My ink story: what it's really like to get a tattoo
I'll admit it, I was absolutely petrified when I got my first tattoo. I had no idea what to expect, so it was a pretty overwhelming experience at first. Are you going through the same thing, or are you just curious about what all the hype is about? Read on to hear all about my tattoo story.
Finding the perfect tattoo artist was very important to me, as it should be for everyone. I searched through social media to find someone who specialised in black dotwork pieces and was over the moon to find a studio, The Gilded Quill, that had multiple artists that did. I went with an artist called Blakey, who is a very popular artist and has a high amount of Instagram followers. As soon as I saw his page, I messaged him describing exactly what I wanted – this included size and placement. Giving a detailed description of sizing and an idea of what I wanted ensured I was given accurate pricing. You should always let your tattoo artist have a bit of freedom with the design, which is why it is important to pick an artist who you trust and has a style you love.
Due to my artist’s popularity, I had to wait just under a month to get my tattoo. I popped into the studio to see Blakey during this time to discuss what I wanted. He took a picture of my arm and used an app to place roses he had previously designed onto my arm to get an idea of where I wanted them to be as well as the style. A couple of weeks later, he sent me the actual design, which he had done directly onto the picture of my arm using his iPad. However, I wouldn’t say this is standard procedure as you’re likely to get the design on a plain background. I loved the design and didn't want to change a thing about it, although he would have been happy to if I had asked.
On the day of getting the tattoo, I was extremely nervous. It's quite a big piece that spans most of my inner forearm and has quite a lot of detailing, so I knew I would be sitting in the chair for a few hours. I had made sure to have a sugary
drink beforehand and had a full stomach so I wouldn't feel faint. After a quick chat, Blakey printed off the design and stuck it onto my arm slowly before I checked if I liked the placement. I was happy with it on the first try, and seeing the design on me made me even more excited.
The process took a couple of hours, but it actually went very quickly. The tattoo artist was very chatty, and I had brought my friend for support. I will say it hurt, which is the question everyone asks me first and foremost. It wasn't unbearable at all though, it was just a very hot feeling that was similar to having a sunburn scratched. Some areas hurt more than others, especially near the wrist, but it wasn't as bad as I expected at all. We had breaks in between the outline and the dotwork, so it wasn't constant pain. Overall, it really was a great experience that has far from put me off from getting more. My tattoo cost £90 as well as a £10 tip. Tips aren't expected, but are much appreciated as the studio takes a cut out of every artist's payment.
I’ve now had my tattoo for over a year, and I absolutely love it. So much so that I got another one in December! Yes, it hurt and it was incredibly nerve-racking, but I’ve been left with two beautiful pieces of artwork that I’ll treasure forever. If you're looking for more tips and tricks for first timers, read my other article for more information.