

If your client doesn’t handle pain well, you may need to counsel them to avoid specific areas like the ribs or feet.Īfter choosing a location for the tattoo, it’s time to choose a size. Because the contours of the body are different, the level of pain or discomfort that comes with getting tattooed changes depending on its location. The curve of the body is different, and you need to design with that in mind,” says tattoo artist Carrie Smith. “You’re going to design differently if it’s a forearm tattoo versus the lower back. You’ll end up rushing the work, and the final product will decline in quality. So don’t design a time-consuming, detailed piece if your client is working with a small budget. As an artist, your time is worth something. While it’s important to be inspired, it’s also important to consider the tattoo budget. The kirituhi is the official name for a Maori-style tattoo created for a non-Maori person. While the ta moko tattoo is reserved for the Maori people, that doesn’t mean you can’t be inspired by the style. In cultures like that of the Maori, tattoos are used as a rite of passage or to indicate social status and family ties.

Tribal tattoos draw their roots from ancient tribal art.When designing with letters, remember you can’t place them too close together, since the ink will spread and blur under the skin over time. See how Dan Rhatigan puts letterforms at the heart of his tattoo designs.


