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New dragon shading
Finally got some new ink last night! It’s hard to believe I haven’t been drilled on since last August. So, as weird as it may sound to be looking forward to something painful, I was really eager to get back in the chair and get some more work done on my dragon.
My artist, Casey Cokrlic, called me right before we left to get to the tattoo shop. Now, just so’s ya know, Casey is about as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster (by his own admission), so to see his name show up on a call – especially right before a session – is cause to worry. Usually it means he’s gonna have to reschedule. And after having been on a hiatus for so long, I was instantly bummed to think I’d have to wait even longer. But as luck would have it, he only needed to finish up what he was working on and was being considerate so that we wouldn’t have to sit around and wait for him to finish the piece he was working on. And since Casey was already staying past closing time to work on me, I was more than happy to wait an extra hour if it meant I would still get new ink.
Casey had just gotten back from a trip in Europe where he had been doing some conventions as well as tattooing in some shops over there. He’s known for being one of the fastest tattooers in Europe, so going over there for a few weeks can be quite lucrative. Anyhow, he’s sporting a big bushy beard now and it was a little surprising to see it on him. But he’s got the same broad smile as ever, and better yet, the shop has new chairs! Top ‘o the line comfortable chairs (as if I needed another reason to be excited about having more work done).
Before we got started, I told him I’d been doing some thinking about what I’d like on my right arm and showed him the demon & samurai I’d been working on. I figured he would just tolerate it (because I know how I’d feel if a client of mine brought me a layout for an ad and asked me to execute it), but I was happily surprised to hear him praise the piece, especially the composition and coloring I had done. Apparently, I made a lot of correct decisions in terms of placement and my drawing skills were enough to impress him. It meant a lot to me to hear him speak well of my work because I’m such a fan of his. He recommended a few good books to help me continue my pursuit of good Japanese tattto design. One can never have enough good reference!
So we got down to business and he busted out the rest of the scales we didn’t have time for last time, working around the inside and back of my arm and finishing out all the shading on the dragon’s head as well. Then he went back and colored in the yellow for all the dragon’s “whiskers.”
All told, it took about 2 hours – a bit more time than I figured, but only because I’m already used to looking at the front of my arm and not the unfinished back. There was a LOT of detail work involved (plus, it looks great!). I’m stoked about being one step closer to completion on this piece! Next time he’ll put in the color on the belly scales as well as the legs, talons, and flames. Then we may move over to sleeve out the right arm! The dragon will be a strong enough piece on it’s own for a while and will hold up until we figure what will go on my left arm, then he’ll do the entire background all together so it all flows properly.
It may have taken half a year, but I’m finally back at it!
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
