Tattooers with Drawing/Design Consultations

Submitted by Ruin-Much t3_125yxcq in pittsburgh

Can anyone recommend a tattoo shop or individual tattooer in the Pittsburgh area that allows you to see and make revisions to the design BEFORE the day of the appointment? I understand most tatooers want clients to ‘trust the process,’ and I get that. With that being said, I am looking at having a pet memorial piece, and it’s important for me that the design matches my pet’s likeness. I want to be very thoughtful and provide feedback, which may mean going back and forth a couple times… it seems that tattooers don’t like doing that. Would it be better etiquette to hire an illustrator or graphic designer to make the drawing, then find a tattooer to translate it to skin?

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[deleted] t1_je6v1dr wrote

Have you tried offering to pay for the additional consultations? You're asking for services beyond what most artists would typically offer, and I am betting that most want to nope out when they hear about the possibility of multiple rounds of revisions. I think your ask is totally reasonable as long as you're compensating them for the extra time.

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Ruin-Much OP t1_je71fh4 wrote

Good idea, I’ll try to lead with that.

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PghBeer t1_je6sxd3 wrote

I get what you're saying, but if you find a solid portrait artist, this won't be an issue so long as you provide a high quality photo of your pet and exactly what you want in the tattoo. A great portrait artist isn't going to screw it up.

Wish I could better answer your question, but all great artists I know don't do it this way. They're too busy and too talented. My advice is to spend the time finding the right artist, even if it isn't local.

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thecrowfly t1_je6xsk2 wrote

Agreed - don't limit yourself to local folks. I often travel for tattoos.

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SpecialKayla t1_je7numr wrote

I work at a tattoo shop. You pay a deposit to compensate the artist for the drawing time in case you no show, so that also means anytime a client wants to see their art beforehand we send it.

And no don't hire an illustrator. The tattoo artist will most likely have to make changes because an illustration doesn't mean it'll translate to skin.

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deathofelysium t1_je7k6yo wrote

Check out lu_skywalker on instagram. He can do photorealistic work quite well, and does some really rad color blocking and shading in all of his tattoos. He’s also pretty good with revisions before the appointment. I’ve always gotten sketches a few days before the appointment.

I will say, paying additional as another poster suggested is also a good bet. Tattooers work a ton if they’re good, and extra revisions are time they’re not tattooing.

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kaitb1103 t1_jed2pkg wrote

So as someone who works with my artist regularly- there’s a reason they don’t do this normally.

They don’t send pics because they don’t want you taking their work to another shop. That’s time and money they’ve put into the work.

Usually they’re absolutely happy to work with you in design in person day of.

Personally- my regular artist is Kristen at Kindred Spirits Tattoo in Garfield. She’s absolutely amazing and has done a pet memorial tattoo for me before. A toy poodle named Angel to be exact. She did a stellar job and she’s so dang life like, it’s like her photo is on my arm!

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Cooch98 t1_jea82ps wrote

Depending on the size and detail, my girlfriend does tattoos as a hobby on the side. She does stick and poke but with all the correct materials and cleanness. So she could do it, only thing is it will take a longer. But would be cheaper than going to a tattoo shop. Let me know if interested.

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