A Sense of Achievement . . .

[Roadkill]

No, nothing to do with work . . .

I've spent most of the day preparing another tattoo design to go "into ink".

As an artist I'm absolutely my own worst critic.

I used to constantly produce art (in several formats) only to return to them a short while after and dismiss them as poor attempts.

My own high standards really stopped me from producing anything more then tattoo designs over the last 10 years or so . . . and even many of them were panned and the ones that did make the cut subjected to vigorous re-work . . .

So I'm quite proud that I've actually almost finished another design and that I'm really very happy with it.
What's more is that it's totally different from all my other tattoos and pending designs.

My original idea came from a sketch I produced in tribute to Kenny Howard after his alter-ego's name* was taken and stamped on every piece of chav-clothing known to Britney Spears.
That design (now second on the current "next" list) was a sharper, more personal spin on his most famous work**.

After producing this and being happy with the result, I then decided (against all my previous work) that I'd next opt for a "standard" tattoo.  A standard Kuston Kulture tattoo in fact.
The plan was to pick a design and have it inked in it's standard, unchanged, format . . . .

So I went searching for designs . . . .

I was looking for an "8" ball, Rolling Dice or Falling Aces design . . . ***

Unfortunately, I didn't find anything I liked without modification so then dismissed the Idea . . . for a little while.

I then remembered the classic "Lady Luck"**** and the classic designs from the 40's and 50's.  Designs which still see many variants today.
The typical "lady luck" incorporates pretty much all of the criteria and covered additional themes, as well.

So I went looking for inspiration for a short time then scrapped that idea and returned to a sketch I'd had for a while.
This was the chassis and this begun a long process of additions and modifications to produce the 90% finished design I have now.
A design which covers the "Kustom" desire but one which also has a modern vibe to it as well.

I'm happy with the work . . . . . .

Now, when completed and redrawn one final time, it will be added to the "next" list and there it will sit, waiting for funding for it to take from the design to ink.

* Von Dutch
** The Flying Eyeball
*** All generally "Hot Rod" and associated with luck
**** Originally based on Fortuna, goddess who controls good and bad luck

[55starchief]

i guess that what i get for reading to the end without falling asleep

[Incursus]

I read to the end    did skip most of the middle though

[Roadkill]

Quoting: 55starchief

i guess that what i get for reading to the end without falling asleep

One word.  Virgin.








Ink Virgin, though, Or course.

[55starchief]

Quoting: Roadkill

nk Virgin, though, Or course

I donna mate i keep thinking about getting some ink just cant decide what

[Roadkill]

Quoting: 55starchief

cant decide what

That's virgin talk.

Beware, though, get one and you'll want another . . . . and another.

It's a passion.

Hence an Ink Virgin wouldn't understand my original post.

[F Body]

Quoting: Roadkill

waiting for funding for it to take from the design to ink.

I really hate my body but not enough to tattoo or pearce it, but just out of interest how much does a tattoo cost ?

[55starchief]

Quoting: Roadkill

That's virgin talk.

Well i do know who i want to do the work and i have a pretty good idea where i want it

[F Body]

Quoting: 55starchief

Well i do know who i want to do the work and i have a pretty good idea where i want it

Will a hammer and some rusty nails do

[FUBAR]

Quoting: F Body

Will a hammer and some rusty nails do

NIN

[Mustangus]

Quoting: FUBAR

NIN

Thats really confusing; I had a sticker of that on my mustangs dash board when I bought it. Mind you took it off pretty soon after buying it.

Always wanted a black coiled 'cobra' mustang snake with red eyes on my shoulder. Can never decide if its a good idea or not though...


Any pics of your design?

[Mustangus]

Also, who do you use for your tatoos?

[Roadkill]

Quoting: F Body

I really hate my body but not enough to tattoo or pearce it

My body started as a blank canvas.
The way I look at is if I drowned someplace and washed up on a beach somewhere I want to be instantly recognisible.
No questions asked.
Tattoo's are about individuality - which is why I HATE people who get the same ole' same ole' tats done . . Pointless.

Tattooing isn't about hating your body either, that's just a totally ignorant statement.

Quoting: F Body

just out of interest how much does a tattoo cost ?

ALL of mine are custom work so are done by the hour (£50-£60).

For example : My first tattoo was my Surname, on my left arm, it took about 4 hours in two hits - £185.
The next was the "dot poz" flames which occupy most of my right arm.
3 sittings - a total of 6 and a half hours - £300.
The latest, a statement arranged in Anglo-saxon runes, transcribed by myself and checked by a rune-master was just 40 minutes - Thankfully.
This was by far the most painful experience (physically) I've endured.
It worked out to be £45.

Tattooists charge a "set-up" fee so the minimum you'll pay is that.

It's unadvisable to have work exceeding 2-3 hours done in one hit . . . Your body will go into a mild shock and mentally you'll get VERY iritated.

Quoting: Mustangus

Can never decide if its a good idea or not though...

And most never do . . . Just try to be original . . . That's most of the battle.

Quoting: Mustangus

Also, who do you use for your tatoos?

Hilly, at Milton Keynes . . . Although I'm gonna "shop around" next time as the next couple are critical that they're spot-on.

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Mustangus

Any pics of your design?

Not yet . . I'll get it done first . . .

[Roadkill]

These are the Tat's i've already had done, BTW.





This one was added to by myself "In the chair"

[Roadkill]

This one currently ranks Third on the "next" list . .

[Mustangus]

Nice inscprition as you say, very important to be original.
Like the one on the to do list as well

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Mustangus

Like the one on the to do list as well

I've got about 9 more as well, but most require another final rework before they're ready.

It's one of my "winter" jobs to finalise at least 6 of them as most are relatively small, so cheap, meaning I could probably fit 3-4 in a 2 hour sitting.

[55starchief]

Im kinda thinking hotrod pinup some thing along the lines of this




or the other alternative would be this



I figure if im gonna doi it im gonna do it right

[Roadkill]

I prefer Coops Intake manifold sketch . . . There's some good piston tats out there . . . Quite common but easy to personalise.

[55starchief]

Quoting: Roadkill

I prefer Coops Intake manifold sketch

yeah although a little on the large side for uper arm, the sparkplug sketch from parts with appeal is also very cool. Only way i would have a coop design was if i could afford the original art work but that rocker is $2500

although i have just ordered this

http://www.pressureprinting.com/curious/curious_coop.htm

[Roadkill]

I saw a very simple but effective '49 Sled tattoo, once.

It lacked detail, but you instantly recognised it for what it was . . truly simple but effective.

I've looked, but can't find a piccy anywhere . . .

[55starchief]

Quoting: Roadkill

I saw a very simple but effective '49 Sled tattoo, once.

It lacked detail, but you instantly recognised it for what it was . . truly simple but effective.

I've looked, but can't find a piccy anywhere . . .

If and when i do go ahead its almost definatly going to be a pin-up after all this is one of the classic tattoo's which will never date

[Lusty Lass]

Sounds all a bit too painful to me! Never did understand S & M!!!

[55starchief]

Quoting: Lusty Lass

Never did understand S & M!!!

dont yopu mean M&S