I’ve been talking to an old friend that’s a tattoo artist who’s pretty straight-shooting and no-bullshit in his attitudes about some of the trends we see among top artists these days. The one that I whole-heartedly agree with is this tendency to fill portfolios with pieces that couldn’t possibly heal well, but look great fresh. Tattoos that look incredible the day they’re done — bright color realism with almost no black-shading is a good example of stuff that often turns into a faded out nothing in time — but looks like garbage when it’s healed. I’ll quote some of what he said, keeping things anonymous because I’m not looking to point fingers here.
There is a very ugly tendancy today in tattoo business of taking pictures of fresh tattoos, doing realism that will look like shit in twenty years — or in four months even — and going from convention to convention, making 100% black money, with no touch-ups, no follow-up of clientele. Those are the most famous artists in the world. I have no problem doing tribal [edit: he is referring to an image I posted of a “less than inspired” tattoo that I spoke ill of] for people who ask. If I can’t change their mind, I’ll do it. It allows me to keep cool pricing for everybody, to keep tattoo art something it SHOULD remain, that is, a POPULAR art form.
You can build up a realistic tattoo that is stable — P*** A*** and J*** G*** can do it, so it’s possible, but when you see older tattoos from D*** or S*** [edit: he’s naming top artists here and I don’t need another lawsuit], it’s nowhere that impressive. As a matter of fact, the “convention” tattoo artists don’t give a fuck, at least, a solid majority of them don’t. When you work mostly in your shop, you see people again, and therefore you can’t afford to mess up that bad. I would even say that *** *** Inks, as a whole concept, are just done for that — put in a single-pass easy color that will look cool till you’re paid, took your photo, and took part in the “Best of Day” competition… but it’s just the worst shit I’ve ever used. It’s a whole culture that is taking over, and it’s a shame, because everybody feels forced to adapt to it.
I agree whole-heartedly. Although I can’t say whether “convention artists” doing these pieces that fail once they heal are willfully committing fraud when they fill their portfolio with fresh pieces that look nothing like the healed examples, but that is what it amounts to, intended or not. I want to show the example that my friend shared with me. This is a fresh tattoo on the left from a well-respected artist, and on the right, the same tattoo not long afterwards. And to be honest, this example isn’t even that bad. I’ve seen loads of tattoos that fresh look world-class — I mean, the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen — from “name brand” tattoo masters, that look like scratcher garbage when healed.
If a tattoo artist’s portfolio contains nothing but fresh photos, consider it a warning sign — to say nothing of being paranoid about Photoshopping to pump up saturation and levels. And if your tattoo artist can not show you well-healed examples of their work, they are not someone you should be going to. You do not have the luxury of wearing a photograph of the fresh tattoo. You will be spending your life with the healed version, and if it doesn’t stand up to what you were expecting, it is you that will suffer. Insist on seeing healed photos!
Click to see that picture a little larger of course.
Edit/Update: Because I am sick and tired of people STILL claiming this is deception on my part, here are screencaps from Facebook showing both images in the tattoo artist’s gallery, full unedited versions, including the name of the artist. They may well have pulled the images by now, but these screen caps are accurate. Damn all the haters for dragging the artist’s name into this, because that was never the point of this.
Comments
260 responses to “Fraud in Tattooing”
I’m so glad I gave up on this site years ago.
This should not apply to everyone. I’ve seen some killer photo realistic tattoos 10+ years old and they still look great
What we should really be looking at is getting the work done (realistic, traditional, etc) by an artist who is experienced on working ink properly into the skin.
I’m so glad I gave up on this site years ago.
This should not apply to everyone. I’ve seen some killer photo realistic tattoos 10+ years old and they still look great
What we should really be looking at is getting the work done (realistic, traditional, etc) by an artist who is experienced on working ink properly into the skin.
nevermind…just saw the overlay thing Shannon….jesus…..i dont understand how something could get so washed out like that?!?!?!
nevermind…just saw the overlay thing Shannon….jesus…..i dont understand how something could get so washed out like that?!?!?!
nevermind…just saw the overlay thing Shannon….jesus…..i dont understand how something could get so washed out like that?!?!?!
nevermind…just saw the overlay thing Shannon….jesus…..i dont understand how something could get so washed out like that?!?!?!
Vincent, absolutely not. There are lots of tattoo artists who can put in great tattoos that last. If you want to know whose work lasts, ask to see healed examples.
Lily, yes, these two pictures are the same tattoo, taken about 4 months apart as far as I know.
Vincent, absolutely not. There are lots of tattoo artists who can put in great tattoos that last. If you want to know whose work lasts, ask to see healed examples.
Lily, yes, these two pictures are the same tattoo, taken about 4 months apart as far as I know.
Vincent, absolutely not. There are lots of tattoo artists who can put in great tattoos that last. If you want to know whose work lasts, ask to see healed examples.
Lily, yes, these two pictures are the same tattoo, taken about 4 months apart as far as I know.
Vincent, absolutely not. There are lots of tattoo artists who can put in great tattoos that last. If you want to know whose work lasts, ask to see healed examples.
Lily, yes, these two pictures are the same tattoo, taken about 4 months apart as far as I know.
i guess this is why the sailor jerry stuff will never fade bc that imagery always looks amazing years down the line bc of the bold line? Ive been getting a lot of trad black and gray and bold line work in hopes that 30 years from now they will look aged, bt not sad and faded like this. thanks for heads up abt healed pics vs. no healed. i had no idea.
i guess this is why the sailor jerry stuff will never fade bc that imagery always looks amazing years down the line bc of the bold line? Ive been getting a lot of trad black and gray and bold line work in hopes that 30 years from now they will look aged, bt not sad and faded like this. thanks for heads up abt healed pics vs. no healed. i had no idea.
i guess this is why the sailor jerry stuff will never fade bc that imagery always looks amazing years down the line bc of the bold line? Ive been getting a lot of trad black and gray and bold line work in hopes that 30 years from now they will look aged, bt not sad and faded like this. thanks for heads up abt healed pics vs. no healed. i had no idea.
i guess this is why the sailor jerry stuff will never fade bc that imagery always looks amazing years down the line bc of the bold line? Ive been getting a lot of trad black and gray and bold line work in hopes that 30 years from now they will look aged, bt not sad and faded like this. thanks for heads up abt healed pics vs. no healed. i had no idea.
I have a tattoo that has no outlines and was never a bold tattoo. Years later, it still looks just as good as after it was first healed.
I have a tattoo that has no outlines and was never a bold tattoo. Years later, it still looks just as good as after it was first healed.
I have a tattoo that has no outlines and was never a bold tattoo. Years later, it still looks just as good as after it was first healed.
I have a tattoo that has no outlines and was never a bold tattoo. Years later, it still looks just as good as after it was first healed.
Remarkable. I saw the picture and headline and thought it was going to be about a rip-off – I never would have guessed them to be the same tattoo.
Is it to do with the technique or inks used in this ‘realistic’ style that makes it so impermanent? And what sort (if any) of legal comeback would the customer have in this case?
Remarkable. I saw the picture and headline and thought it was going to be about a rip-off – I never would have guessed them to be the same tattoo.
Is it to do with the technique or inks used in this ‘realistic’ style that makes it so impermanent? And what sort (if any) of legal comeback would the customer have in this case?
Remarkable. I saw the picture and headline and thought it was going to be about a rip-off – I never would have guessed them to be the same tattoo.
Is it to do with the technique or inks used in this ‘realistic’ style that makes it so impermanent? And what sort (if any) of legal comeback would the customer have in this case?
Remarkable. I saw the picture and headline and thought it was going to be about a rip-off – I never would have guessed them to be the same tattoo.
Is it to do with the technique or inks used in this ‘realistic’ style that makes it so impermanent? And what sort (if any) of legal comeback would the customer have in this case?
I say that’s not the same tattoo – the shape of the “nose”, the eyes and even the hair on the right side of the head look totally different
I say that’s not the same tattoo – the shape of the “nose”, the eyes and even the hair on the right side of the head look totally different
I say that’s not the same tattoo – the shape of the “nose”, the eyes and even the hair on the right side of the head look totally different
I say that’s not the same tattoo – the shape of the “nose”, the eyes and even the hair on the right side of the head look totally different
Thanks for the informative post. I’m thinking of getting my first tattoo and had no idea to even consider this possibility. Thanks for making me more aware.
Thanks for the informative post. I’m thinking of getting my first tattoo and had no idea to even consider this possibility. Thanks for making me more aware.
Thanks for the informative post. I’m thinking of getting my first tattoo and had no idea to even consider this possibility. Thanks for making me more aware.
Thanks for the informative post. I’m thinking of getting my first tattoo and had no idea to even consider this possibility. Thanks for making me more aware.
I have to play devil’s advocate here for just a moment….Yes, I agree an artist should have some healed photos, but how can we be certain that an artist is solely to blame for how the healed tattoo looks? Aftercare is uber important. The best tattoo artist can do the best tattoo ever, but if the person doesn’t care for it right during healing or after (aka going tanning) the artist is in no way responsible for the failure of the piece.
I have to play devil’s advocate here for just a moment….Yes, I agree an artist should have some healed photos, but how can we be certain that an artist is solely to blame for how the healed tattoo looks? Aftercare is uber important. The best tattoo artist can do the best tattoo ever, but if the person doesn’t care for it right during healing or after (aka going tanning) the artist is in no way responsible for the failure of the piece.
I have to play devil’s advocate here for just a moment….Yes, I agree an artist should have some healed photos, but how can we be certain that an artist is solely to blame for how the healed tattoo looks? Aftercare is uber important. The best tattoo artist can do the best tattoo ever, but if the person doesn’t care for it right during healing or after (aka going tanning) the artist is in no way responsible for the failure of the piece.
I have to play devil’s advocate here for just a moment….Yes, I agree an artist should have some healed photos, but how can we be certain that an artist is solely to blame for how the healed tattoo looks? Aftercare is uber important. The best tattoo artist can do the best tattoo ever, but if the person doesn’t care for it right during healing or after (aka going tanning) the artist is in no way responsible for the failure of the piece.
I noticed this trend quite a few years back, with hopes of it dying a quick death. So sad it didn’t.
We have an “artist” in my area that made his name on these, and his popularity has spawned a plague of these locally from copycats looking to get over quick. “Good from far, but far from good” tattoos I call them, very paint by numbers in their execution.
Such a shame, cause the concepts are killer and could be crushed by a legit artist.
Makes the phrase “A solid tattoo” ring louder more now than ever.
I noticed this trend quite a few years back, with hopes of it dying a quick death. So sad it didn’t.
We have an “artist” in my area that made his name on these, and his popularity has spawned a plague of these locally from copycats looking to get over quick. “Good from far, but far from good” tattoos I call them, very paint by numbers in their execution.
Such a shame, cause the concepts are killer and could be crushed by a legit artist.
Makes the phrase “A solid tattoo” ring louder more now than ever.
I noticed this trend quite a few years back, with hopes of it dying a quick death. So sad it didn’t.
We have an “artist” in my area that made his name on these, and his popularity has spawned a plague of these locally from copycats looking to get over quick. “Good from far, but far from good” tattoos I call them, very paint by numbers in their execution.
Such a shame, cause the concepts are killer and could be crushed by a legit artist.
Makes the phrase “A solid tattoo” ring louder more now than ever.
I noticed this trend quite a few years back, with hopes of it dying a quick death. So sad it didn’t.
We have an “artist” in my area that made his name on these, and his popularity has spawned a plague of these locally from copycats looking to get over quick. “Good from far, but far from good” tattoos I call them, very paint by numbers in their execution.
Such a shame, cause the concepts are killer and could be crushed by a legit artist.
Makes the phrase “A solid tattoo” ring louder more now than ever.
these are two different tattoos.. its not the same tattoo.. the one on the left is the first one, and the one on the right is a copied one by a less experienced tattooer.. just look at it closely, certain things aren’t even shaped the same…look at the teeth.. not the same amount.. the shading inside the nose.. the one on the left has light shading inside but the supposed healed one on the right side, the shading inside the nose is dark.. which would have healed lighter than the one on the left.. even the shading on the bottom right side of the jar.. the shanding is clearly different, even the structure of the hair in that area…. TWO DIFFERENT TATTOOS… which is another thing going around in the industry… hacks copying more experienced tattooers pieces……
these are two different tattoos.. its not the same tattoo.. the one on the left is the first one, and the one on the right is a copied one by a less experienced tattooer.. just look at it closely, certain things aren’t even shaped the same…look at the teeth.. not the same amount.. the shading inside the nose.. the one on the left has light shading inside but the supposed healed one on the right side, the shading inside the nose is dark.. which would have healed lighter than the one on the left.. even the shading on the bottom right side of the jar.. the shanding is clearly different, even the structure of the hair in that area…. TWO DIFFERENT TATTOOS… which is another thing going around in the industry… hacks copying more experienced tattooers pieces……
these are two different tattoos.. its not the same tattoo.. the one on the left is the first one, and the one on the right is a copied one by a less experienced tattooer.. just look at it closely, certain things aren’t even shaped the same…look at the teeth.. not the same amount.. the shading inside the nose.. the one on the left has light shading inside but the supposed healed one on the right side, the shading inside the nose is dark.. which would have healed lighter than the one on the left.. even the shading on the bottom right side of the jar.. the shanding is clearly different, even the structure of the hair in that area…. TWO DIFFERENT TATTOOS… which is another thing going around in the industry… hacks copying more experienced tattooers pieces……
these are two different tattoos.. its not the same tattoo.. the one on the left is the first one, and the one on the right is a copied one by a less experienced tattooer.. just look at it closely, certain things aren’t even shaped the same…look at the teeth.. not the same amount.. the shading inside the nose.. the one on the left has light shading inside but the supposed healed one on the right side, the shading inside the nose is dark.. which would have healed lighter than the one on the left.. even the shading on the bottom right side of the jar.. the shanding is clearly different, even the structure of the hair in that area…. TWO DIFFERENT TATTOOS… which is another thing going around in the industry… hacks copying more experienced tattooers pieces……
count the teeth. this is 2 different tattoos, also look at the amount of black on the right side., again not the same. the real problem is people ripping off someone elses tattoos and not producing the same results
count the teeth. this is 2 different tattoos, also look at the amount of black on the right side., again not the same. the real problem is people ripping off someone elses tattoos and not producing the same results
count the teeth. this is 2 different tattoos, also look at the amount of black on the right side., again not the same. the real problem is people ripping off someone elses tattoos and not producing the same results
count the teeth. this is 2 different tattoos, also look at the amount of black on the right side., again not the same. the real problem is people ripping off someone elses tattoos and not producing the same results
Application is key, thats for sure. Yes, the pic on the left looks impressive, but it’s obviously not fully saturated to have that “holding up” look in the future. BTW, if you work in a tourist destination, it’s hard to get healed pics when 90% of your clientelle are from somewhere else. Another thing that’s not being mentioned- as She Dreams of Ink brings up- how do we know the client took proper care of the tattoo during the healing process? It actually looks like it got quite a bit of sun-damage during those precious few weeks following the procedure, or perhaps a dip in the pool on a hot day was involved 2 days after the procedure. Sometimes there are allergic reactions to whatever product the artist recommends, and the client just keeps using it without following up with the artist. There are plenty of variables to consider for sure, not necessarily at the hands of the artist alone.
Application is key, thats for sure. Yes, the pic on the left looks impressive, but it’s obviously not fully saturated to have that “holding up” look in the future. BTW, if you work in a tourist destination, it’s hard to get healed pics when 90% of your clientelle are from somewhere else. Another thing that’s not being mentioned- as She Dreams of Ink brings up- how do we know the client took proper care of the tattoo during the healing process? It actually looks like it got quite a bit of sun-damage during those precious few weeks following the procedure, or perhaps a dip in the pool on a hot day was involved 2 days after the procedure. Sometimes there are allergic reactions to whatever product the artist recommends, and the client just keeps using it without following up with the artist. There are plenty of variables to consider for sure, not necessarily at the hands of the artist alone.
Application is key, thats for sure. Yes, the pic on the left looks impressive, but it’s obviously not fully saturated to have that “holding up” look in the future. BTW, if you work in a tourist destination, it’s hard to get healed pics when 90% of your clientelle are from somewhere else. Another thing that’s not being mentioned- as She Dreams of Ink brings up- how do we know the client took proper care of the tattoo during the healing process? It actually looks like it got quite a bit of sun-damage during those precious few weeks following the procedure, or perhaps a dip in the pool on a hot day was involved 2 days after the procedure. Sometimes there are allergic reactions to whatever product the artist recommends, and the client just keeps using it without following up with the artist. There are plenty of variables to consider for sure, not necessarily at the hands of the artist alone.
Application is key, thats for sure. Yes, the pic on the left looks impressive, but it’s obviously not fully saturated to have that “holding up” look in the future. BTW, if you work in a tourist destination, it’s hard to get healed pics when 90% of your clientelle are from somewhere else. Another thing that’s not being mentioned- as She Dreams of Ink brings up- how do we know the client took proper care of the tattoo during the healing process? It actually looks like it got quite a bit of sun-damage during those precious few weeks following the procedure, or perhaps a dip in the pool on a hot day was involved 2 days after the procedure. Sometimes there are allergic reactions to whatever product the artist recommends, and the client just keeps using it without following up with the artist. There are plenty of variables to consider for sure, not necessarily at the hands of the artist alone.