Sad story

So I was having a sleeve designed by a very competent artist and I had worked with him on the design for a few months, mostly through email. I finally got to see the design first hand and it was not what I imagined, all the things we had talked about seemed to be almost ignored. I was very disappointed, and I told him so. In the end we decided to part ways. He kept the deposit and I gave him a bit more money for his time. I guess the moral of the story is don’t be shy about telling the artist EXACTLY what you want and look look look at the portfolio to make sure they can do what they say. Your idea of old school and their idea of old school might not be the same. I feel really bad, like I wasted his time but he and I agreed that I would end up unhappy if he did the work. He is a great artist just not the right fit for me.

Hi Molly, sorry to hear of your expierence but thanks for sharing it as it's a good example of what some of us try to explain to people. Aside from the fact not all artist are equally gifted or dedicated, nowadays there are so many 'styles' of tattooing and not everyone even agrees on WHAT that style even is (or even what to call it- I don't and I've been tattooing for nearly 42 years) Obviously I can't comment much, as I have no idea what you wanted, but I always advise people to have the artist draw the design up first, really check that out before getting something you are not pleaded with- DON'T 'Settle' and at least, you're only out the art fee (rather than stuck with something you do not want) Perhaps you could tell us what you have in mind and someone on this forum could possibly refer you to someone.

I had a similar experience, but with a different dissappointing end. I collaborated with my artist for about three months as well, and even though the design he came up with wasn't exactly as I described it to him, after waiting months for an appointment. I decided to go with it anyway, on BOTH legs. I was obsessed with getting these tats, and it's all I thought about for nearly half a year. Once the outlines were in place, I realized that his design was actually better than what I had described to him, and it began to really grow on me (literally) after several weeks. Now, after 20 hours of work over 2 months, the pieces are still incomplete because my body isn't healing properly. The most recent healing work looks so horrible and has been so painful, that by the time it does completely heal, I'm likely to just forget the whole thing. Good luck TCE

Thanks Doc, I already have another artist in mind but thank you for offering the help in finding some one. This is the most important of all my work so I want it perfect. Not only is it going to be big (a full sleeve) but I have had it in my head for so long. It is going to be my life (so far) all my missed opportunities and my mistakes (because of drugs and bad choices), where I came from and where I want to go. Each element is a little chapter or person that has effected me for good or bad that I want to remember.