Helmutt

and yankin it to Jane Fonda aerobics

No problem, I've been lucky to have good friends in the business over 25 years, so I used to spend a lot of time at the tat shops......just picked up on things. Really its up to you between color/b&g. That's something I can't lean one way or the other on, that is up to your preference. The artist may have better opinion on it if you're unsure. The few portrait artists I know prefer black/gray for finer detail. Fine detail can be done in color too, but it depends on sizing of the piece and the artists skill.

Chest and ribcage are sensitive, just fyi. The shoulder blade would probably be more tolerable, imo. Of course, everyone is different......along with their thresholds for pain. Just talk that over with the artist too since they'll know best as to what would look best with the design, and how it would be most symmetrical with your physique.

Photo realism specialists I'd recommend would be Scott Versago or Jason Hager. If you want fine detail, portrait pro's would be the best choice imo. Both portfolios on these guys look like amazing work, killer contrast and shading. I would DEFINITELY go to Empire if I were you

I'm just the live in mechanic ( sort of )

I know, I only had 1 left over fairing bolt that was long enough to replace a reflector, but it was from my old Yamaha and it slowed her Ninja down too much Figured I'd order some spares to get them both removed, plus it never hurts to have extras just in case

Another consideration would be to schedule the tattoo when you have a few days off work to help it get the attention it needs. Now, I'm not offering but you'll need someone to wash the piece and to keep ointment on it a few times each day since it's on your back.....and its best to keep clothing off of it the initial 24hrs or so too. I usually got ink on a Friday so I'd have the weekend to baby it. After a few days you'll start to see ink flaking, this would be normal.....scabbing, is not. If the tat scabs up, you either failed to keep it properly cleaned/lubed, or the artist overworked an area, or he had a barbed needle. If it scabs up, you'll be going back for touchup work.

"Should" be ok........they'll let you know once you get there and discuss what you're after with size, color, changes, details, etc

Wouldn't be a bad idea for you both to go through a ccw course together. But at least get her some pepper spray for now. Can't believe the tenacity of criminals sometimes Good to hear she escaped unharmed

The pic will need to be traced onto carbon anyway so it can be stenciled on your back, so the artist can blow it up larger on a copier then add details that would be lost on the enlargement. As long as the pic is legible and close to the size you need, it should suffice

Nothing says "beware of owner" like 3 or 4 bleeding bullet wounds. Hard lessons are usually only needing taught once. I agree with Pokey, no garage for the bike at the gf's place.....dont ride the bike to the gf's:dunno:

This NOT this Dude, that's a cover up waiting to happen.....those lines are blown beyond repair If you take a big copy ( 8-1/2 x 11 ) with you it will help to get the most detail in the pic for the artist to use. A GOOD artist will know relatively how big it would need to be to capture the detail you want, but there will surely be some compromise with how large you actually want the piece. If sizing of the tat is large enough to fill a sheet of paper, it's gonna cost you accordingly. Can't say how much exactly, but on average a tattoo artist will price larger custom work by the hour in the $100-$125'ish/hr ( this is very 'ish - guesstimate compared to around here ) especially your first visit. There could be a flatrate amount too, but like said above.....don't take a sale priced tattoo. Usually the more you go in for ink, the more the rates 'can' drop for repeat biz. But you may get lucky with a good artist that feels particularly generous Good luck and post pics of the work!

^^^Cool koi 3/4 sleeve. Other colors going in it or just more shading?

Uhhh.....yeah.....she doesn't always think before she speaks

It's from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation so it applies to riding, just at more of a fundamental level imo. How quickly a rider perceives obstacles, signage, danger, yadayada, all plays a part in reaction times. Obviously real world skills are developed ON the bike in knowing what actions need to occur at those times. Oh, and on older stupid smartphones.....this test wont come up

It is better after color and shading, seems more complete now. What other plans do you have for around this? You said it was the beginning.....now you're hooked

Was this a newer artist? 2-1/2hrs and that size of piece should've been done, shading, color, etc. Looks like he may have used too small of a needle group ( 3 or 5 round ) and the solid black sections could have used a bigger 7 or 9 mag to pack more color. The different angles here and there show a lack of a consistent perspective and linework is a little shaky in places too. Sorry man, I'm not intentionally nut punching your new tat or negatively picking his work apart.....but these things are what stand out to me and I'm just seeing where improvements needed on the artists work. If you dig it, THAT'S what matters most.....your body, your wallet. But this does appear to be semi-beginner skills, imo. I like the idea, and the overall concept - just lacks application, personally speaking. He could make it a much better piece once he shades/colors it up.

Think it may just be some inflammation from the fresh colorwork, its typical to get some mild swelling and irritation the first couple days after tattooing

without a hose, and Barrack sent

Where's Cooter? He's got one

Definitely this ^^^ When I mentioned pulling a few psi out, I run mine around 38-40 and took it down to about 35-37 -- but like I said, it didn't really change the feel much and I could still tell when it would get on/off the flat spot. I'm with these guys, if you're getting over 7-8k out of a tire I would replace them and call it good -- that's stellar mileage out of a rear.

Damnit.......didn't ride to work today and I've gotta go to Reimbrandt's paint shop and work on his bike after work, otherwise we could've put our errands off and went riding! Be safe fella's

Evil Dead > any action movie ever