Tattoo design [WIP]

Not finished yet, still got the background and a few details to do.
Just thought I'd get your opinions on it first. :)
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/790/imag0074g.th.jpg

Sorry for the poor quality, scanners not working had to take a picture on my phone, you get the idea though.

wow, not bad m8. I like the idea but i think it would be awesome if you add more shadings and details (:

Ok, I use to do japanese drawings so I can be of help. The skull you have in the top right side can easily be transformed into a japanese demon which would look a lot better for the flow and design of the tattoo. I like the idea of the "8" while the top part of the "8" is transformed into the rising sun. The dragon needs a bit of work. I'm assuming that the fish thing is a Koi fish. It needs a bit of work but the design is nice. Its a nice piece just needs a bit of work.

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Originally Posted by CrazyNine

Ok, I use to do japanese drawings so I can be of help. The skull you have in the top right side can easily be transformed into a japanese demon which would look a lot better for the flow and design of the tattoo. I like the idea of the "8" while the top part of the "8" is transformed into the rising sun. The dragon needs a bit of work. I'm assuming that the fish thing is a Koi fish. It needs a bit of work but the design is nice. Its a nice piece just needs a bit of work.

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Yea I've looked at those japanese demon things, doesn't really have the same meaning as a skull would though. Which is why I thought I would incorporate a different style in there, looking at it now it probably doesn't fit with the whole theme.
The dragon I was just going to add scales to, was having a few problems there so left them out for now, same with the Koi. Also adding waves around the Koi.

Wasn't going to add shading for now, I would assume it would make it more difficult to make into a tattoo, not sure exactly how it works though tbh.
:)
Anything else you think I could change or add?

I think it's a good design and you're a good artist :)

Tyson, I completely understand man. The one thing I can say about tattoos is that should be meaningful. I drew the one on my backside of my fore arm. If the skull has meaning then I'm sure you will know what to do when your ready to re-draw everything for your final product. The way your drawing you koi fish is very common style. I would suggest looking up Koi fish tattoos and look at the design and the way they got the water splashing. You doing the shading will only help the tattoo artist get a better idea because you can take what you have in now and ask them to give you suggestions man. It never hurts to ask them if they have been in the business for a good 15+ years. the main things I would work on would be the dragon and the koi. I think the skull will be but that's up to you man. When it comes to tattoos its all about what you want. The price is always a swift kick but its well worth it in the end. This is my tattoo that I drew up after my mother died from breast cancer.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5625/mytats.jpg

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Originally Posted by bcfcant

I think it's a good design and you're a good artist :)

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Thanks. :)

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Originally Posted by CrazyNine

Tyson, I completely understand man. The one thing I can say about tattoos is that should be meaningful. I drew the one on my backside of my fore arm. If the skull has meaning then I'm sure you will know what to do when your ready to re-draw everything for your final product. The way your drawing you koi fish is very common style. I would suggest looking up Koi fish tattoos and look at the design and the way they got the water splashing. You doing the shading will only help the tattoo artist get a better idea because you can take what you have in now and ask them to give you suggestions man. It never hurts to ask them if they have been in the business for a good 15+ years. the main things I would work on would be the dragon and the koi. I think the skull will be but that's up to you man. When it comes to tattoos its all about what you want. The price is always a swift kick but its well worth it in the end. This is my tattoo that I drew up after my mother died from breast cancer.

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It does have meaning but not as much as the rest, so I think I'll get rid of the skull for this one.
Which leaves me with a gap I'm not sure how to fill yet.
That's a nice tat mate, did you do colour and shading on your design or just asked the tattooist to do it?

I did it before getting it done. Well, depending on what the skull is man you can simply replace it with a japanese skull in the that style.

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Originally Posted by CrazyNine

I did it before getting it done. Well, depending on what the skull is man you can simply replace it with a japanese skull in the that style.

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I considered it but I researched the meaning of them and it's not something that really relates to me.

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Hannyas are terrestrial monsters. Confused human feelings like passion, jealousy or hate can transform women into these dreadful monsters. In the classic Nô-Theatre of Japan, where the as drafts often used Hannya masks descended from, stories of such female demons are told, who can only be released of their inhuman shape over the way to Buddha.

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lol...bro that's demon itself. If you look up the names of the demons then you find out the description of them. The demon itself might mean something else to you other than you what read about it.

I've decided to replace the skull with a samurai, filled in the background, shaded.
http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/2...ag0078v.th.jpg


The eye I'm not sure about, just photoshopped that in to see how it looked. Sorry for the poor quality, really should get my scanner sorted. :/

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7...078edit.th.jpg

It feels as if some parts are out of proportion, like the hands of the samurai are too small, the dragon's head is too small, the body of the fish too small. I would consider redrawing it more detailed if you were actually going to let someone tattoo it on your skin. Besides, I think the guys at your local tattoo store could draw out your concept a lot better.

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Originally Posted by Rai

It feels as if some parts are out of proportion, like the hands of the samurai are too small, the dragon's head is too small, the body of the fish too small. I would consider redrawing it more detailed if you were actually going to let someone tattoo it on your skin. Besides, I think the guys at your local tattoo store could draw out your concept a lot better.

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Thanks, yea I don't think I could draw it any more accuratley myself, I'm not that good at drawing.
I'll probably take a design in and ask them to redraw it for me like you said.
What do you think of the overall design though?

it looks cool but as Rai said stuff isnt in proportion but its a nice design does it have meaning or is it just something cool lookin ?

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Originally Posted by UnDeRoAtH

it looks cool but as Rai said stuff isnt in proportion but its a nice design does it have meaning or is it just something cool lookin ?

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Thanks, yea it does have quite a bit meaning better explained here http://ezinearticles.com/?Popular-Ja...gns&id=2682226
As for the number 8 its considered a lucky number in some cultures but also represents mine and my girlfriends anniversary which is 08/08/08, that's also her eye in the top part.

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Originally Posted by Tyson

Thanks, yea I don't think I could draw it any more accuratley myself, I'm not that good at drawing.
I'll probably take a design in and ask them to redraw it for me like you said.
What do you think of the overall design though?

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As a tattoo, I wouldn't put that many elements in a piece if I would ever consider taking one. Also, I'm not really into the oriental stuff xD though a koi fish is cool.

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Originally Posted by Rai

As a tattoo, I wouldn't put that many elements in a piece if I would ever consider taking one. Also, I'm not really into the oriental stuff xD though a koi fish is cool.

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Well I went to a tattooist yesterday and he basically told me it my drawing was turd, but I'm glad he was honest because he gave me a lot better ideas.
Like you said theres too many elements for a half sleeve,
Now I think I'm having a chest peice as well which will have the dragons head, the body will wrap round my arm, samurai mask at the top of my arm and the koi lower on my arm.
He showed me some of his similar work and they look pretty good. :)