-hand designs on the back, just to get a feel for the machine...

And had a go at shading, using a single needle (which proved trickier than I thought it would be)...

After an hour or so, my hand was pretty sore. Need to develop some more muscles to hold the machine in the right position and get the lines more accurate. But I think this is going to be a fun journey :)

Peace

When a friend of mine asked for a peace sign tattoo, this image and this bible verse came into my mind: "And He will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war." Micah 4:3.

See if you can pick the guns included here.

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Dragon and Rose

 

Chris Summertime, 2010. Copied from a Chris Garver design.

Chris Summertime, 2010. Copied from a Chris Garver design.

Koi Fish

(c) Chris Summertime 2010

This koi was the first tattoo design that I drew. I used a few photos of koi tattoos and other drawings as references to come up with this original composition.

Traditionally, Japanese tattoos of koi fish are accompanied by waves violently engulfing the fish - a symbol of perseverance, as koi fish can fight their way up a waterfall to the top. However, whenever I have seen koi fish in real life, they are usually calmly swimming in shallow ponds, thus why I have chosen a calmer, more serene background for the fish.

The cherry blossoms (another traditional Japanese symbol) are scattered around the fish as a reminder of how momentary and fragile life is. Cherry blossom flowers bloom early in the spring, before even the leaves grow, and only last a very short time before they fall to the ground. A momentary glimpse of beauty, while magnificently serving its purpose in its brief life.

LA Claddagh

(c) Chris Summertime 2010

This is an original design of mine, based on the Irish Claddagh. Traditionally, the Claddagh's distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).

The hands are inspired by Kat Von D's own tattoos, and I borrowed the idea of the broken and bruised heart from another picture I saw.

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If you're just passing through, I invite you to check out a few of my other designs and drawings:

Tigers

Gypsy Lady