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Thread: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

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    Default Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    How can I find a great tat artist? When I got my first one I just looked in the yellow pages and found a guy who had been tattooing for 30 years. Went down the shop, picked out the tat I wanted, he drew it and I went to go get cash. 1.5 hours later and a lot of sweating and pain there it was.

    This time I want to add on and cover up some parts of my tat to create an even better and bigger one. I want it to look really nice with some nice detailing in the background of the tat.

    What are some key things I need to tell the artist? I also really don't want to waste anyones time. There's like a million shops here in SD...I don't know where to start. If anyone in the area has any rec's let me know.
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    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    See, the inherent problem in asking that, is that everyone is partial and everyone thinks "their guy" is the best. Well, of course, it depends!!!

    1.) Tattoo artists have specialties, usually. Black/white, old-school tats, 'tribal,' ethnic-style tattoos (japanese, pacific island, chinese, etc.) or certain things they like to do. Some are good at pin-up, some better in color.
    2.) Just because someone says "so-and-so" is good, doesn't mean they are good for what YOU want.
    3.) What DO you want??? How many hrs are you expecting? Color? Space? Willing to travel??? If so... I think you should give MY studio a call.... why??? Because there are 4 different artists who all specialize in different things... My artist is Tom Berg (yes, who did the Prison Break tattoo... I've posted about him before.... but EVERYone there is magnificent)... their website is www.socaltattoo.com, and they are in San Pedro. If you're willing to drive, and only looking for a few hrs worth of work, it'd TOTALLy be worth it. Their portfolios speak for themselves. If you give the studio a call and explain what you want done, they can tailor the artist to your needs.

    The studio is friendly, clean, laid-back, featured in a million and one magazines, and they are artists... not your everyday tat shop.

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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    I know a few dudes I would co-sign. I've been thinking about doing stuff but with my skin, nothing i want would come out too visible. Every artist I've seen has told me the same story. There are some disadvantages to being so chocolaty.

    Here in PB especially, there is a tattoo shop almost every block. I don't even understand. I can't walk to get a decent bit of Chinese food, but I could walk to 5 tattoo parlors easily.

    I have a lot of friends with tats, various styles and almost all of them are pretty hardcore devoted one artist. I will say avoid the ones near the bases. When I went looking, they gave me the most bullshit because they are used to getting the easy money from the new Sailors and Marines in town, as I was at the time.

    The Church of Steel downtown does some good cover-up work, but their artists aren't the best for originals. They do great piercings though.

    I took Rene up to So Cal Tattoo as Miss Embyr mentions. He had his stuff done by Alfredo.

    From what I've seen and from asking the people present here right now, Avalon in PB seems to have one of the best reputations in the city for non-military tattoos. They have a ton of artists and they do really nice and colorful stuff.

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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    Thanks for the advice guys. Now, I can have some sort of starting point as to who and where. Yea, I just want it to take a few hours or less.

    How much do you think I can expect to pay for this new one? It'll probably be about 10x10 when its done.
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



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    God/dess Corgan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    be careful who you pick.

    i have a skull and crossbones on my left wrist that i just loathe... and am in the process of removing.

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    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    Quote Originally Posted by TigersMilk View Post
    Thanks for the advice guys. Now, I can have some sort of starting point as to who and where. Yea, I just want it to take a few hours or less.

    How much do you think I can expect to pay for this new one? It'll probably be about 10x10 when its done.
    again, it depends where you go, what the artist's rate & rep is, how intricate the design, color or b/w. 10x10 is.. well... more than just a few hrs.

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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    Ah oh well I was hoping for a round about price gauge. I already have a 5x5 tat but really just adding more to it and making it bigger in the end. It seems so simple in my head.
    Here's a pic:
    Last edited by TigersMilk; 10-01-2008 at 07:56 PM.
    you live like an ivy vine
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    that's your flaw
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    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    my backpiece, which is really a narrow spine-piece + stuff to the side, is 2400, & 16 hrs. of course... it's tom berg, who is VERY expensive... but cheap ink is not worth it to me. i'll bargain with most things... for a tattoo, i'm going with the highest quality i can get.

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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    Like the same idea with plastic surgery. Getting the best you can is pretty much a good path to go. Didn't you have a pic of your tat on here somewhere?
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



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    God/dess Susan-Va's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    Prices are going to vary depending on the artist, where you're located, size and location of the tattoo. The only one who can really anwser this for you is the tattoo artist. I always get asked how much would such-n-such cost since my husband tattoos. I don't know, not what I do.

    Find someone that you're comfortable with. Check references, look at their portfolios.

    Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good.

  11. #11
    Lola Rose
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    Default Re: Finding the perfect tattoo artist

    yep..... and better tats (realistic shading, brilliant colors) take a lot more time then regular old flash style stuff, and are way more pricey.

    I can't really give you advice b/c i'm so far,, but ask everyone you see who has a tat you like if it's local, and who their artist is.

    i think you'll get a lot of repeat answers.

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