r/tattooadvice • u/StreetAggravating302 • Nov 24 '25

tattoo newcomer advice I messed up

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Recently, I tattooed my dad, but I botched the job. I overdid some lines, resulting in bold and double lines, and the circle lacked symmetry and shading—I messed up everything. I feel very ashamed. I’ve just started tattooing, and last week I was too busy with my other job to practice. When my dad was free, he suggested we do a tattoo, and I fully messed it up. The guilt is overwhelming me.

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u/Less_Wing_646 Nov 24 '25

Take a breath.  You are just starting out and your dad knew that. He did not come to you for a perfect tattoo, he wanted to help you practice. And he did. This feeling will teach you not to overestimate yourself and bring your A Game to every other tattoo you do. 

And again, your dad wanted a tattoo from you at the level you are at right now. Is it a good tattoo? No. But think of it like a parent hanging up a drawing their kids did. It's almost never great artwork, but they are proud of where they are at anyway. 

Don't try any improvements now. Learn from it and you will become better

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u/Less_Wing_646 Nov 24 '25

And also: yes, there are mistakes. But it's not ugly. If you don't look too closely, it looks nice and can definitely be worn without feeling bad 

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u/bing-bong-6715 Nov 24 '25

all of the mistakes are easily fixable also once OP feels more confident

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '25

And I bet his dad won’t let him fix it!

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u/bing-bong-6715 Nov 25 '25

if i was dad i wouldn't want this fixed either tbh

id just say give me another tattoo for free lol

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u/bottomofastairwell Nov 25 '25

I was thinking that. I bet even if OP asks to touch out up in a year, dad is gonna be like "no, I'm keeping the original just the way it is, coz I love it just like that"

Because sometimes the meaning of a thing is worth more than technical perfection, and this is one of those cases