FabSwingers.com forum: Your first tattoo

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Currently researching ideas for my first tattoo.

For you who have tattoos, how did you decide on what your first one would be?

And where on the body did you choose and why?

Did you get an artist to do up a sketch beforehand to come up with ideas or did you just go straight in and get it done?

I’d need to get it somewhere discreet for work purposes

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By *ealitybitesMan
over a year ago

Belfast

I was 50 before I even thought about having one. Added to it a couple of years ago. It's a shoulder and chest piece and was partly in memory of my mum who had just passed away and partly as a reminder to myself of my journey.

I had an idea and the tattoo artist drew it up but half the size I actually wanted so he had to redo it before starting.

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By *rmrs1234Couple
over a year ago

Waterford

I got my first tattoo way too young. Its now been covered. My last tattoo was the length of my leg and i spent about a year and half redoing it before i was satisfied. I have about ten now and a couple are pretty big. My back and leg can be covered. Inner arms not so much

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Got my first tattoo a few years ago, had wanted one for years but couldn't decide what. Came home one evening to see a drawing my son had done and that was my first tattoo. Have had two small ones done since and hoping next one will be on my leg another drawing my son has done

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Got mine a good few years ago. Had wanted one fir a long time but couldn’t find the one I wanted. Tried loads of places. Went into a tattoo parlour with a friend of mine and while he was getting his done I was looking at some in a hook. A man working there came over and asked what I was looking for. I showed him one from the hook but said what changes I wanted. He sketched it there and then and it was exactly what I was after. The rest is history. Got it in my arm. Can be hidden if needed for work. I didn’t get it to show it off. I got it because I wanted it for me.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

1st was a dragon on my arm

2nd a panther on my back

3rd A sword with a snake wrapped around it on my back

4th a matching panther on my back.

5th arm and chest piece.

All these by the time I was 23 I think.

Then at 31 I went again.

Ended up covering the dragon and done 2 sleeves.

October 2020 I started a full back piece to cover tattoo 2,3 & 4.

2 sessions in approx 5 to go. COVID is delaying progress.

Once the back is done I'm debating to cover the arm and chest 1.

All in I'm close to 9k. Madness some may think but each to there own.

Moral of the story - think long and hard before you ink up.

And yes they hurt. People who say different are liars.lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Kaizer has far too many

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By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

Got mine on my birthday 3 yrs ago on my left shoulder.Its my favorite animal and I brought in a picture from a David Attenborough documentary to show the artist.

I forgot that if I'm wearing a white shirt in work you can see it which has led to a few funny conversations

I was hoping to add a few more this year and was thinking of a blue mask with the numbers 2020 sticking out behind it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Its my favorite animal..... "

Portia the shexy sheep?

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By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"Its my favorite animal.....

Portia the shexy sheep?

As she came out of the oven

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Its my favorite animal.....

Portia the shexy sheep?

As she came out of the oven

You're a ruthless man BP!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks for all the stories folks!

I’ve been ruminating on it for three years now and had a few ideas but never went ahead as o don’t know any artist friends or anything and I just dilly dally all the time on even knowing how to decide on a tattoo place to do it.

The few ideas I initially had last year are quite deep in a way or reflect my personality but could be cool but I’d need them pulled out of my imagination onto paper. Not something I can find in a book or online.

But then last night I was chatting to a girl and she asked what animal would best represent me and I had an answer nearly straight away so now I’ve started looking into that. Seems to make sense but I don’t want the tattoo to be too “angry looking” or “dark” if you know what I mean. Yea, I wouldn’t be getting it to show off at all but mainly for me as something I’d want to “break free” and do. But also I want it to look really cool too let’s be honest

I’ve been thinking about getting it on my left chest area. Thoughts? I know it’ll be white sore to get done. More in terms of what that area would be like to have one in terms of being a wise choice?

And would I need to think about my body shape potentially changing much? Maybe need to be in better shape before doing it?!

I’d also be the first in any of my direct family to get one so it feels like a bigger deal than it might for lots of people.

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By *iablo soloWoman
over a year ago

over younder

Got my first and only tattoo when I was 18....so a long time ago!! It was a devil.... (very "of it's time"!) Little did I know then just how relevant it would be to my life today!!

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By *rmrs1234Couple
over a year ago

Waterford

"Thanks for all the stories folks!

And would I need to think about my body shape potentially changing much? Maybe need to be in better shape before doing it?!

I’d also be the first in any of my direct family to get one so it feels like a bigger deal than it might for lots of people. "

chest area is ok. Ribs and stomach hurt like hell. Also it will be down to your pain threshold. Personally I would not get a tattoo unless i was 100% sure of what i wanted.

In terms of being in "better shape". Are you planning on building muscle or gaining weight in any way in the near future

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Got my first and only tattoo when I was 18....so a long time ago!! It was a devil.... (very "of it's time"!) Little did I know then just how relevant it would be to my life today!!"

Haha! You’re a soothsayer

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Thanks for all the stories folks!

And would I need to think about my body shape potentially changing much? Maybe need to be in better shape before doing it?!

I’d also be the first in any of my direct family to get one so it feels like a bigger deal than it might for lots of people.

chest area is ok. Ribs and stomach hurt like hell. Also it will be down to your pain threshold. Personally I would not get a tattoo unless i was 100% sure of what i wanted.

Cool so chest might be ok then?

I can tolerate lots of pain due to numerous operations and hospital visits thankfully.

In terms of being in "better shape". Are you planning on building muscle or gaining weight in any way in the near future"

I was never really into weight training and have never bulked. But I’d like to be a small bit tighter in the chest area - realistically is that gonna happen??

Probably not

You’re right about being totally sure. That’s what has kept me back. I’m an awful overthinker tho

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I started at 18.. since then ive got both shoulders done (traced).. between my shoulder blades and both legs from the knee down done (free hand) and my chest(razor blade and indian ink)

Going to get both sleeves done.. hopefully this year

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By *og-ManMan
over a year ago

somewhere

"I started at 18.. since then ive got both shoulders done (traced).. between my shoulder blades and both legs from the knee down done (free hand) and my chest(razor blade and indian ink)

Going to get both sleeves done.. hopefully this year"

Great tattoo's...do they mean anything or is it just the design you liked

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Left shoulder was my first, a design out of a book, circular design..

Right shoulder is a design off a favourite double lp, the om symbol.

Shoulders blades is my own design that was in my head all that year 1998..

Chest is my sons name

Right leg is myself and my wifes star signs surrounded by the infinity symbol

Left leg is my son and daughters star signs surrounded by the infinity symbol..

All tattoos represent a place in time for me..

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I started at 18.. since then ive got both shoulders done (traced).. between my shoulder blades and both legs from the knee down done (free hand) and my chest(razor blade and indian ink)

Going to get both sleeves done.. hopefully this year"

Your going for it anyway!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I started at 18.. since then ive got both shoulders done (traced).. between my shoulder blades and both legs from the knee down done (free hand) and my chest(razor blade and indian ink)

Going to get both sleeves done.. hopefully this year

Your going for it anyway!

*you’re

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I started at 18.. since then ive got both shoulders done (traced).. between my shoulder blades and both legs from the knee down done (free hand) and my chest(razor blade and indian ink)

Going to get both sleeves done.. hopefully this year

Your going for it anyway!

Go to someone that is recommended and does original designs.. nothing worse than a gammy tattoo

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

The first cut is the deepest, baby i know..

Outline is a bitch..

Filling in isnt so bad

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Tattoos are depends on your taste of art and do it original rather than some copy paste....I have done one shoulder piece(Ancient Asian) and one leg(Polynesian)......

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By *iablo soloWoman
over a year ago

over younder

"Got my first and only tattoo when I was 18....so a long time ago!! It was a devil.... (very "of it's time"!) Little did I know then just how relevant it would be to my life today!!

Haha! You’re a soothsayer

I might just start charging for my services! Soothsayer services that is....jeeze....!

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By *cottybear74Man
over a year ago

kilkenny

I designed my own for my first that was 28 years ago

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By *hett and scarlettCouple
over a year ago

Dublin

"Currently researching ideas for my first tattoo.

For you who have tattoos, how did you decide on what your first one would be?

And where on the body did you choose and why?

Did you get an artist to do up a sketch beforehand to come up with ideas or did you just go straight in and get it done?

I’d need to get it somewhere discreet for work purposes "

Take time to decide on a style in case you want to expand (you probably will). Pick colour or b&w and placement is important because tattoos are a little little Pringles, one you pop.

I was 18 when I got my first and Scarlett was 16. Both hated our firsts as they were picked from books in artists studios with no meaning or purpose. I continued to pick random shit for years until I got my head together and started researching and planning ink. Got all that early shit coveted up now with much better work (except for two small pieces).

Also, don’t go cheap. Find a good artist and pay that but more for quality work.

Also recommend that you check out Tattoo Johnny to sample styles and find the type of ink that appeals.

Just don’t rush it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Scrolled through arm sleeve designs and then tweeked the idea of the one I wanted to incorporate stuff on it that meant something to me . Currently well affer this covid to get a few more . Wish I had got more but I will . Mrs has some too

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By *orny-angelWoman
over a year ago

somewhere

I designed my own piece.

Then few years later went searching for right artist.

You get what you pay for & research the artists style or what they are great at - danger asking black & white specialist to do water colour etc.

Set up a board on pinterest or similar to pin styles or items you like. Go through it every once in a while & delete what no longer catches your eye, that way when you go to someone they have better idea what you want. I give main idea but then let artist finish work as they can say this piece would work great here due to bodies natural curve or this placement would work better but still remains covered.

1st one was on ribs- 2.5hrs I sat before I had to call it quits. Was due to get it retouched this year & get another piece but other stuff came up. Next one is sternum.

Most dont even know I have 1.

Get what speaks to you & you really like not others or you will end up covering & really look at artists portfolio

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was 24 yrs ago...I still remember the big bald dude trying to make a joke telling me the room is at the back so they wont hear me scream out front. So mean.

The tattoo itself was a small tribal thing which had no meaning really at the time..

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By *ouble Trouble 1000Couple
over a year ago

ireland

Had always wanted a tattoo and finally after years of deciding what I wanted, got an artist to draw up my design.Went in a week later and got it done ,absolutely love it and glad I waited until I found something that really meant something to me .Its small enough to easily hide but big enough to appreciate

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By *oo32Man
over a year ago

tipperary

Small band on my arm....its covered now...I picked it out of a book because it looked cool....a bad idea,

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By *aggie MaeWoman
over a year ago

Just out and about

Research images online, you will see plenty of images to choose from

That's how I found what I wanted

I've got one fairly big one down my side from my rib cage to my hip and make sure you go to a recommended tattoo artist

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've loads . Just find a theme and run with it or even better look up artists on Instagram and find a person and stick with them . Happy tattooing

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Thanks for all the most recent responses all. I’ve read them all and made some notes. Instagram seems to be a good idea and to follow a theme and make sure I am sure I’ll like.

It’s funny that a couple of days I was much more convinced of my idea and today I’m wondering if it’s too big and bold!

At least I can’t make any rash decisions at the minute with lockdown

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"I've loads . Just find a theme and run with it or even better look up artists on Instagram and find a person and stick with them . Happy tattooing "

Yours look to really suit you from the limited angles I can see from your pics. I really like tattoos on a woman

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was looking at ideas for probably 3/4 years before actually getting one, my advice, if you're truly picky about it and can't decide on the right one, don't get one. My first ink turned out to be something of tremendous sentimental value and was nothing like I'd ever invisioned. Sort of just fell into my lap one day due to unforseen circumstances and took it from there

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In the middle of getting of getting full sleeve and chest and absolutely love it. And a few from when I was a kid covered up in the process. Could get addicted quite easily though lol

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By *ineapple_PrincessWoman
over a year ago

in the waves

My first was on the top of my foot, it's was a fairly hasty decision but i dont regret it. It hurt like a mofo but I still went on to get 3 more after,albeit in less painful places. You can easily become addicted to them imo.

I haven't had any new ink in 15 years but I'd love to get a couple of cover ups done. I'm way more cautious now and can't make up my mind so that's why I havent done it.

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By *vpamelaTV/TS
over a year ago

kinkville

Just uploaded a pic of a tattoo was thinking of getting. Has to be discreet but feminine.

Would love some feed back.

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