I'm a middle-aged man and I want my first tattoo
I've given a lot of thought to what my tattoo(s) would say. Since they're stuck on me for life, they need to be meaningful.
For sure, I know I want a tattoo that says "timshel" which comes from East of Eden by John Steinbeck. There's a whole beautiful verse in the book about the meaning of timshel, which the author explains translates to "thou mayest" -- or, we can choose our destiny. Caveats: I'm not religious, and I understand that Steinbeck didn't get the translation quite right. But I don't care about that -- it's the verse itself and the meaning behind it that is so powerful to me. I want the "Steinbeck timshel," not the actual Biblical translation.
If there will be a second tattoo in the future, I'm leaning toward "this too shall pass" but I'm not quite as certain on that one.
Since I'm a tattoo virgin, I have all sorts of questions:
- Where's the best place to get a "timshel" tattoo?
- So what do I do, just mock something up in Adobe Illustrator or tell the artist "here's what I want in this font"? Or do they have a bunch of presets?
- How do I find a good tattoo artist?
- At this stage in life, should I rethink this scheme altogether?
EDIT: I want this/these tattoos to serve as reminders for myself, not to show off to other people. Not that I care if other people see them... Not sure if that helps with placement.
You didn't say where you were located but in answer to some of your questions
The way to find a good local tattooist is to ask around. Find people with tattoos that you like and ask them. I can assure you that 90% of them will be more than happy to talk to you and tell you about their favourite artist.
As for mocking up your design, yes, the tattooist is not a mind reader and while they will try to get a very good idea of what you need in the end that design is in your head, so a picture is worth a 1000 words.
Also when you go to see the tattooist, look at their work as well, everyone specialises in something and if they can't help they will usually recommend someone who does.
And most importantly be sure that you want it. I usually wait a year or so from planning to getting the tattoo, so that I make sure I'm sure
Also good luck, enjoy it and welcome to the club.
(63 and just planning my 7th piece)
They don't have to be meaningful beyond "I like it." But it is helpful for a first tattoo when processing the (relatively) permanent alteration of your skin. After my first tattoo the rest were picked out on a whim usually conceived of and executed within 24-48 hours.
I usually compile a folder of "inspo" picks. That communicate vibes and styles I like. Then I'll shop around by looking at artists on instagram. Determine who has a style that aligns most with the content in your inspo folder.
If they're close by, swing by their shop. Feel out the vibe, cleanliness, etc. It's also a good opportunity to tell them that you're interested in a tattoo, that you have some ideas, etc. You can leave it at that or if you decide to continue with that artist you'll likely leave a deposit and email them your inspo folder. Some will have you come back in to discuss ideas, they might sketch some quick doodles to prompt ideas, you can workshop locations etc.
They should provide some mock ups to you at some point. Mockups will usually be line art, how the line art is shaded out is where the artist's style really comes in. You might really like the line art, but when a realism artist starts shading it's going to be realism. A new american artist will do their thing. You'll have to use your mind's eye a bit to take the work you've seen of the artist's and apply it to the line art mock up.
Day of they'll take the mock ups, print them, and you will try them out on different parts of your body. Pay close attention to size and orientation. When you've picked a good size, location, and orientation they should then print a transferable stencil that they apply to your skin. You will get another chance to inspect it in the mirror, what you approve here is what they will begin tattooing. At any point if you are uncomfortable or want to check the progress let the artist know. They will stop and let you inspect what has been completed so far. Do not my shy about altering course.
A quick story about my second tattoo: it was covid, a new shop opened up near by and because of covid they had some great deals. Flipping through their flash on instagram I found a nice leaf and acorn piece and decided I liked the idea of it on my calf. I messaged saying I was interested in the piece and he said I could come in to chat. I liked the line art but he was a realism guy. I kind of told him that I didn't want much shading done and to keep it simple. He got the line art done and I inspected it, it looked great. I again said "let's keep the shading simple" he did a bit of work and again stopped to say he wanted me to take a look and direct him a bit more. As a realism artist he was doing what he knows how to do. He was doing what simple meant in his style. So we regrouped I told him that I wanted more solid blacks and less contoured shading. he took the feedback and went back over it.
The result is a tattoo I really like and it's probably the reason the rest of my work is pretty ad hoc, I like the collaboration and I like to see the artist's style come through. I've learned that my initial reaction to change is always nitpicking and every tattoo I have has little things that no one else could notice that I didn't like initially because it wasn't "perfect." But now I like those things, it's the fingerprints of the artists to did the work a reminder of the conversations and time I spent on their chair.
My brother is heavily tatooed (and I have none). He told me that everyone's first tatoo is something like "it represents the frail mortality and the passage of time, and deeply reminds me of a difficult time in my life that shaped who I am today". Then by the time you have a dozen, the thought process becomes "well it's a sausage because I like sausages".
The awesome thing about getting older is that once you're past the "nothing to prove" phase you can do things like getting tattoos with "no regerts" at all.
Do you know anyone with tattoos, and if so, did they get them done locally? Look up some shops near you and check out the artists' social media to see their work. Once you start talking to the artist they can design your idea and help brainstorm placement, etc. Every time I've gotten one it's always a conversation beforehand. From their perspective they're doing a piece of art and want to be proud of it.
There is no best place really. There are places you probably shouldn't get your first tattoo (forehead, for example) or places that are particularly painful (top of the foot, back of the knee), but no "best" place.
That said, placement is up to you and is dependent on how you want to view it or want it to be viewed. My tattoos are for me, to be viewed by me, so I don't have any on my back as I'm not going to stare backwards into a mirror to view the art I've paid to be put onto my skin. As a result, forearms are good if you want to see it regularly, upper arms and legs if you want to see it occasionally, etc.
Generally yes, and a good artist will tell you what is and isn't possible or will age well. The finer the line, the smaller the detail, the faster it will fade. So go with an idea, don't be upset if they tell you it won't work that way.
Ugh, social media. Primarily instagram in my experience, search your general area and the word tattoo. For something simple like text with no adornment you can probably just find a well reviewed if not social media savvy spot and walk-in, review their stuff, and go.
Nah. If anything, I'd suggest drawing up what you want, getting it printed as a temporary tattoo, apply it where you want it, and see if you still like it after a couple of weeks.
Placement is one of the more personal decisions when it comes to getting a tattoo (behind what you actually get lol).
To me, it comes down to a few things. You already said it's not for others, so putting it somewhere it will be seen isn't a priority.
Next is going to be how much pain you want to endure. I have one on my forearm, one on my thigh, and one on my calf that goes down and around my ankles. Forearm and thigh were both pretty easy (thigh has a lot of color and some that looks like marker, so by the end of the session it was def hurting). Calf was fine until it was on the achilles tendon and around the ankle bone. That was not pleasant. I've also heard inside of the forearm hurts a lot as well as the stomach. Anywhere that is on or near bone will hurt more. All that said, some shops offer a numbing spray or other ways to minimize pain, so you could inquire about that.
Finally, if you think what you want has particular meaning, putting it somewhere appropriate to add to that might be the way to go. For example, I've been wanting to get a tattoo related to my kid. I thought on my chest over my heart would be a great spot for it. I don't go shirtless very often, but it's for me not for other so having it seen isn't a big deal. Putting it there would make it mean something more to me. A saying or words you want to have as a reminder might be good to put somewhere you can see often. Top of your thigh maybe, or if you don't mind others seeing it forearm.
I don't think you're ever too old to start tattoos, and they are much more socially acceptable now than they were even 10 or 15 years ago.
Hey, I got my first one last year and had a good advice thread!
People mentioned it, but DO NOT be afraid to communicate what you want from your tattoo, and any changes you would like, and anything you would like during. I was freaking out because I wasn't absolutely 100% perfect with the sketch my artist did, but I realized I just wanted a couple lines changed, she made the modifications, I loved it afterwards, and I still love it. Going to a consultation this week to turn mine into a patchwork sleeve and add two more pieces!
Wow, it's kinda funny seeing that was a year ago actually, time flies! I just got my second one from the same artist a month ago in Japan lol.
The wrist can be a good location for this, albeit a painful one. Or the forearm. These locations would allow you to see the writing often.
One of my tattoos is on my chest, and the text is “mirrored” which allows me to read it in a mirror. But I can share a bit of my personal experience: all of my tattoos carry a meaning, and two of them contain text; but over the years I got so used to them that I never notice them or their text. This happened to other tattooed people I know; we simply forget we have any tattoos.
I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t get too hung up on finding the perfect placement for it.
text doesn’t really last unless it’s well-spaced like traditional tattoos.
i got a fine lined ship on my ribs a decade ago and eventually it’ll need a touch up or a full cover with a different style. fine lines just don’t last.
anyway, for text, i’d suggest sorting out an image that represents the same thing you want from the text.
the triangle with the line is really good for this.
tldr; most text fades and spreads
As a fellow non-tattooie, I just want to chip in that I love your choice and that Samuel is maybe my favorite character in all fiction. Timshel is a lovely first tattoo!
Thanks for posting this. I'm in a similar boat as you age wise and thinking about my first tattoo as well. My top contenders are: