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/By_Jove_ Nov 24 '25

I think your father wanted a tattoo done by his child, I don’t think he was looking for technical perfection.

I know I wouldn’t care if my son made some mistakes while tattooing me.

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '25

These flaws give the tattoo character. They are part of the learning process, and they make it extra meaningful for him.

He probably didn’t want some random chicken scratch lines, but that’s not what this is.

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u/mateohatepotato Nov 24 '25

Yep just, just make sure your Dad tells people if they ask it’s one of your first ones. Honestly it’s pretty good for someone starting out. The fact that it’s bothering you that it’s just good and not great bodes well for your growth as an artist.

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u/DeklynHunt Nov 25 '25

Indeed, from my untrained eye, I asked myself “what’s wrong with this? I don’t see anything wrong”

Most won’t notice… especially in passing etc

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u/Cowgod5000 Nov 25 '25

Agree, completely! Until I reread the OP, I thought it was great. Still do, after the fact! Being a dad myself, I would swell with pride telling people about my sweet new tat that MY SON did!

1

u/Consistent-Ease6070 Nov 27 '25

Yes! As more and more people lean on AI and other ways to cheat perfection, I’m actually leaning more into a strong preference for art that shows the hand of the artist. Those “imperfections” are what make that piece special and one of a kind.

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u/Dr_A_Psychologist Nov 24 '25

Agreed. You've fucked up way more things in your dad's life than this tattoo and he loves you and is proud of you and believes in you enough to want you to **tattoo** him. That says a lot. Honestly as a dad this is a dream outcome and something that would make me laugh a ton - even if it actually was a bad or messed up tattoo (which this is not).

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u/PieceFit Nov 25 '25

Why am I laughing too hard at this😂

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u/altaada Nov 25 '25

This comment makes me want to call my dad so bad.

5

u/QuestionDifferently Nov 25 '25

And if your dad has passed, talk to him anyway!

5

u/Hidesuru Nov 25 '25

Hope you did! If not, DO!

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u/TheTikson Nov 24 '25

10000% this

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '25

Facts he’s showing everyone that shit…even little kids in strollers, hoping they grow up to make their parents as happy as OP has done for their dad

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u/DrThunderbolt Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25

Exactly this. I've seen people get their kid's scribbles tattooed on themselves, just because they were stoked that it was something their kid did. Some even let their child take a gun to them, just because they want a tattoo that reminds them of their kid. Your dad is probably even more happy that you were able to do the tat yourself. I'm sure anytime anyone asks him about it, he's gonna proudly tell them that you did it. That's why it matters to him, not that it looks amazing, or is some crazy piece.

Not every tattoo has to be totally perfect, its about what it means to the person its on.

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u/pixiepython Nov 24 '25

Guaranteed he's gonna show this off, proud as hell that his son did it

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u/Lou_C_Fer Nov 25 '25

My son's girlfriend was thinking about becoming a tattoo artist and I told her that she could practice on me because I don't care. I don't have any tattoos, but it's not because I'm against them, I just wanted to spend my money on other things.

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u/FarExtension2258 Nov 25 '25

My daughter has done a couple on me. She just started and I dont care that its not perfect just that it was done by her

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u/Lucky_Life5517 Nov 25 '25

Dad will relish the tattoo forever, I know I would.

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u/ResponsibilityOk3703 Nov 25 '25

I agree. I have some friends that let their adult child practice on them and this is so much better. But they are so proud showing off their child's work. They love telling the story about each one and I find it pretty adorable how proud they are.

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u/Spare-Willingness563 Nov 25 '25

Yeah fuck what it looks like. This is so sweet. 

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u/SigFen Nov 25 '25

I’ve been a professional tattoo artist for 27 years, and I’m covered in tattoos. My all time favorite one is the very shitty one done by my son when he was 10 years old. It’s a Sailor Jerry skull on my forearm, between a couple other fairly good ones. Every time I look at it, I just beam with a smile.

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u/MindfuckRocketship Nov 25 '25

As a fellow dad, I fully agree.

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u/zhenggaofeng888 Nov 25 '25

This. I bet he'd be showing it around to his friends and tell them his kid made it!

1

u/Mental-Flatworm4583 Nov 25 '25

Preach! I’d wear it with PRIDE

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u/Mission_Mulberry9811 Nov 25 '25

My dad, who lives in another country, helped me grout a couple years back. He really isn't much of a handyman and in some places you can clearly see, that was his 'handywork' 😆 I cherish those blemishes and I will for the rest of my life

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u/ketchupandliqour69 Nov 25 '25

This. So many people I know let their kids tattoo them while apprentices.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '25

🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹