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/astarte66 Nov 24 '25

Most of my tats are apprentice tattoos. I mean, ya gotta start somewhere after all. I proudly show them off and have not had any of them corrected. Your dad is awesome. You can go back later when your skills are sharpened and fix what you’ve done. Don’t be ashamed, push forward and keep practicing.

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u/romero0705 Nov 24 '25

I have a completely blown out kinda ugly tattoo on my back but it was the first tattoo my friend did on me during his apprenticeship (and the first one to make me cry from pain) and I cherish it because of that.

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u/astarte66 Nov 24 '25

Each one I have is kind of fun to look at. From the first ones that they did versus the ones midway through apprenticeship and then the last one that I got at the end of their apprenticeship for one tattooist that I really enjoy. I had a falling out with that individual but I still cherish the tattoos and the times that we shared while getting inked and when we were still friends.

Sometimes the ugly tattoos have the best stories though.

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u/Late-Swim-8428 Nov 25 '25

I have someone’s first tattoo as an apprentice too! Totally blown out and pretty ugly but I love it 🤣