[...] longer content to have the pr...
Obama on the cover of Newsweek as Shiva the Destroyer? « Full Metal Patriot on Obamessiah non sequitur
My new dragon tattoo
After trying in vain for the past two months to schedule time with my tattoo artist, I finally managed to get him on the phone and arrange time to start a new half-sleeve. Ever since my right arm was finished, I wanted to get started on the left. My only question was the subject matter. I’ve been giving serious consideration to the idea of a snake, but was also perhaps wanting a dragon. Either way, I love the way the art can look on the body, with the sinuous curves of the serpent complementing the form of the body, and the color and contrast of the scales make for a very interesting look. And the more I researched and thought about it, it seemed that a dragon would be the way to go. Not only do I like ‘em a bit better (they represent aggression and power as well as the idea of the dragon being a guardian possessing wisdom – something to aspire to), but traditionally, dragons and phoenix are opposing/constrasting creatures. And since my right arm features a phoenix, that seemed the perfect match.
I brought in several images I had found as reference for the way I wanted the dragon to be drawn. I already was very familiar with Casey’s style of Japanese dragons, so we just needed to work out details of how it would be drawn; mouth open or closed, shape of head, style of horns, feet placement, etc.
For tattoos like this, and especially since I’m already comfortable with Casey’s ability, he began by roughing out the shape on my chest and arm, first with a yellow pen to match the placement of my other half-sleeve. And then with a red pen to get more specific shapes in place.
From there, he moved to using a black pen to work out all the details.
Funny thing is, it doesn’t hurt to have someone draw on you with a ballpoint pen. But I could tell what places were going to be particularly painful.
After a trip to the mirror to check out and approve the way everything’s been drawn, it’s time to break out the needles. And the real fun begins.
While Casey was inking me, there were people who were in the shop with their friend who was getting tattooed, and they stopped by the room to take a look at what I was getting. It never ceases to amaze me that people want to know if a tattoo hurts.
Do ya like getting a shot at the doctor? Well, imagine getting hundreds of ‘em every minute. Well, to be honest it’s not quite that. The tattoo needle doesn’t go as deep. But it sure does burn in some places and sting in others.
It hurts. Duh.
I always tell people it’s like eating ice cream. Or feels like it’s being licked on by little kittens.
I just try to grimace when they’re not looking.
This part was a big bag of no fun. All of it hurts, but the end of the tail was particularly difficult.
I love the way Casey drew the claws and flames. And I like the placement, too. He manages to find a way to not only make it look cool, but to make the art mesh with the contours of the body. It’s gonna look so good when all the scales are inked in.
Two hours later, the outline was finished. And so was I. This was my most difficult session to date. Outlines are always more difficult than coloring sessions. I think what made this one such a challenge was the fact that it spanned so many really painful areas, places of sensitive skin as well as places of contact with bone like the shoulder and collarbone. By the time Casey was finished on the chest, I was totally out of endorphins and felt completely overwhelmed. When he wiped off the entire piece to clean it, I nearly passed out. But I was so jazzed to be starting on the path to a new piece of art.
Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
