In October 2023 the online site BORED PANDA asked me to contribute my thoughts on what makes a good or bad tattoo. I am, of course, always happy to give my opinions about anything, as anyone who has ever spent time being tattooed by me well knows.

The original post is at https://www.boredpanda.com/bad-tattoo-designs/

but in case it goes down the memory hole here are my thoughts contained within. The post also has 50 of some of the most cringe-worthy examples of amateur and ill-considered tattoos, well worth a scan. My favorite?

So here are my answers to his interview questions that the author interspersed with the tattoo photo images:

Bored Panda also got in touch with tattoo artist Pat Fish to talk about all things tattoos, including some helpful insights for those who want a tattoo or two (or twelve), so be sure to read on!

So, what is a “bad tattoo”? For some, it might be a mere issue of taste, but it’s things like skill and artistic aptitude that have a direct impact on how well a tattoo will turn out. And that correlates with money.

Tattoo artist Pat Fish, who brings the art of Celtic culture and symbolism to life on skin, elaborated on this:

“Unfortunately, if price is the first consideration, the result may be sub-par,” elaborates Pat. “The resulting tattoo may have shaky lines, the tattooist may get lost in the pattern and put lines where they ought not to be, or the novice apprentice may give it their best which is not yet adequate.”

“When a trend comes along, like outlining in color, or doing an entire tattoo in color without any black defining lines, the result is guaranteed to age poorly,” explained Pat.

“Tattoo artists know this, but when a potential client insists many will go ahead and bow to the economics of money in hand and go ahead and do a tattoo that will look lovely the day it is done, but will blur over time. People see something they want to copy on the internet and they do not want to listen to their local tattooist who understands the technical limitations of the medium.”

“This applies equally to questions of scale. If they see a photo of a backpiece TikTokTat and ask to copy it on their wrist the artist should be honest and say that level of detail cannot be done in a reduced size. But again, many will say they can do it with a poor result.”

“ALL the methods of removal leave a scar, and in most cases you can even tell what the old tattoo was,” explains Pat. “The ink is deep enough that for full removal the only sure way to get rid of it is to cut away all the skin. MUCH preferred is to go to a competent artist who can design and implement a cover-up tattoo, so the skin remains healthy and the new design completely obliterates the one that did not meet expectations.”

“Being an artist, the ego gets involved, so it is important to keep in mind that the client is trusting you to do your best and create for them something they will be proud of for the rest of their life. That should be humbling, and an exciting challenge,” added Pat.

Pat concluded: “The most important thing I’ll say is that walking into a studio with a photo on your phone and demanding a low bid to replicate it will start off the encounter poorly. Far better to look online for portfolios of tattooists whose work you like, then bring them several ideas and photos of tattoos you like and ask them to create something ORIGINAL for you. If you want an artist’s best work, give them room to be creative. You’ll get a result you can be proud to wear.”

Appointments available with ME !