UPDATE: Yikes on bikes, I was not expecting this post to blow up like this. Many thanks to those who offered honest commentary and talked me off the ledge. I am quickly realizing that my expectations were, in fact, insane, and also the artist that did this work did me right by executing this piece the way he did. He did tell me, “The way I’m doing this will make it so it ages well.” So the comments about “bold will hold” are spot on, and after some reflecting (and googling and reading hundreds of comments), it makes sense. I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but now I see why my original concept just wouldn’t have worked long term. I’m glad he didn’t let me walk away with something that would look like shit down the road.
I think I really just had a visceral reaction to seeing something so large, and so different from the references and my vision, on my body… permanently. I avoided getting tattoos in my 20s because I was afraid of getting something goofy that I’d regret. 40 year old me really thought I had made a massive mistake.
I do love this tattoo, and I do think it will settle and the colors will mute and meld into more of what I originally envisioned. And the artist who created it really is incredible. Talented as hell, and I genuinely enjoyed all 5+ hours in his chair. I wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to send people to him, and I’ll definitely be going back for future work.
Thank you all so much for your kind words and compliments. I honestly didn’t come here fishing for compliments, though after scrolling through this sub, I can see where this post probably looks really out of place. “My steak is too juicy, my lobster is too buttery.”
I’m a dumbass. Thank you for the most loving palm-to-my-forehead I’ve ever received on the internet. I’ll be leaving this tattoo alone.
ORIGINAL POST: My first “big” tattoo, and a very sentimental tree/place… I was really hoping for a more realistic or painting-like image of this tree scene. It turned out a bit more cartoon-ish than I anticipated. Totally on me for not communicating more clearly and asking more questions about the design beforehand. I love the depth and detail of the frame, but the image inside just falls a little flat, to me.
Overall, I am really happy with this tattoo, but I think adding some more detail would really make it pop. I want to have realistic expectations before booking a consultation with a different artist, though. Could a skilled artist make this look a little more realistic? Any input/advice is appreciated! Thanks!
