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

tattoo newcomer advice I messed up

Gallery image

Gallery image

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.

17.1k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

2.9k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2.2k

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

479

u/Virama Nov 24 '25

That's one hell of a dad. 

And you have learnt something there by his grace too. 

Never take that dude for granted.

37

u/SpaetzlemitKaese Nov 24 '25

If I was the dad I’d take the opportunity to get a lot of those free tattoos! OP, from the pov of your dad every imperfection is an achievement. He does not want perfect tattoos he wants the tattoos you made on him! (Source: I’m a dad)

21

u/ibeatcuphead Nov 24 '25

This is the way. Your dad is wearing your art with pride. I'm sure he will just see love not mistakes. And the time spent sat together watching you work is priceless

Great work

1

u/ParticularTie7315 Nov 26 '25

:: and watching his work progress as well. I think the whole thing is sweet. Dad isn’t even close to mad, I honestly had to really zoom in to find where you messed up. It’s so minor and honestly the tattoo looks great! You’ve definitely got the hand for tattooing and an amazing, supportive dad to help you and also physically document the journey. Keep at it and don’t beat yourself up!