HOW TATTOO CONSULTATIONS WORK. Ask a Tattoo Artist

[@roseoznz]

thank you for this! as soon as i started going through tattoo youtube videos recently, i hoped i'd find a video like this because i want to get my first commission done soon and i had no idea how it even worked! my existing tattoos were simple minimal walk-ins where i knew exactly what i wanted but now i want a bigger tattoo designed by an artist whose work i love :)

[@londonjadiel3952]

I know im asking randomly but does anybody know of a method to get back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost my login password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me

[@TheUpsetter]

I used to do all my CONSULTATIONS when I went out for a rollup lol this generation now is living the dream!!

[@leea9829]

Hi again Holly just wanted to say thanks to our video I took notes and emailed the tattoo artist and gave her more information and clarification of what I would like. She had said she was actually hesitant when she received my first email but now that I sent her more details and a better understanding she is excited about our first meet. Thank you so very much Holly!!!! 😊😁😀😃

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

That’s great! Glad it was helpful 💖

[@mariequestrian8361]

this was cool and helpful!!! also I love the cat bus on the bookshelf!!!

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

+theladymare cute right!! A friend brought it back from Japan

[@WhatsUpNoelle]

Hey Holly! I’m so very grateful for all of your videos! I have been binge watching your videos for a couple of weeks and I can’t tell you how much better informed and confident they have made me. Thank you so much! 💗

[@PurplePeaceGirl]

I have a consultation for my first tattoo on Wednesday 😬 and I have my actual tattoo appointment on Saturday

[@beckstyles3467]

same

[@albertwesker744]

Love the accent!

[@kaiwaii1073]

Do you recommend having small talk with your artist or is that rude to do since they have to concentrate? I'm a chatty person and I don't want to end up irritating or messing up the artist

[@vanityrose6512]

Delena MG bring a friend to talk to it helps

[@kungfuman82]

Didn't think of this question so I'm glad you asked it! I'm a chatterbox too, especially when I'm anxious or nervous.

[@goat5843]

As long as you're not a mover

[@roxy299]

You can small talk before the tattoo starts and check in with the artist if they are ok with talking or not so you know what to do when they start tattooing you. Bringing a friend who’s good at making convo probably helps but I’ve gone to get tattoos myself so I’ve just coped by asking casually while the artist is setting up

[@vanityrose6512]

My tattoo artist is family so communications good

[@madbrah8361]

I'm going to Japan to get a tattoo. I live in America and have been emailing the artist about the specifics of my tattoo idea. I'm in Japan for three days only, do you think I should have one day set aside for a consultation or have him draw up something via my ideas over email and get straight to tattooing and finish my half sleeve in three days?

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

you'd need to ask him, everyone works differently

[@maryreeser1292]

Its been 4 years did you get your sleeve done?

[@madbrah8361]

@@maryreeser1292 I’m actually in a session right now starting my leg! Yes I finished both and my hand :) not in Japan though, however I did instead snag a rib piece from Tokyo three tides on this specific trip that my comment referred to :)

[@NaN1ghtc0reK1tty]

Hello! Thanks for the video it really helps. I'm wanting a tattoo for my 18th birthday and my boyfriend said he'd come along and get another one too. It's not matching but just so that the two of us can sit near each other . Is that rude to ask of the artist? I'm worried if I ask they would take offence especially because it's my first tattoo and I'm going to be a pain asking for that?😬

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

i dont think thats rude at all! best to ask

[@leea9829]

Hi Holly - Thank you 😊 for the video. Even though it is a couple of years ago but it has great information 😊😁

[@bambamty]

Hey there! Love the content! Could you offer some advice, please? I've got a 6 hour sitting next week on the start of my sleeve! (a science-themed sleeve depicting various discoveries) I've looked at lots of videos on how to cope at sessions and will be taking a few lucozades with me, a can of monster for the midpoint and one for the drive home etc. But I'm wondering what I can be doing for the sitting? In case my artist isn't too chatty? I'm right handed and getting tattooed on my right arm so won't be using that hand. Maybe a tablet with a movie or two on, or a kindle? But these can be difficult to use/hold with one hand if not my dominant hand? OR just some music on my phone with my big headphones? Cheers!! P.s. my only other tattoo is a small ant on the inside of my leg above the ankle, but this only took 45 ish mins!!

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

What about a podcast or an audio book? then you wouldnt need your hands at all! I tend to kind of zone out when i get tattooed, 6 hours will go quicker than you think. Good luck with your tattoo!!

[@dolo_kaayy]

what if i found a picture on pinterest but it doesn’t show the full complete tattoo? like a finger tattoo of a ring for example.. how would the artists do that?

[@rain7096]

👍

[@JustCallMeKopi]

I need to save up some money but I know which artist I will be using and what I want. So how long before getting the money together should I go in for a consultation?(this store requires you set up the appointment and give them the down payment at the end of the consultation)

[@bambamty]

Thanks! i was debating a tablet/my kindle. But with being right handed I think they'll both be really hard to use with my left hand and might cause me to fidget a little keeping it steady? Might load up my phone with music and podcasts and maybe a movie? The artists might be chatty and be talking the whole time, but I want to be prepared for all scenarios! Pretty sure what I'll be taking in terms of food and drink. 2 lucozades for electrolytes, 2 monsters (one for the middle and one for towards the end) and fresh fruit and Oreos to snack on! Would it be safe to drive home after the session? :) Thanks again!!

[@jenv5785]

Ty Tankard I personally wouldn't recommend driving yourself home straight after. You can be either really tired or hyped up (not ideal for driving safely). Even after a 3 hour session, I had to take time out to chill before getting behind the wheel. I have sat for over 6 hours once, and I was totally wiped out and achy as hell. Maybe get someone else to drive or use public transport if possible? Also, I found taking painkillers during the tattooing good for reducing discomfort and swelling, so you can sit well for longer. Hope that helps x

[@bambamty]

Thanks! There's a train station 5 minutes away from my house, and then 5 minutes from the station! 20ish minutes each way! The only thing i dont like is that i get to the town with studio in an hour early, but the journey home may be quicker via train! Might get some paracetamol to keep me going! Thanks!

[@jimmymasse-caron4896]

You seem so nice!

[@kcsunshine57]

Are all consultations usually free?

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

+Kacey Rodriguez I would have thought so! Best to check with your artist

[@pepega8286]

Kacey Rodriguez mine is free with a down-payment. My artist asks for 80$, and if you decide to get the tattoo then it goes towards your hourly payment. So put down 80$ then if you get the tattoo then you pay 80$ less. If you dont get the tattoo, youre down 80 dollars. Makes sense, tattoo artists cant give their time for free.

[@RonanAquilius]

+Holly Astral is it okay to walk into a consultation without booking an appointment/deposit for the tattoo itself?

[@maddieleigh6550]

Is anyone here from the uk

[@isaiahjones429]

Where are you based at?? I love your work and would want to get a full back tattoo similar to those japanese yakuza boss tats

[@AdiFox11]

Hi I actually was interested on how to email your tattoo artist but your comments ore turned off. I wanted to ask you a question. I emailed this tattoo artist and I guess the receptionist or the one who makes the app write back. She suggested another artist but his work didn’t call out to me. I also stated I didn’t mind waiting but I was interested in him . She said no he isn’t available and he chooses his work and who he wants to tattoo. She still mentioned the initial artist I didn’t want that she subjected and I again said no thank you. She after said he only takes app Worley’s 5 hours nothing less. What should I do because I don’t think she was very profesional pushing another artist on me and or the artist himself didn’t say no.

[@Alesha_Lewer]

Do consultations cost money if the design is already drawn up? I’m looking at getting a piece that is the artists original design that is still available. I saw it on their Instagram page and love it

[@dion789]

I have a question: how does a consultation for a leg sleeve work? I want a sleeve made up of individual pieces with skin breaks between them. I have no idea how many would fit on my leg, so I now have eight ideas for tattoos, with 2 picture references for each. Wouldn't that be way too much to go to a tattoo artist for a consultion with? I don't really know how to approach it for a sleeve.

[@emthegem9866]

It depends do you think that you're going to get all of this leave by one tattoo artist? because it sounds like you're getting a patchwork sleeve and you can get a patchwork sleeve I want artists or you can get each piece by different artists. I feel like you pick the tattoo out of the 8 that you want to do first and you approach your artist, and you tell them what tattoo you want them to do now and what your future tattoo plans for that area of your body are so that way you and your artists can plan accordingly to wear that current tattoo is going to fit with your other tattoos

[@reneewright8864]

Hi, I've been thinking about the design for a tattoo I want for a couple of years now, but I'm still a bit iffy on the style I want. Is it considered rude to ask just for them to draw it up without getting the tattoo straight away? Just to tell if I like it enough to get it permanently tattooed on my body?

[@emthegem9866]

No it's not rude but remember that if you do not get that tattoo you still owe the artist money for taking up their time and having them draw out a piece of art for you regardless on if you get it tattooed or not. and maybe you see it and you almost loved it so you ask them to change it and then you get it, but no it shouldn't be considered rude. Just make sure you find an artist that you absolutely love everything or at the very least 95% of what they put out

[@LydiaGraceLGXO]

I'm looking to book appointments with you (not for another few months yet, so I can save up haha) but I'm from Cardiff, so it would be difficult for a face-to-face consultation. How should I go about contacting you at the time for that? Would you prefer email / phone call whatever haha xxxxx

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

email! [e-mail]

[@GrayWoIf]

Is it common for someone to bring their own ink or would the store have to order it for me? I plan to get a few tattoo's but I'd prefer if it was ink from a vegan brand.

[@effysnicket9132]

GrayWoIf if you contact the shop you can see what ink they use and if it's not vegan it's probably best to take it yourself if you're willing to do that as they probably won't want to order all new inks for one client (I'm not a tattoo artist I'm just making an assumption)

[@gavinsamson9884]

Am I supposed to schedule a consultation beforehand or should i just walk into a shop

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

best to call ahead to make sure the artist you want to talk to is free

[@gavinsamson9884]

Thank you

[@jacquelinesmith9897]

Do i tip at the consultation?

[@OGtrushalpatel]

Jacqueline Smith nah fuck that

[@RaChElRoBiNsOn1555]

Crazy didn't know this was a thing LOL I have always just drawn up my own tattoos and taken them in.

[@waynekenoff5532]

Not everyone is skilled liked u

[@Denka187]

good for you , but tattoo artists that care about the work they put out would never put your drawing on you . everyone is different so

[@ruffnight]

What is the best way to find the right tattoo artist for the work you want done? I have found it really hard to find an artist that will do different stiles of dragons. Is it okay to ask 2 or 3 artist to work together on one big piece?

[@emthegem9866]

Just search and search Instagram you don't always have to look for an artist that's near you. I don't know how you would get three people to work on you at once also it wouldn't be a great experience. Just remember traveling for a good tattoo is worth it

[@mikem9270]

Do tattoo artists get mad if we have something very specific in mind? I found a few images online that I put together into one image and wanted it tattooed on me but I heard that tattoo artists might get bugged by this because they dont want to just copy something

[@HollyAstralTattoo]

Depends on the artist, we’re all different

[@BraidedButthair]

Most artists don't like copying straight from a picture or another artists work, however they usually don't mind doing something very similar in their own style or with a few changes to make it unique

[@mikem9270]

MrGamingHorse ok i was asking because for the most part I like to sit on and idea for a very long time before i actually get it permanently tattooed on me

[@LifeIsBeautiful1610]

Help! I contacted a tattoo business about a consult. I had looked at all their portfolios and loved them all so i didn’t care who I got. I got booked with one artist for a consult tomorrow. But they had more recent photos on a different platform and a different artist at the same shop has done fantastic pieces in the same style I’m wanting. How do I tell them I want to use the other artist.