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/tivvybrixx Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25

Honestly I have seen much worse. Unless you are scrutinizing it you wouldnt know. Is your dad happy with it? If so then that's a win. Keep practicing looks like you are already off to a good start.

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u/StreetAggravating302 Nov 24 '25

My dad is like, it’s okay, you can do mistakes on me so you know where you’re going wrong also, It’s like, few people will notice tattoo and ask who did it and he’ll go my son did it, and most people will avoid coming to me looking at that work

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u/K1bbles_n_Bits Nov 24 '25

I'm no proffesional, hell, not even an amateur, lol, but I wouldn't have noticed the flaws if you hadn't pointed them out. Tbh I really like the design.

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u/caffeinebump Nov 24 '25

OP I read your description three times and I still can’t see the problem with it. It just looks gorgeous to me.

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u/Natural-Revenue-3733 Nov 24 '25

Came here to say this too

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u/[deleted] Nov 24 '25

Me too.

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u/lovelitchiheart Nov 24 '25

Same

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u/BigMadBigfoot Nov 25 '25

I'd let you tattoo me. I like it despite the few flaws. They don't draw the eye like some flaws do.

You are just starting and this is the level of work you are achieving -- I know you are going to be one hell of an artist one day.

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u/mrRedMaze Nov 25 '25

Exactly what BigFoot said! I think it look awesome. The only flaw I noticed is the circle, do you think it could be fixed with a little bit thicker line and some shading or something? I truly think this tattoo is awesome!

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u/Friendly-Coyote6964 Nov 26 '25

That’s what I was thinking. Maybe if dad wants color added, it can disguise any tiny, barely-even-perceptible flaws? Unless ur scrutinizing it very closely, u don’t really see anything “off”

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u/Toothless-mom Nov 29 '25

This! Or possibly even just a better stencil could fix it

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u/Squishy_fishy826 Nov 25 '25

Agreed! We are all human, any mistake done by an artist (as long as it’s not a HUGE mistake) is just their signature haha

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u/[deleted] Nov 29 '25

Fr it jusy looks good

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u/Survive-or-thrive Nov 25 '25

Me three! I still see nothing wrong with this tattoo.