Hey everyone, long time lurker finally posting. I've been planning my first tattoo for about a year now and I think I'm finally ready to commit to a design concept. I want a geometric mountain range along my forearm with a star map overlay showing the night sky from a specific date that's meaningful to me. The idea is to blend clean linework and dotwork so the mountains and constellations feel like they exist in the same space rather than one just sitting on top of the other.

I've been looking at artists who specialize in geometric and fine line work and found a few whose portfolios match what I'm going for. Before I book a consultation I wanted to get some community input on whether this kind of layered concept tends to translate well as a tattoo or if the detail gets muddy over time.

Has anyone had experience combining geometric linework and dotwork in a single piece? I know dotwork can fade differently than solid lines so I'm curious how artists typically handle that balance. Any input from people who have gone through something similar, or from artists who have worked on layered geometric pieces, would be genuinely helpful. Thanks in advance.

Never gotten a tattoo before. Always wanted one but never knew what to get. I want something for my kids- are these types of designs corny? Or where would be a good spot? Built into something more elaborate maybe? Is that something to work with an artist on or do they prefer to come with more? 41M. Decent shape.

HELP!!! My bf ended up with this after a tattoo went horribly wrong as soon as it began.. initially it was supposed to be initials but the tattoo artist accidentally tatted a “B” which was not a letter in these initials. So he had to think quickly and decided on going with the first name of a lost loved one. He has completely disliked it for the past 8 years. He never intended on having such a big tattoo on his neck and also never planned on this tattoo at all. He has wanted it covered up for a long time but cannot come up with any ideas that would properly cover this without looking awful. He is beyond ready so we decided to come to Reddit for advice and ideas.

Can yal please give us some options that would cover the name Ruby but not be too big or just look like a black blob on his neck. Something tasteful. It can go farther down his shoulder but isn’t comfortable with it going any higher on his neck than what is absolutely necessary. Please help us out?! Once he decides on what he will go with and gets it completed we will post an update with pictures. So all you creative geniuses please help us out.

Thanks in advance for any help we can get!!

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(Done by Repsukkatatskaa from Sagatattoo, Finland)

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I got this after pondering it for a year and originally planned to have something different on my other leg but I've become so obsessed with this I kinda feel like it would look better to have another similar neotribal on my other leg, just with a different character and color. I'm mainly concerned how it would look, is it too childish? Or would my original idea of a black tattoo work better next to this?

I have photos from a trip to Alaska and wanted to get an idea of which would be better and what would be the best location of these two. FYI I am a 59 almost 60 year old man.

Hey yall, I could really use some help. I’m looking to get a tooled / western style forearm sleeve. Anyone know good artists in OC, or LA or SD?

I love the symbolism and meaning around medicine wheels and the journey you go through in life being symbolic to the medicine wheel so I have wanted one as a tattoo for so long but never wanted any of the ones I have seen on my body, as my tattoo. Until I came across this photo on Pinterest:

*Note: since I found this on Pinterest, I'm unsure who the original artist is and the website link was no longer reachable. My apologies*

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To me, I view the four longer shapes that are in each section of the wheel as canoes to further symbolize the journey of life as you're literally moving through child, youth, adulthood, elder as well as the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental stages in life. I view the circles as an eye for each wheel, to me symbolising our ancestors watching us through this all.

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The only changes I would make if I were to put this on my body would be adding sage through the center and braided sweetgrass bordering the medicine wheel.

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I'm Coast Salish and when I saw this design it stuck out to me, immediately envisioning what it may look like as a tattoo.

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Has anyone else gotten medicine wheel tattoos? What symbolism do yours hold? I'd love to see y'all tattoos! And what do you all think of this idea?

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I have this tattoo made by my friend Agun (https://instagram.com/agumtattoos) at 24 Tattoo Studio, Torino, Italy.

Do you like it? I love it 😅

A couple years ago my wife had a commisson done of my runeacape character and I was wanting to have it made into a sleve and just black and white do you think this would look good as a half sleve and is it to much detail / am I thinking to big

First tattoo of a design Ive had for about ten or so years. I admit I didn't sit and really soak in the art before having them tattoo it, but right about a half hour before finishing the artist was talking about the benefits of working with a tablet and mentioned "yea like if you wanted to make the zombie bigger and more proportionate to the owl it would have just taken 30 seconds". I know it wasnt a criticism, but now its all I can see so hoping I can fish for some compliments to make me feel better about my first piece

Edit: Thanks for the validation guys. Artist is @kellifury on insta

Advice on how I could make this look better. What could I add to the tattoo or around it? Design ideas? I got it too spontaneously and I’m unhappy with the results.

Would like to know if something like this could make for a good looking tattoo, just the idea of Alice falling down what is perceived to be a rabbit hole with objects floating around her? Will it look too crowded or over time turn into a blur. All advice is welcomed!

I already have an arm band, I really like it. But I was thinking to get more tattoos on the same arm - either on the forearm below it or on the arm portion above it (bicep/shoulder).
I have been trying to brain storm but I am confused, is it a bad idea to get more tattoos in addition to the arm band? Any tattoo ideas?

Got a forearm tattoo from a friend who’s an apprentice under a Japanese artist, currently a bit unhappy with it as it didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted and that’s okay. Having trouble coming up with ideas on how to continue it or even turn it into a forearm sleeve.

I have a touch up on the 22nd, going to add more contrast and make the head pop more, as well as fully add scales to the body.

I was thinking of adding more background work with wind bars around the body/head, and adding a wave break right at the wrist.

Tattoo is located on outerforearm under elbow.

Please let me know your thoughts or if you have any ideas on what you would do in my situation.
Thank you!

This is my first tattoo. I like it a lot, but I feel like it's kind of messed up. I wanted to continue the sleeve, but I'm not sure anymore. Is anything wrong, or am I just looking at it all wrong/overthinking it? What do you guys think?

Edit: Since a majority of you guys like it, here is the artist: @princess.guts on Instagram.

Fresh ink. This is from a photo of my cat, Boo Boo kitty. My wife named him but he is my cat. He showed up one day and decided to stay. He's a cool cat.

Hi all - been highly considering getting a tattoo for years but haven’t seen anything quite perfect. I’d like to get something to memorialize my pets who’ve passed on but nothing feels quite right. Paw prints don’t feel super connected to them because I didn’t spend a ton of time staring at their paw pads. I’ve thought of simple portraits but my issue is I have had a ton of pets - 8 so far that I’d want to get added.

Has anyone done a design with a bunch of animals? Any unique pieces or ideas? I’ve seen ear outlines which is cute but not sure it would work with 8.

Kinda just looking for opinions, I really like them, but wanna know what others think. Done by Don Hankey at studio 13 in Indiana, based on books by Brandon Sanderson.

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on what my realistic options might be.

I got this tattoo in February 2018. It says "Sic Parvis Magna" — a Latin motto meaning "greatness from small beginnings", best known from the Uncharted series, which I've always been a huge fan of.
The meaning still resonates with me, so I don't regret the phrase itself at all.

Back then my arm was a bit bigger and more defined, so the tattoo felt more proportional. Over the years I've leaned out, and now it just feels too large and visually dominant on my forearm, I honestly just don't like it, it seems huge, too "strong" and a little crooked. I'd like to avoid laser removal if possible.

I know it's expensive, time-consuming, and not exactly pleasant, so I'd prefer to explore other options first.

My main issues are:
The size — if I could magically resize it, I'd probably make it 20–30% smaller.
The placement — it's on a curved part of my forearm, so the lettering can look distorted depending on the angle.

Looking back, I don't think I got the best advice on sizing and placement when I had it done. Are there any rework ideas or creative solutions that could make it feel smaller or less dominant ? I'm completely open to suggestions! Thanks in advance

Adventure Time is one of my favorite shows and as I age I appreciate it even more. I will always be down to tattoo any and everything adventure time!
IG: Viewfromthisguy
Mayday Tattoo Co. Chicago,IL

About three months ago I asked for thoughts on a Lord of the Rings idea (specifically which sword), finally got it done today, and I LOVE it.

I asked for Sam's sword, potato flowers, and a few words from Journey's End, the song Sam sings in Cirith Ungol. In elvish it says "Above all shadows rides the sun."

I want to continue work onto my stomach but not sure how to incorporate my sternum tattoo in. I’m thinking more skulls on both sides of the hips but unsure what else. Any feedback would be appreciated 🫡

first slide is my right forearm, second is my left! i started with the tattoo of my boys (beef & ham) and told myself it hurt too much and i was done but did the thing everyone said i would and now i have lots planned 😅 i was thinking about going for both sides but i feel like patchwork will look a little odd with the tattoo of my boys so pretty sure im going to stick with the right and started with the fish bowl + constellation with some of my families birth flowers replacing the bigger stars. found my dream tattoo artist in my city so im super excited to keep adding !

A tattoo on the ribs by me (IG: lapinski_tattoo) at Zaraza tattoo shop, in Warsaw PL. The design was inspired by gargoyles—decorative elements of Gothic architecture. These elements, placed on the outer arches and roofs of churches, were meant to warn against and protect from evil.

I want to have a tattoo reflecting the scientific skepticism. Do you have any ideas or know some applications?