Tattoo don't work!?

Question

I'm trying to come up with some interesting ideas for a tattoo that I'd like to get (on my left shoulder blade), but I don't know how to make the design "flow" with the shape of my body.
Can anyone suggest a design element or design to use on a shoulder?

Answer 1

This is one of the things that sitting down with the artist beforehand - and creating a sketch together - will help immensely with...

Of course, you have to have some idea what you would like to have (and NOT have) ;););)

Answer 2

Part of a tattoo artist's job is to make the design "flow." Find a good artist, and go have a chat with them. You'll be able to express your ideas to them, and even if you have a sketch that won't work, they can help make it into a sketch that will.

Answer 3

Unless you know EXACTLY what you want, and nothing else will do, you will be much better off letting the tattoo artist have some freedom.

When I went for my first tattoo a few months ago, I took a drawing of the tattoo I wanted: http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/dochudson357/SquareCompassesPattern.gif

But I didn't tell the artist "Do this and nothing else." I let him have some artistic freeway and the tattoo turned out much better than the original drawing:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f173/dochudson357/SquareandCompasses.jpg

Doc

Answer 4

Only a fairly generic answer that you might already know about - that is, the artist.

I suck when it comes to specifics and layout, but I can get general ideas. My artist then takes those and runs with them, and *poof*, none of my stupid thoughts see the light - only her interpretation needing my rubber stamp.

Apologies if this has already occurred to you, but the artist you go to is often the best one to answer this. If their general style is something you like, you probably won't go wrong.

Best of luck to you.