Artistic control?

Question

A question for those inked: how much of your work is something you more directly control, and how much do you just let the artist go on?

I ask as I've heard two schools of thought. One is that some people have a precise idea of what they want, and don't want to vary at all. Another, seemingly more common, is to give the artist an idea of what you're looking for and trusting their artistic vision. The former is still with some commentary from the artist, while the latter is with the okay of the inked (that is, no surprises).

There is no real "right" answer to a question like this; I'm mostly just curious.

My own answer in a followup.

In my case, I come up with the basic idea & request that the artist take it from there. "Don't let me do anything stupid" is my common refrain; I have all the artistic ability of Harvey Pekar (ie, stick figure drawing).

Even if I could draw, I wouldn't. Sketching out a picture on paper is nothing at all like tattooing skin, knowing how a person's physiology displays art, etc. My artist once had a client come in with specific art she wanted done, but although the client was an artist she wasn't a tattoo artist - the piece just wouldn't have worked is the impression I got. It's more an issue with big pieces, it appears, and something small won't cause as much consternation. That my letting go & trusting in my artist's skill seems to make her happy as well, and that's a good thing.

Forgot to add, for artists - what do you prefer? Do you like a precise requests, or being allowed freedom to make it better?

I probably don't need to state so, but... I definitely am involved in the design & final thumbs up/down, I just don't micromanage the process. I know art when I see it, and I see what's being put on my skin before it goes. However, "make the dragon-koi sort of gold with red highlights" doesn't translate into me telling my artist how to do the shading & color balance.

Answer 1

I also have no talent when it comes to drawing, I can see it in my head, but when I try to put it on paper, it just kinda looks like a scibble. I'm lucky in that my artist can take my somewhat vauge requests and a few pictures which look nothing like what I want and draw exactly what I want. (Some times a few changes are needed, but not often) He's an amazing artist, and I trust his judgement. He only does custom work, the only flash in the shop is for ideas, you can't find it on the wall and have it tattooed on you.

Answer 2

I went in with a picture and an exact idea of what I wanted, the only thing I didn't specify was the exact size. I was pissed that he didn't use a stencil so I could make sure it was perfect and I was even more pissed when he changed the stem ever so slightly. Then when he didn't even give me a chance to tell him how I wanted the script I was on the verge of having a panic attack. I imagined my tattoo different then it turned out and I still am not thrilled with it. I would like to get the words fixed into banners like I wanted but I don't know if it's possible. I guess I'm just a perfectionist/control freak. My friend went in the same day/with me, and she went first. She let him have complete control, all she did was pick a flash flower off the wall and tell him she liked it, he changed it to flow with her body and made it much bigger, he didn't even let her see it either, he turned the chair around and let me see it and I said it was perfect, so he asked her if she trusted us and when she said yes he started tattooing. I can't handle that stuff. I want a stencil and I want to see exactly what is going on my skin next time. Sorry for the novel!

Answer 3

I have three tattoos...All of them I have let the artist control...mostly because I was checkin out the tattoo places in my area...I am only really happy with one of them becuase I had some input on the colors...I am in the process of having my next one drawn up...My very own original idea...I think that if you want a tattoo to express you as who you are you should have alot of input on them. I've gotten to the point that if it's my idea I will be there when its drawn or when work is done on it...I am not an artist, but I have an idea of what I want it to look like so I am sure to make it so that I actually end up with something that is totally all me...Alot of tattoo artists are fond of thier work and will throw in ideas, this helps, but you always have the option of shooting down their ideas, I was fortunate enough to find an artist that likes my idea as much as me...Now I just have to come up with the cash. Really I just think that if you get a tattoo it should reflect who you are and if you are along for the work, to hear suggestions, but not act on them only becuase the artist likes them, but also because you do is very important, because then you will truly appreciate the end result.

Answer 4

I brought in a sketch of what I wanted and then had my artist tweak it to be something that would look good on skin....my mom drew the original sketch and then my artist altered it because the original design wasn't possible with a tattoo. So my tattoo is a quick 5 minute sketch of my daughter's picture....

There's no right answer with this question...I think it's good to have ideas and trust where your artist goes with it. They are your tattoo artist for a reason.

Answer 5

I only have one tattoo, and although I knew what I wanted, I really had no idea about the process. I told the artist what I wanted, a picture of the general shape, and the colors I wanted. He drew up the rest, and I love it. (It's a butterfly, so fairly simple). I can't draw worth a crap, so I had to rely on him.
I will still probably let the artist have freedom for my next one, but I will be better able to explain what the hell I want, now that I've been through it once. I will be better prepared. I have no artistic ability whatsoever, so I have to rely on them to draw it for me lol.

Answer 6

My tattoos are very specific in nature, and I had a very clear and presentable idea of what I wanted before any needle touched my skin...

However, in my case, all my tattoos (five of em) are symbols, and by their nature, are very specific in design...

My five tattoos are the Tree of Life, and Ankh, a Caduceus, and the astrological symbols for the sun and moon....

In all of these cases, I found the symbol first, identified with its energy, and decided to adopt it onto my body...

There isn't much art here, other than "artistic license" involved in the actual design (shading, use of color, etc...)

I don't think I would want someone elses impression of a symbol on my body. Not that there is anything wrong with one version over another, its simply because its my body, and I want my tattoos to reflect my personal view of the symbol.

Answer 7

Artist! Key word of my observance when inked. There are 3 tatoos. The first was guided by the artist totally. The other two took 2 years to conceive and develop. It was the artist who choose the color and outlining to ink. They are perculiar when asked to select. Don't be a mouse and be afraid. Even if you control the idea the arstist is always in total control.

Answer 8

I like his input. My second set of tattoos he created - I just gave him an idea of what I wanted. The last one, I had drawings of an idea then he drew it up for me. When it came to going around the bird on my shoulder, I just had to trust him on that as it wasn't predrawn out - he freehanded that. I loved how he did it. It's a work in progress, so much of the rest of it I am going to let him run with it.....

Answer 9

i told my ideas and let him do the rest. my 1st was on my shoulder and i went in wanting all black and a bout the size of my thumb. I cam e out with a cross the size of my hand and lots of color, it is beautiful....ive gotten thousands of compliments because it is one of a kind....
2nd is on my lower left stomach and is three orchids with the symbol for truth in the middle. i wanted something to remind me to stay true to my self and no one else. he came up with a beautiful design and it has been covered up since i got it due to the cold weather but i cant wait til bikini season so i can show it off.

the guy who does mine is defanitely a great artist and i wanted him to be able to show off his talent. anyone can trace a stencil, i have very unique tattooes that i know no one will ever have.

Answer 10

I told the artist what I wanted, gave him a picture and he freehand the rest and I have the best tat on my shoulder. I am looking to get another one, but have not picked a location or the tat yet. I love cats.