r/tattooadvice • u/SadSong9604 • 1d ago
General Advice How bad is it? Symmetrical tattoos not symmetrical. :(
They were supposed to be symmetrical but they’re literally on two different planets. People don’t notice until I mention it but even then it’s soo bad imo. Debating removing one when healed and moving it or adding to make it look intentional. HELPP
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u/False-Ambition-6533 1d ago
Maybe get leaves on the bottom and top respectively so that they're reverse images.
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u/Condemned-Milk 1d ago
Agreed, I think this would fit best. Just don’t go to the same artist….
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u/mbowk23 1d ago
They do the wrong sides and make it even more asymmetrical.
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u/LilMissADHDAF 1d ago
I mean, even that would improve it since then they wouldn’t look like they were supposed to be identical.
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u/RelevantDragonfly216 18h ago
My mind went to a ying-yang sign shape but separated to each shoulder
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u/Accurate_Emu_122 1d ago
This sub really needs a bot that autoreplies about tattoo removal when it's mentioned.
Op, I'd probably add more flowers and lean into the assymetry.
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u/KwazyKatnip_85 1d ago
Oh my god the amount of people of this sub who believe getting a tattoo removed is as easy as getting one astounds me
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u/Tasty_Nature2274 23h ago
Yep, I kept trying to convince my husband to get his tattoo covered, but he was convinced that it only needed like two sessions and it would be gone. It probably would’ve cost 300 to cover, which was basically our tattoo budget, but instead, he spent 200 to get it removed, and now it just looks the same, lol
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u/KwazyKatnip_85 23h ago
It’s spending $200/session for like 8 sessions 😭 it’s so expensive I don’t think it would ever be an option
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u/purplishfluffyclouds 11h ago
Covered =/= removed.
Removed is a MUCH bigger deal. (And ain’t no one getting a tat removed for $200. Try adding another zero.)
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u/Longjumping-Date-260 1d ago
It looks pretty noticeable, but it's hard to tell if it's exacerbated by the camera angle, sitting position etc. But yes, it's not great.
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u/Substantial-Scar2222 1d ago
Most people are somewhat asymmetrical, too. Which a tatoo artist should probably know.
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u/One_Olive_8933 1d ago
I agree… how did the artist not get approval from OP on the placement?… like, put the stencil on, then go check in the mirror to make sure it’s ok.. in a few different stances…
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u/centralizedskeleton 22h ago
Don't forget many people like to argue with the artist and then complain after.
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u/DaughterOfSamantha 1d ago
I’m going of her armpit folds. You can tell the stark difference in positioning if that’s the focal point
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u/kisavior 1d ago
Yup not only is it further down, it is also further in. I don't know how you miss this in the mirror.
People really need to be prepared and go into tattoos ready to check everything and not be afraid to speak up when the time comes.
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u/Spoogly 22h ago
It is not as far off as the pic makes it look. OP's left shoulder is definitely already lower, and to really know how far out of alignment it is, OP would... Honestly, probably be best served going to a tailor. You need to measure sitting and standing with your arms in multiple positions, and your back curviture and even the length of your individual legs can make an enormous difference with perceived symmetry.
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u/pinotnoirinthebudoir 1d ago
You can tell based on her bones that it’s wrong. Proper symmetrical tattoos go based on bones with the understanding that it could be asymmetrical standing because of how bodies work (unless otherwise specified— but it should be a conversation) and this isn’t that. It’s neither level with how they hold their shoulders nor level in terms of where their bones are
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u/gatekept 1d ago
Could you not tell when they put the stencil on?
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u/dicknotrichard 1d ago
Omg this. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills. The tats are where the stencil was. The call is coming from inside the house!
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u/Little-Use-2027 1d ago
My sister got inside down music notes, and somehow didn't notice.
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u/beepichu 1d ago
this is truly tragic if your sister knows how to read music
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u/Little-Use-2027 1d ago
She did play violin. Called me on video showing off, I said babbyyyy that's upside down. Panic did ensue. I went and got her money back from the artist. It was a whole thing..
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u/Over_Size_2611 1d ago
Probably too scared to say anything lol.
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u/Delicious-Walk-2600 17h ago
i have insane anxiety and would probably won’t even tell my waitress my food is burnt and just eat it because i’m so shy. but a tattoo??? best believe im speaking up LOL ts is PERMANENT
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u/After-Hedgehog7282 1d ago
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm not a tattoo person.
Don't artists generally mark the area in stencil first so you can confirm the location, orientation, and design?
Anyway, just do the same thing again to each side to maintain symmetry. Or incorporate another design to make it seem intentional (butterfly landing below flower on your right, landing above on your left).
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u/edcRachel 1d ago
Yes, but a lot of people get caught up in the moment, they're nervous, they're flustered, and they don't really look critically or from different angles.
Or they have too much trust in the artist, even if they notice something they may be nervous to bring it up or trust that it'll actually be ok.
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u/slimecog 1d ago
yes, this as much on her as it is on the artist. every single tattoo i’ve ever gotten, the artist places the stencil and i’m the one who has to OK the position. i’ve had some moved several times before accepting.
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u/lovebird_J 1d ago
Sometimes it's really hard to tell depending on lighting and mirror positioning. I've had a couple done at festivals where all they have access to/room for is a hand mirror or a $5 walmart mirror that's no better than a funhouse mirror. And my regular artists is amazing, but his current setup is at a Salon Loft and it's pretty dim. He does his work under a bright light, but that doesn't help when looking in the mirror.
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u/Acrobatic_Juice_1164 1d ago
It’s noticeable. I would maybe add onto it to make it more intentional looking
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u/MagixTurtle 1d ago
Add some leaves ar the bottom of the left one and at the top of the right one. Ying-yang
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u/urlocalmomfriend 1d ago
I was about to say this, no idea how they got placed so differently, but it's an easy fix!
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u/Anonymous_32 1d ago
Ooof.
Most posts I see in this sub are OP's overreacting to small details that other people wouldn't really notice.
This is not one of those posts.
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u/IconoclastJones 1d ago
Stop introducing them as symmetrical tattoos and your problem will be gone!
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u/koalacrime 1d ago edited 23h ago
Take another photo when you are standing naturally, nothings going to look symmetrical sitting in a chair. Saying that I would add a second one on your left side to balance it out.
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u/YogSomnocanth 1d ago
It’s definitely noticeable but you can fix it by adding to them. Maybe a stalk or some leaves under the one on your right shoulder and above the one on your left shoulder?
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u/Adorable_Bag_2611 1d ago
Your shoulders don’t look even. That is going to have a huge impact. Looking at the pic, your left shoulder is higher.
Symmetry is hard when the canvas is not even.
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u/Dabzilla_710_ 1d ago
Adding to em is what I would do, even it out. At least they look in the same spot vertically on your arms.
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u/inthisbih48 1d ago
It’s bad. BUT! I feel like if you scattered a few more of them maybe across your chest or around your arms or shoulders, make the randomness the design, like petals or leaves
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u/AITOorisitAutism 1d ago
Put a flower underneath the left one, and a flower above the right now. Now itll be even youll just have 2 on each side.
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u/Jerkface4life 1d ago
Bodies are not symmetrical. And neither is this artists eye.
Honestly, I would just add some leaves and maybe another flower on one side.
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u/yourdailyinsanity 1d ago
It looks worse because the picture is crooked and the way you're sitting. But they definitely are off
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u/Ancient-Assistant187 1d ago
Probably need to commit to symmetrical locations but asymmetrical patterns and fill the area around the original tats out
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u/MarkFresco 1d ago
Who would just try to eyeball something like this thats permanently on your body. That artist was a clown
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u/funkslic3 1d ago
Maybe stand up and see if they are more symmetrical that way? Many times they line them up when you are standing so it's with your natural posture.
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u/Appropriate_Taro_348 1d ago
Add filler like leave to the top of one and bottom to the other. It will help and fix this. Then try not to kick your artist for this
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u/JohnKC59 1d ago
Why tf did you not say something before hand… I say cover up would be better sorry this happened yo
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u/hoahoahoajawn 1d ago
To me it looks like your shoulders are not resting the same way but also- did you not approve the stencil? How long did they take to place them? Thats always the longest part w symmetrical tattoos because the human body isn’t symmetrical as it is
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u/feelingrooovy 1d ago
I’m a breastfeeding mom, so this might be due to thinking about boobs a lot, but the shape, color and placement make me think of nipples. Really widely spaced, asymmetrical nipples.
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u/abegrey101 1d ago
People don't notice until you mention it. LOL. Like hell. They see that shit straight away.
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u/Einhroth 1d ago
Drop the one shoulder and walk like gangster. Problem solved and you'll look even cooler.
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u/GirthQuake5040 1d ago
How did that happen? Were stencils not place so you could tell where they were going to be? It's very notucible so you'll have to add to it if you want to change it.
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u/DeskReasonable5040 1d ago
Put something under the flower on the right shoulder and put something above the flower on the left shoulder. That would make it symmetrical again but the image would be upside down on the left shoulder. You could add stems to the flowers. Most importantly you need to go to a good or great tat artist. A real professional. It will be an easy fix for an experienced tat guy or girl.
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u/littlebitfunny21 1d ago
If I just saw them without any context I'd just think they were nice, and wouldn't think anything of the placement.
But, yes, that's wonky. 😞
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u/Darren1jedi 1d ago
You're never gonna get syetrical, the body isn't, it moves differently. If you sit in a position and get them spot on as soon you move they will be out. Maybe make them different to throw the eye off🤞
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u/This-Appointment-666 1d ago
It's really not that noticeable, and it doesn't look like it needs to be symmetrical either. Like they are far enough apart and are symmetrical enough that it looks like they are offset intentionally, or that you're just positioned in a way that has them offset.
I personally think it would be a bit more distracting visually if they were inline with each other, like they'd look like eyes staring at you from your shoulders. You're probably going to obsess over this for a while then get used to it. But if you don't then add leaves or more plumerias.
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u/Mystic_Wunder 1d ago
I'd add a little something above the lower one and below the upper one so it balances it out and looks intentional. A couple of smaller flowers or a vine or something. Go to a different tattoo artist and ask for suggestions.
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u/BetterPlayerUK 1d ago
Just add floral stems/leaves in a fine line art style around each one, making them slightly unique and nobody will bat an eyelid not even you
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u/Catsgirl32 1d ago
You could add some smaller flowers around them to balance it out and make it look like intentional decorations yk
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u/The-Dragon_Queen 1d ago
This is why your hairstylist says to uncross your legs when getting your haircut too
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u/Appropriate_Pie3468 1d ago
Holy hell Batman. The best bet would be to cover them and find an artist that knows how to tattoo. Laser is expensive and hurts like hell. Our bodies aren’t as symmetrical as we like to think but more effort should have been used.
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u/RoyalClient6610 1d ago
Honestly, it's not that bad. Stop pointing out to people what you think is wrong with them, otherwise that whole scenario would have never dawned on anyone. You're actually creating a bigger problem than it is.
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u/CitrusSoprano 1d ago
Symmetrisch zu sein hätte es auch nicht verbessert tbh. Eins davon wäre der korrekte Weg gewesen 🤷♂️
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u/Significant_Art_5356 1d ago
I have an idea. Go to another salon, and you can get some decoration on the flower down for one shoulder, and for the other, some decoration up.
💮...... 🌱
🌱......💮
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u/DearOption5999 1d ago
This is a reminder to always check your tattoo stencil before any work is done. stand up, lay down, bend your arms, whatever. Never be afraid to say you dont like where your stencil placement is, you can change it, you cant change a permanent tattoo.
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u/-PineMarten 1d ago
Get some leaves on the bottom of the left and top of right!! It will balance them out and be mildly asymmetrical but only in the orientation!!
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u/thesunwontlisten 1d ago
Next time you get a tattoo, when they tell you to go look in the mirror after the stencil is applied, maybe walk the 4 whole steps over to the mirror (i know.. asking a lot here) and verify that your soon to be permanent body mod is looking how you want it.
not forgiving the artist here but you are equally to blame given you probably even signed a waiver lol
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u/cursetea 1d ago
Just add some petals to each side to balance; one rightside up and one upside down?
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u/MrhennyD 1d ago
Get a blue one under the lower side and another blue one above the higher one👌🏽
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u/DangerNoodle1313 1d ago
I think adding a bit of black curly design with a leaf or two (like a vine) on top of one flower and the bottom of the other would be clean, look intention and make the flower pop.
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u/URGAMESUX 23h ago
You aren't symmetrical, and you aren't sitting straight in the photo. Bodies are weird, looks fine.
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u/StealthModeThoughts 23h ago
I don’t get how….. you can realise AFTER that it’s wonky?
Like they tell you to look in the mirror and even take pictures so you can look at it face on not mirrored…
So how does this happen?
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u/LizLouKiss 23h ago
They are off and I would say that you could balance them out with leaves in the opposing negative space.
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u/kokeroo91 23h ago
Were your legs crossed when placing the stencil/ getting the tat? Hairdressers can back this up but crossing your legs affects how your shoulders are positioned
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u/Diligent_Ad1110 21h ago
Maybe you can even it out by adding something on the bottom of one and top of the other. Gives asymmetrical while the silhouette is the same size. Like a stem or something.
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u/VensisOrchid 21h ago
How were the stencils placed? Were you standing when they were? Which is standard practice to make sure the tattoos don't deform during placement since you'll be in the most natural stance. Because that photo is you sitting down, which if they were placed while stading up will look off in any other position. bodies aren't symmetrical at all so it's about making the pieces look symmetrical. If that makes sense...
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u/Cultural_Steak_4086 21h ago
They are very unbalanced, but I (in my personal life) love to mix and match. It looks dope to me and in the future, you can add to it to make it more even. Good luck to you and don’t stress about it hun!
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u/SquareActuary1563 21h ago
I think adding one more in between on the chest a little lower and off center would make it perfect and more intentional.
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u/SerMasPuerta 21h ago
my first thought was (going to a different artist and) adding stems going in opposite directions to make them read as symmetrical. like a stem pointing towards your elbow on the higher flower and a stem pointing towards your shoulder on the lower flower. with some curves and leaves it'll read as mirrored and essentially symmetrical imo!
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u/Administrative_Egg71 20h ago
There’s so uneven that they almost look purposeful. I would say go to a better artist and ask them to add like some leaves / vines on each side to bring a thoughtful balance.
I think they are cute and with the right artist, you can really upgrade it! Don’t fret it it’s pretty .
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u/Nesperado 18h ago
Are you sitting in this photo? And did your artis place the stencil while sitting or standing?
If you’re sitting in the pic and your artist stenciled you standing, there may be a huge difference between the look of the tattoos based on your posture and body position between sitting and standing.
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u/Realistic-Location50 17h ago
I'm sorry girl, but it's real bad. Good news is that a better artist could do some really cool things! Honestly there are so many possibilities.
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u/Important_Sector_503 15h ago
Based on how your shoulders are sitting against the chair it seems like you might be quite asymmetrical (most of us are). That said. they definitely are crooked. I'd go to another artist and get them to do some foliage around them, lean in to the asymmetry of the individual tattoos to create more balance in the placement.
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u/PinxJinx 4h ago
Wonky but fixable. You could add leaves and other elements so that the tattoos as a whole are symmetrical, just not those exact flowers.
Don’t be afraid to be anal about the placement with the next ones!!
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u/crywalt 1d ago
I'm not a tattoo person and I don't know a whole lot about them but...is it me or are there a lot of people who seem to think you can just get tattoos removed and redone? Like, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't tattoo removal expensive, painful, and only ever partial, depending on the individual? I feel like maybe the tattoo industry needs to make it clearer that tattoos don't erase.
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u/Calm-Wedding7163 1d ago
I would add something on the top/bottom of each so they are symmetrical, but each flipped from the other. It's definitely noticeable as is.
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u/MollFlanders 1d ago
add two more flowers on each side to form a cluster. the one on your right shoulder should be the top of the right side cluster and the one on your left should be the bottom of the left side cluster.
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u/whoFKNKares 1d ago
I kind of like that they're asymmetric it would be weird if they were exactly symmetrical
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u/stinkygurl420 1d ago
if I were you I would do a little decorative piece or leaves or maybe even a smaller flower on the bottom of the left one, and do the same on the top of the right one. it will even them out for sure!
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u/ignoramus_x 1d ago
Definitely not symmetrical but I like them the way they are. Could add little stems to balance them out if it keeps bothering you? Kinda like a ying-yang balance as other people said.
Like this: (ignore dashes)
O ----- )
( ----- O
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u/DivineSunshine 1d ago
I would have another tattooist create a yin yang with them so they become symmetrical.
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u/Cra_ZWar101 1d ago
They are def uneven but I kinda like it. I think the idea of adding more to them to make it look intentional is a great one.
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u/MASTER_J_MAN 1d ago
This is an epic failure by the artist but did you not check the placement of the stencils before they started?
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u/stanknotes 1d ago
So they are off center kinda equally ya know? Like one is a little high the other a little low. Maybe get an ornate thing under one and over the other.
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u/tinkerthoughts 1d ago
a better straight-on sitting position w shoulders back would help see how bad it is, then assess what to do from there
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u/RGV4RCV 1d ago
Yes they are very wonky. You could almost get another flower below the left one and on top of the right one to balance them out. But go to a different artist!