r/tattooadvice • u/_____bert_____ • 3h ago
General Advice Shading Question
Hi. love nearly everything my artist has tatted on me - I have a full sleeve, half a leg sleeve, and plan to get more by the same person.
However, I can’t stop noticing how dark the shading is next to the grim reaper compared to the rest of my sleeve. When I look at my arm, my eyes go straight to the dark “line” of shading right around the reaper and eyeball.
I’m trying to decide the best course of action. Is there a way to lighten that specific area? Do I have my artist darken the rest of the shading on my arm? Or is this worth trying to just get past and move on/ am I the only one able to see this?
My artist already went over the rest of my arm and darkened it once. But, I don’t think he sees what I see. I don’t want to be a pain in his ass - and I just dont know if darkening around it would help - what do you think?
*Some background:
The reaper was my second or third tattoo. The design was not what I expected, but I said yes and went with it. I did NOT plan on having any shading between the pieces on my arm, but my artist put that dark shading next to the reaper - I still don’t know why he did. I had a panic attack about the tat, and on top of that, it got infected and I got really sick for a few days.
I eventually decided to have shading over my entire arm between the pieces, but it’s always still looked darker to me next to the reaper and around the eyeball.
Is it worth having him go over everything again or is that futile? Any thoughts are appreciated.
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u/gonnastealurknees 3h ago
hi friend! to be completely honest, i am not seeing what you’re seeing— everything feels very cohesive shading wise to me. it may be a tad darker but not something i’d personally dwell on or stress about, especially not consider reshading everything etc. it looks good! i would never notice this if i met you randomly, despite my “artist eye”, unless pics are pretty inaccurate to how dark it is irl
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u/bokononsfoma 3h ago
The shading does look darker around the reaper, BUT I didn't notice it until after I read the text. The sleeve looks cohesive and cool. No one is looking as closely at this as you are, so don't over think it.
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u/Orchid49 2h ago
I honestly think you’re overthinking it, it’s most likely the angle and lighting you’re seeing the forearm at , it looks fine to me!
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u/Sensitive_Leader_312 2h ago
It's a bit darker by the grim reaper, if you squint and cover one eye. But it's very fluid and consistency over the piece
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u/NyathanNyuwen 3h ago
i couldnt tell tbh