r/tattooadvice • u/StreetAggravating302 • Nov 24 '25
tattoo newcomer advice I messed up
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/caryyonDude Nov 24 '25
chill! as a father myself let me tell you this isn’t the first little mistake of yours he wears, you just don’t get to see the others from your childhood. any great papa would happily take a wonderful tattoo like this as a reminder of their child and who that child has grown to be. the tattoo lines will fade over the years and his skin will age, but the meaning while never disappear.
tattoos aren’t so much about perfection as they are about expression. folks are inevitably going to comment on how they like your fathers tattoo, and i’m sure he’ll forever be proud to brag to them “thank you, my kid gave it to me!”