PLANNING TATTOOS⚡Mix or Match?

[@NB-nu2le]

Thank you for answering my comment :) I was like hey that's my name! This was very helpful and reassuring, I haven't really thought of it like arranging a wall of pictures before but I wouldn't have every wall decorated with black and white photography or post impressionism even if those are things I enjoy. You talk about thing in a very logical way and it makes tattoo planning less intimidating, so thank you :)

[@theemoparakeet]

I’m interested in what you got and how it turned out!!

[@urbangypsie253]

I am coverd from head to foot in ink, I probably have a representation of every style there is out there" as they are so varied and done to mark a key moment in my life, i love them all but my favourite is of my grandmother which I have on my upper arm, she was a romany gypsy and brought me up, she passed in 1982 when I was sixteen and I miss her greatly still, so my tattoo is very sacred to me I wish you all a beautiful day ☺️

[@kevinkramer2056]

Any advice on certain styles clashing? I'm going for a bunch of styles but want to make it all read well

[@johnconklin9039]

I started late getting tattooed... very late, 56. My first was something that pertained to my hobby of woodworking, just to see how'd handle it. I was so happy with that I got a half Asian sleeve... just because I wanted it. I recently got my 3rd, the one that I thought would be my first. It's a family tribute for my wife, daughter and grandkids. Plan on doing more, no special rhythm or reason, just images that I enjoy. I try to find an artist that I really like their individual style and figure what I would like that'd look good in their style. I'm OK if every tattoo on me is by a different artist.

[@Catbirdmom2]

Late bloomer here, too. I was 50. Have an appt next month to get my second. I have been “on the books” since Jan 1 this year. Getting so excited. I have a phoenix and I’m getting a dragon black and gray. My Phoenix has a lot of yellow that has faded so we will be touching it up and adding elements to make them more cohesive. Long story to just say one can always do that, tweak things to work old in with new, black and gray in with color.

[@theotherguy21]

Neverrrrr to late to get one and the ones you got sound badass

[@MonkeyDLuffy-rr3wl]

You're a cool grandpa, I hope you'll pleased with them

[@jenniferculipher4058]

I started a month ago with my first at 44 and it’s going to be a half sleeve. I’m glad I’m not the only one that started late lol

[@angelaciani2110]

I adore how passionate you talk about tattoos... your advice is honest and very helpfull!!!

[@AshleyBabyMalone]

I gave my tattoo artist full freedom with the colour scheme for all three tattoos she has done for me and I have to say they're so much better than if I was to give her the colours I wanted!... I love mixed style tattoos!

[@yogankumar2722]

Same here. I was clear about what i wanted but i gave my tattoo artist the freedom with the colours and it ended up looking better than what i pictured in my head

[@apoccooking4364]

I don't have any tattoos yet, but I did (sort of) plan a sleeve that I want; I picked a sleeve because it seems like it would fit well with the idea. See - I love the nighttime. When I was a kid and my dad and I would go for a walk to pick my mum up from work really late, he'd show me some constellations and tell me stories. There was very little traffic (it was usually like 11:00) and it was just very quiet and peaceful. He taught me how to recognise a few night birds by their calls, and talk about his cousin who taught him about animals. So, I get this very calm feeling from the night and I kinda want to get a tattoo of some constellations and the moon on a dark background as kinda a reminder of some of the better memories from when I was little. Kinda figuring like, a moon on my chest and then the tattoo spreads out over my shoulder and down my arm with a few Zodiac constellations, the Big and Little Dippers, and maybe Orion if there's a spot that's blank.

[@banjotiki3910]

Sounds cool.

[@Arwenkid]

That sounds so beautiful! :D Did you end up getting it?

[@apoccooking4364]

@@Arwenkid nah, not yet - not travelling til 'rona is over lol

[@Arwenkid]

@@apoccooking4364 Makes sense. Once the bug is gone, hope nothing stands in your way. ^^

[@EllieMackinRoberts]

I love them idea that the body is like a diary - that's definitely how I see my body and my tattoos! I have a mix, a sleeve in progress that's black linework. I gave my artist a poem and let them get on with it. She also did a rib piece for me that 'matches' the sleeve. Then, on my leg I have a brightly coloured nontraditional 'cute' Medusa and a colour watercolour piece that goes up most of my leg. The Medusa was my idea but I let the artist do what she wanted. The other one was a painting that artist did. Then I have a brightly coloured chest piece, that I'm in the middle of having reworked. So yes - a diary, a book of memories, some things I like looking at, in a mix of styles and colours. A growing patchwork!

[@hannrkelley]

The metaphor about it being a wall of paintings is AMAZING. I'm so glad I found this video while in the very beginning of my tattoo thought process, this was extremely helpful to start with and now I have more to think about, but I feel calmer. That really put my mind at ease thank you so much! I love colour, and will definitely have many colour pieces but you made me realise a few black and grey portraits here and there would only enhance the wall of art, and add depth, especially as they age. I hope they age and fade with each other into a really nice fresco-style painting when I'm 80.

[@Arwenkid]

Omg, I could listen to you talk about tattoos forever. It's so amazing to share a passion with so many people. ^^ When I got my first tattoo I wanted that to be my only one. It was a black and grey / dotwork thing on my upper arm. Now the tattoo bug bit me so I got a second, tiny one, and I'm already planning some pretty large ones. My left leg will get a watercolor fandom tattoo and I feel like I may want to include more watercolor designs from the same fandom there. But on my right hip and thigh, I will have another black and grey design, probably with geometric shapes thrown in. So at this point one side of my body will be in color and the other in black and grey - but there are a million things I could want in the future! :D The hardest part is deciding what to get because once that space is taken, you can't go back. I'm a bit afraid of having that "opportunity regret" afterwards.

[@steinistein8611]

Did you get those watercolor tattoos yet? I've heard they age terribly and I'm curious how yours turned out

[@Arwenkid]

@@steinistein8611 I did get one and I'm really happy with it, but haven't done the whole leg yet. It's a year old now and there is no fading of any kind. That might partially be because the sun never hits it directly (it's always covered with clothes unless I go swimming). Hard to tell after just one year, but I have a friend who has a watercolor tatoo on their forearm that basically looks the same after five years. But to be honest I couldn't tell you if it looks that good because the artist was great or because he simply has "good tattoo skin". He and I always use 50+ sunscreen whenever we go out and any of our tattoos are exposed, so I'm sure that has been helpful as well.

[@steinistein8611]

@@Arwenkid wow thank you for the long reply! Five years and still looking good is giving me hope I'm glad you're happy with your tattoo and I hope it will hold up well over the years! :)

[@Arwenkid]

@@steinistein8611 Thank you so much! ^^ I hope your new tattoo makes you super happy no matter what style you choose. :D

[@steinistein8611]

@@Arwenkid aww thank you :)

[@thomassantomartino7337]

I'm rapidly approaching 58 years old and after only having two tattoos for 20 years, I had them restored. After that I was hooked. I now have 15 tattoos (16 next week). My plan is to eventually have a fully body suit and at my age I don't think I should wait too long. I want to get it done before the quality of my skib declines too much. I am an American Traditional guy primarily and I also like Asian inspired designs. When I started earlier in the year I wasn't thinking of what went together very much. Now I want different themes on various parts of my body that look like they go together from a variety of artists. I want my sleeves each done by one artist each. In the beginning I didn't conceive I'd want to do what I'm doing, so I think I would have made some different choices had I figured it out. Since this is a lengthy project I'm sure I will change my some of my ideas about I will want. so I can't tell you what I'm going to look like in several years, but I'm enjoying the journey.

[@missstorrm]

Omg, the picture of the wall with paintings is from my city, Krakow (Poland) 😂 I had to rewind and zoom in to make sure but yes, can see the churches etc in some of the paintings. Unexpected 😂

[@rinwatson2057]

I have about 14 tattoos now, and tend to keep one style or theme to each section / limb. So my whole left side is mostly black and grey with little pieces of colour, and I have neo trad full colour pieces on the right. Then the themes vary from each part of my body. :)

[@anovemberstar]

"you will chnge" yep, that is for sure. what i loved at 20, by the time i was 25, or 30, im so glad i never got those ideas as tattoos!!! im in my 40s, just got my second tattoo, and am hooked ... being 'middle aged' i know myself a lot more, have a greater sense of who i am - ill be surprised if what i like now, i wont in 20 years time, but you never know

[@tellavega9777]

Absolutely! I had several tattoos I wanted when I was in my late teens/twenties and thank god I didn't get them. At 37 now, I have different tastes, and I feel much better about my tattoo choices.

[@Naked_Ryan]

I only have one tattoo so far, but I want SO many more in many different styles. I'm definitely more of a planner when it comes to tattoos; I have a mass list of the concept, style, and placement of each tattoo I want. Some are color realism, some are minimalist, some are neotraditional pinups. I have one piece I want that even mixes colorful new school and b&w sacred geometry within a single piece. My biggest factor in what style I'd get for each tattoo is what makes the most sense for the imagery and meaning of that specific tattoo, not the style of the tattoo next to it. As long as it makes you happy, live your best life!

[@lesterrodriguez6414]

I've struggled with this subject and your wall analogies make so much sense. Thank you for for your guidance and experience 😊

[@daniellericklefs3188]

I love that you requested client stories! I had an artist say he didn't want to hear stories because they were all bullshit and he was only there to finish a job so he didn't care. I wish I had been brave enough to walk away!

[@fabioaug.]

There are two tattoos I want in the near future, but I was afraid of clashing styles. I´m so glad I´ve found your video.

[@brentweisenborn660]

LOVE YOUR ADVICE AND INPUT ON TATTOOS....IT ALWAYS MAKES SENSE TO ME WHAT YOU SAY.

[@lexistein3859]

I often hear people say they would never get tattoos because one day they might not like it as much, or their values might change, that sort of thing. I mean this is definitely true, we do change, but we can’t erase our history and what we’ve gone through in life, so tattoos represent where we’ve been and who we were in the past. I think they can be good reminders of how far we’ve come as a person.

[@noteven6562]

I agree wholeheartedly it's why i prefer patchwork sleeves. The only thing i decided on prehand is a theme、and color scheme for my arms. I have macabre fantasy illustrations on my arms. One item at a time.

[@floydprice3829]

You have some of the best advice relating to tattoos on KZbin. I could listen to your voice all day lol that accent and personality 😍

[@kellyhopkins9287]

Hi Electric Linda, I got my first tattoo (and only till February) 21 years ago and the guy I was seeing at the time had this ritual where he would take the girl he was seeing to get her first tattoo, then two weeks later he would break up with them. I was intrigued by tattoos and didn’t know what I wanted so I picked a flash off the wall of a ying yang with two dolphins around it. I still like my tattoo it helps me feel more bold and powerful. The one I’m getting in February is going to be a goddess with fire wings and colorful I love color! Tattoos make me smile 😊

[@brisims3503]

Your ex is a jerk. But your idea is so

[@nataliepaad1869]

I completely agree with your perspective on mixing and matching. About a year ago, I planned several tattoos out and decided that once lockdown was lifted, I'd get appointments for these. It's now 2 weeks away from my first appointment and I'm getting something completely different. Out of the batch I'd planned, I kept about 2 the exact same, and the others (while keeping the same meaning) have kind of evolved into different images. My second one is booked for a few months from now and I'm really happy to just go slowly through this start of the collecting phase. I'm also learning about more artists and following more artists on Ig and it's influencing my previous tattoo ideas and is helping shape them. Theyre not all on me yet, but the planning and imaging phase is, on its own, so enjoyable :)

[@michelacolombo9909]

I have 7 tattoos, planned and executed in different periods of my life and in different styles. In the last years I've started to think less about the exact "picture" of the tattoo, I've learned to search an artist that I really love and to try to trust him/her and to give him/her freedom... Everything works so much better in this way! Ps. Thank you for your videos, they are awesome!

[@jamiedykes]

I printed out a body outline from google and went in explaining what I want and where making the outline as I did so. It’s a good way to see where placement goes and you can still add to it

[@RumlusNaomi]

This video just confirmed my thoughts and view of tattoos. Especially the comparing it to a wall clicked with me. Just the other day I was telling my boyfriend that it’s really important to me that our new home reflects our personality. I always thought that I would only get black & grey tattoos. But I always talk to my artist and yesterday we came to the idea of adding a lil bold color to my tattoo and it looks amazing! I am planning a sleeve and will be planning my second sleeve after that. And after seeing this video I am sure I will mix styles and colors and black & grey, because that’s me! 🙌🏽😍

[@saracherry5655]

I never planned any of my tattoos I always been following my feeling and ideas. I have almost every style on me hahaha but I love having so much different styles and tattoos it's make me a unique canvas. I wanted to add that I'm really happy to see you back on KZbin I ve seen every video of you and they are all so much interesting. So happy to see you back :)

[@danbenson2085]

Linda, super video, I started my tattoos when I was 63 years old and now I am totally inked on my upper torso, I love the many ways you can combine tattoos. I think the main thing is getting a tattoo from an artist like yourself and not going to someone cause they are cheaper. The artist is the key for anyone and the artist knows what will look good with other tattoos. I have no regrets on mine, I love them all. I love your neck ink, just finished mine.

[@ringaroundth3rosi3]

Lol, probably late but.. I have four currently, just going along piece by piece. Small semicolon on my left wrist (black), a cancer/diabetes ribbon with my grandma's name on my right wrist (colour)..I have a 1/4 sleeve on my right shoulder (colour), I am a comic book lover - it's a Marvel tattoo, Winter Soldier's metal arm. My left inner bicep I have the Deathly Hallows symbol (black ink, line work), with the word 'Always' under it - love Harry Potter, loved Alan Rickman who passed on my birthday in 2016. My 4th was the Marvel one I got mid-March this year. Getting my fifth the first week of August. No clue the style, I only told my artist what I would like it to include - and, told him I was very pleased with how he did my Marvel one. Also told him I wanted to give him as much artistic freedom as possible. Love his work though, so I know I'll be pleased with whatever he comes up with. I also know that I'll be heavily tattooes eventually. I just like adding to the canvas

[@Jayrockstar2010]

To be honest, I have come to love/appreciate the realism aspect that a tattoo artist can create with their own two hands. I have been wanting a tattoo since I was sixteen and I have waited for a couple of years just to be sure that I truly wanted it. Now, I have my consultation date and appointments scheduled after conducting research about which artist I wanted/felt comfortable with. For me, I believe that planning should definitely be done when going for a tattoo and a meaning should be behind it. Not always, but most of the time. I love a tattoo that has this "secret" meaning behind it because it says alot about the individual. You truly care and display tons of passion when speaking about tattoos which I truly appreciate. Thank you for the information; it is really helpful for someone like me who will be getting his first tattoo.

[@arisunohana]

I love mixing styles, but I think I say that from a collector’s point of view! I have 2 half sleeves, one being in color and the other in black and grey, but one has a theme while the other one doesn’t. ☺️

[@koobs4549]

I have a mix of Old School Traditional, Neo Traditional, & geometric. I didn’t plan my tattoos but they happened very organically. I’ve been very lucky to have found amazing artists who helped guide me through the process. I never planned on getting a full sleeve but I had a couple of really nice individual pieces that worked as an anchor to build off of. I have a full sleeve on one arm & despite it being a mix of styles & artists, it’s all put together very cohesively. Tempering expectations & giving the tattoo artists freedom to do what they do best, has really paid off for me. My tattoos would not have looked half as good, if I had been rigid & insisted on sticking to my own ideas of what each tattoo should be. Listening to the artists & being open to their point of view has allowed me to have pieces that I am proud of. While tattoos are for the person who ultimately gets the tattoo, you can’t discount the fact that it is a collaborative effort between you & your tattoo artist. That relationship is paramount to getting it right if you don’t want to be disappointed. The more you invest in that relationship, the better your tattoo artist will be at understanding your vision & bringing it to life.

[@kornelious1]

I've watched at least 20 of your videos I love how knowledgeable you are. We need more like you, no one in my current location can even tattoo half as good as you do. And professionalism is lacking. I have 2 horrible tattoos that came out of shops here. Now i'm looking at getting them lasered off so I can start my canvas over.

[@JayRedding12_12]

I love my mix. It represents me and different characters in my life. And I've only had two artists. Not only are they great tattooists, but also good friends. I love my Ink.

[@15hellokittylover]

I have a mix of color and black and grey. My legs are black and grey and my arms are color. I think I it’s more fun to have a variety of styles to collect. My chest is American traditional and it all blends well. It suits my personality and I plan to add more as time goes by. You were right when you said not to over think a tattoo. JUST HAVE FUN EXPRESSING YOURSELF!!

[@miecymay8491]

My daughter was an apprentice for 2 years and became a paid artist last July. My leg is filled with her work from apprentice to artist and I love it. I let her practice as she grew. I also have both upper areas done & one is a replica of a painting she did when she was 15. The other is from Disney’s UP

[@sondrablaschko5686]

I have a new school tattoo and looking into a black and grey traditional tattoo on my other leg. I like that you mentioned that its like a wall with many picture you like and it can be like a diary.

[@luckydogsmom577]

I got my first small a few months ago that surprised many people I know. But I've been thinking about getting a tattoo for years. When my fur baby passed away I just had to do it then. Now I'm addicted and went back for two more a bit larger. I'm planning on a large one for the side of my leg when summer comes. I'm into the realistic, colorful styles. Right now I'm wanting to do individual pieces that represent a different story for me. I don't care if it doesn't blend, it's my body and my story. It needs to represent what I stand for, what I believe in, what I love.

[@tellavega9777]

I've had my first tattoo for years- a dragon on my calf. Took a long time to get any more because I donate blood and you have to take a year off for a tattoo (in the US), so this pandemic has been my chance to catch up on the tattoos I have been wanting (now have 2 more tattoos). I looked around online for inspiration but focused on one tattoo design at a time. I sent the artwork ideas I liked (a dragonfly with flowers on my back, and an owl in a tree on my right arm) with what I liked about each picture/idea to my favorite artist- this owl with these branches, try to keep as much detail in the dragonfly, etc (my friend's husband has a shop and does gorgeous work), and he came up with the final sketches. I absolutely adore my new pieces, even though I don't look at my back that often I'm still amazed at the beauty of it.

[@loriwhite2096]

I have all different styles of tattoos and I usually only plan out one sitting at a time because I'm constantly changing as my journeys continue.. I don't have a particular fav style.. I do however love realistic black and gray... I have tribal... Old school and full color tats.. I have lots more to enjoy and I'm looking forward to each and every one of them.

[@justinefeuz2186]

I write every tattooidea down on my list and if it‘s still on it 3 years later i‘ll get it. because i want to be sure i will still like it after even just a few years aand because i‘m afraid i will be out of tattoo/bodyspace if i rush it. it was a tip from my uncle when i was younger and it just made sense to me

[@rachelthedietitian9773]

That’s my rule too! And 8 years later I only have 1 :)

[@michaelhantula2892]

I have written to you once before I'm 65 and retired and I just started to get my first few tattoos. Now I have 3 ,getting my 4th one in a few weeks . Somethings I always wanted. We have a real good artist in town if I waned one you had to travel so far to get a good one. Eventually I'll have both arms with random things with or without color that somewhat mean something to me

[@vanessamaria9744]

I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday, ever since im working on my sleeve piece by piece ( most times I do two pieces at the same time because they are small) they are all black and gray but in different styles made by different artists but all are about thee same topic so it all fits together

[@JohnSkyLey]

This was so helpful! I have a Japanese sleeve on my left arm but was thinking about a black and gray realism sleeve on my right. I was worried about mixing styles. Thank you!

[@KaworuNagisa]

This video and all your other "starter" videos feel so helpful to me. My ... change started around 3-4 years ago when I started changing my hair color... I choose a new color each month and if I don't feel like change, I just go for a darker pink. Then last week I got my first piercings and although I felt so nervous, I enjoy(ed) it so much. So now I wanna go for a tattoo... or more of them if I end up loving that experience as well. My theme for now is going to be artists that inspired me or seem to have become a part of my life. Since I am a lot into Japanese/Korean/Thai media and idol culture, I wanna go in that direction. I thought about getting a portrait of Kyo from Dir en grey and in the background a red lotus. And if I add more artists, next would probably be Taemin from SHInee and Thai actor Fluke. I want to add a flower to each person as a common theme to keep everything together a little. I like the fragility of flowers and each of them comes with different meanings. So far I have collected various HQ photos of Kyo and lotus flowers to take with me to the tattoo studio. Your videos will definitely help me not say or ask too many silly things. I am very shy in such "new situations" so your videos made me feel more self-assured. :)

[@EmpSandra]

That was just what I needed to hear! I have had my first part of the sleeve done - the outer arm - and it was in blackwork illustration style with a little color. I absolutely love that style but I am also a sucker for neotraditional :D so, it represent the variety in my tastes just like in real life and very similarly than your witch-mermaid example. Thanks for putting effort into explaining this and putting a video together! I wish I would have met you when I spent my exchange year in Oslo! :D

[@KailaCatherine]

I loved watching your video! It made me feel a lot better about my own process of getting tattoos. I currently have a mix of colour tattoo and black and grey tattoos! I definitely just plan my tattoos piece by piece and don't have a plan for my entire body! I love your channel, keep up the great work! 💕

[@pacizzles1]

I'm so glad I found this channel through Katrin Berndt's reaction video. I've been watching Electric Linda all morning. These videos are so informative. I have a large upper left arm/cover up appointment scheduled in 2 weeks. Realism owl & roses, it'll be my 4th and I know I want more. These videos are so helpful. Thank you!

[@the_autistic_advocate]

I don’t have any tattoos yet, but I’ve started thinking a lot about which ones I want and where I want them, and this video helped alot

[@decadentnight]

I love the idea of duality one side of my body follows one idea and the other completely different.

[@K87jk]

I mix styles trash polka,realism and lettering in black and white on my upper body. Colors on my legs with the same styles and some new school.

[@sarahkrick12]

I have almost all black and white line-work currently both on back and ankle. Theres a traditional compass mixed in and a realistic paw print in the same line work piece. I’m thinking about adding to my leg with a b&w traditional hand, a bansky piece, and a b&w neo-traditional or traditional oval framed scenery! I’ll have different styles but all will be b&w and so far with the mix I already have it seems to work well! This video definitely helped me be think through all that in a new way!

[@davidbrennan5973]

So I’m at 14 tattoos, there all traditional, I plan on keeping mainly traditional. I want a realism piece on my shoulder and a small one on my thigh but I really love all the styles

[@dannyvassilev1270]

Hello dear Linda !! Love your videos !! Soo you asked what your viewers have.. My first tattoo was several months ago and I made my design by using some references from the net, then I started my research about the artist which will fit me and my idea the best. So I have two realistic wolves facing each other with their fangs prepared for battle. One of the wolves is darker than the other and represents the bad inner side that everyone has, the second one is lighter so they resemble the ying yang symbol as the battle between good and bad. I decided that the wolf is matching perfectly all the principles that I follow and believe in. As I said that's the inner battle in me, so it's placed on my inner forearm. After a month I have an appointment for my next tattoo and it will be on the outer forearm so it fills the whole lower arm and have my half sleeve. My favorite style is black and grey realism, so I will do some day the whole sleeve this way. 😊 Thank you for all the encouragement, inapiration and knowledge that you gave me without even know !! ♥️

[@danbenson2085]

Linda, my ink has my dad in the 82nd Airborne on my arm, I have American flag on both my arms, one is the stripes and the other is the stars making full sleeves. My chest top is the American Eagle and the cross which is my faith. My belly is a mean looking lion, left ribs is a nite beach scene cause I a ma beach bum at heart and my right rib is all my grandchildren. My full back is the Kennedy half dollar without the circle of stars cause my back is too thin so he put stars in random order. My front neck is sun and clouds and back neck is a crown. Tattoos keep you young too haha, keep making the great videos!!

[@SillyParasaurolophus]

Honestly the coolest intro ever. Nothing beats it! I love you and your channel Linda! :)

[@electriclinda]

Thank you 😘

[@silviapamelapatinovasquez7567]

That is one heck of an advice!!! So true and honest!! Also what you said about having one artist do your tattoos is so true 😃👍

[@jenniferculipher4058]

Currently planning a half sleeve with roses and a camera because I’m a photographer. Can’t wait until it’s finished

[@thatgirl634]

Exactly! I can only get 1 or 2 at a time. At this time I have one artist doing my work. But everything I get doesn't coincide with one another but for my sleeve I'm bringing them together to make it look like they do. When I was in my early 20s I just got them for the sake of getting them. The artist, even though he tattooed for over 30 year, sucked bad! He only did flash and not very well mind you. So now that I'm 39 I'm covering them all eventually with art that means something to me. I have a lot of ideas and they're all different as I've had a lot of different experiences. That's life. So when I'm done, my sleeves and chest piece will connect and look like it matches but they're all different sorts of pictures. Black & grey and color. Kind of like how yours are. At a glance they look like they flow into each other but in reality they're all different. That's the look I want. Though you are right, if they're all planned out at the same time, it'll look amazing. I do get bored very quickly so that's why each piece I get has special meaning 😉😉😉

[@brealea8520]

This definitely helps me. Ive always wanted to plan every little thing in life. But this helps me realize to focus on one thing at a time.

[@kineticrazor4409]

Hi Linda, i only have 2 tattoos so far :) BUT i have planned out a sleeve, and my first session is in september! now, i have a hand tattoo, it's a bng metallic Triangle with a rose in the middle, there is barb wire wrapping around the triangle and the rose has some water drops on the leeves! my 2nd tattoo is a Neo traditional wolf (on my forearm) it's black and grey with different shades of purple in it, it actually has an eyebrow piercing wich i find kind of cool :D and it also has this angel aura on top of it's head! The triangle and rose tattoo was VERY planned, all the different aspects of the tattoo has a meaning, where as the wolf literally wasn't planned at all, i just love wolves.

[@skandarsan5148]

I'm just building up a half sleeve on my left leg. It started with a flash from an artist I really liked (one of those flashes were first payed - first served and no one else gets that design), from a collection he called sushi freak. He does animals interacting with objects really good. I came early to my appointment and we talk about me wanting him to take care of my half sleeve and all will make sense with this first tattoo. We are doing it on parts; 1 or 2 animals and objects per session, until we fill the calf. He loved the idea and even started sketching instantly although our next session is still a month away.

[@karrenwebb3341]

I have 2 as of now. Both are bright color. I love both of them. If I were younger because of mature skin is more loose, I would have more. Still planning my next one for 60rh birthday.

[@kaylaarmitage525]

For several years I’ve been collecting photos and ideas for the half sleeves that I want. I’m saving my lower arms for in case I want to add to them later, but definitely my upper arms to be memorial tattoos for my grandmothers: my right in black and grey, and the left one in color. My conflict is that some of the flowers I would want for my right side are white flowers, and I know white has problems with fading easily and just not doing so well in the long term. It’ll be an interesting challenge for my artist to overcome that’s for sure!

[@G43xmos]

Great video. Answered some of my own questions. . Sleeving my arm with different ideas black and grey. In the end it all comes together as you said. Your perspective is honest and refreshing.

[@julieredfern7136]

You have a way of educating and explaining things that is so helpful! I love how you phrase things in a kind way that doesn't make people feel stupid for not knowing. You are very wise and your content is comforting.

[@Samoan_Metalhead]

Thank you for this very informative video. Im getting shoulder cover up which will eventually become a full arm sleeve. I was concerned about planning ahead and getting the same style sleeve. Doing one tattoo at a time. But that would not represent my personality. I have a full arm Polynesian sleeve on my left side to express my heritage and culture. But I was my right hand side be about my journey in life

[@kingmdalby4569]

I'm on the last stages of my sleeve and finding things to fill in the gaps is so hard. wish I had planned it out more at the start but when I started, it was my first tattoo and I didn't know I wanted the whole sleeve yet. super lost with inspiration for the gaps now

[@allyf9047]

Love this! My next tattoo I want to be inspired by hamlet's ophelia, after I saw a famous painting, I'm especially interested in the flowers and the meaning behind them. She's such a tragic character and I connect so much with her in a way. It's not a negative reminder, but more an artistic subtle ending of a negative chapter in my life. To remind myself that there's beauty to be found in whatever situation, because gosh artist made her look so tragically yet beautiful in their renditions!

[@sarahallegra6239]

Ally F just curious, was it the Mallais painting of Ophelia? I’m reading a biography about the model for that painting right now and the Pre-Raphealites have been favorite artists of mine for most of my life :) That would be incredible as a tattoo!!

[@katiekat1518]

I usually plan my tattoos anywhere from 1-4 in advance, and then wait anywhere from a month to 3 years before I get them. I have a mix of black and grey, color, and super bold traditional. All of my tattoos have a significant meaning behind them, even though some may seem as if they don't. I love explaining the stories behind my tattoos because it's one of the reasons I got them in the first place. For my story/ies to be told.

[@BattleDuelists]

I have a few tats on my arm, different artist. I.plan on a patchwork.sleeve with lots.of different art. I hear from most they hate that & I personally love the look and diversity

[@matmoz7855]

I'm 34 now I always used to regret not getting more when I was younger. But part of me is glad I waited because like she says in the video. Your tastes change as you get older. You're less likely to regret them getting them later on in life. the only one i do regret is the one I got when I was 19 and it was first one. My advice is don't rush into it.

[@hohveganjo]

Loved this video because I wasn't sure about mixing styles, I have 6 tattoos so far, all black and grey, mostly realism, but have a dot work one and a hand poked (professionally done) one as well. I am afraid of colour lol but love looking at colour tattoos. I have kept one arm free of tattoos to see will I go for colour in the future....we will see! I planned one by one and now I have few ideas of what I would like next. So glad you are back on KZbin, love your videos

[@MissNannyLake]

I really enjoyed this video. My first few tattoos are kind of all over the place. Little things done here and there by various artists. When I started my sleeve I went to an artist who I loved and gave her all of my ideas and inspiration and then we worked together to figure out what worked and what didn’t. Where things should be, etc. We started with a half sleeve and completed that and then did the bottom half of my arm. My arm is all done in one style by the same artist but isn’t a cohesive picture. I’m currently planning my leg sleeve and arm drawn to more traditional style and black and grey which is completely opposite from my arm. I totally agree with what you said about the parts of a person’s personality.

[@osogoodgirl]

I love the wall analogy! Although I don't intend to be heavily tattooed I do have several planned and this is such a helpful way of thinking through the process.

[@MissPandoraC]

I sort of had/ have general ideas for my tattoos, but my style hasn't really changed a huge amount so they so all sort of go together. I also tend to sit on my ideas for years so they grow and change over time, then I'll give them to the artist and say, I'd love this thing but you can make it better. My next tattoo is my back piece, I have already talked to my artist about it a little, basically, I'm just going to give him a bunch of pics of the general idea that I want, and the three specific small things I want to incorporate, and I've already told him that he has my whole back to play with for sizing and placement. My style tends to be "beautiful gothic" (if that's even really a style lol), with a mix of heavy blacks and bits of bright contrast colour. I like working with my artist because what I really love the look of might be a really bad looking tattoo, they know what will translate best and Id rather have my design changed for a better tattoo than get exactly what I want and get a terrible looking tattoo. Like would a gothic rose vine with all different coloured roses look good, in my head individually I think it would be great but when you put it all together it could come out terribly.

[@lbclark1]

I have a right ankle flower chain from 2000. It’s roses and my trans son’s “dead” name. I have a left shoulder piece that is a portrait of a cat (Kiki) that I adopted as a kitten- she was with me for 16 years. Finally, last summer, the aforementioned son and I got matching black rabbit tattoos. His teen years and the lead up to his GC surgery were extremely stressful for various reasons, but it’s all good now, and we celebrated with matchies.

[@warcraftdude13]

irezumi looks fantastic. it flows so well. Im getting my back to my calves and my front panels and half sleeves done.

[@67gbrown]

My one sleeve is a ocean theme .And the other is a mix of Vikings and a dragon.Both are the same style lots of Color

[@KimKarmaPolice]

Glad to see you are back on KZbin! I never planned to get lots of tattoos when I started out 7 years ago, but from my second tattoo on my leg I knew that I wanted to create a whole animal themed leg sleeve. Thankfully my taste in tattoos has changed a lot since then, since the first one was a tribal style that I grew out of pretty quickly. Now I have 3 different styles on that leg but all animal themed, and planning at least 1 more addition in 2019. My left arm I'm working on in the same way: the theme is music and I have 3 tattoos on there inspired by songs/music that means a lot to me, but not necessarily in the same style. Planning to add a big lower arm piece to that in 2019 as well. Then the rest of me is pretty empty at the moment but I'm saving it for other style tattoos that don't fit it with both of these sleeves. I really want a big piece on each thigh that tie together, but no idea for what piece or style yet. I do sometimes wish I didn't decide on a bold script piece between my shoulder blades 4 years ago, as that is such a sacred part of skin for a big piece (although I have no plans/ideas for a big piece at this point in time) and this bold piece of text will never fit in with a more artistic piece... But we'll see how that fares over the next years!

[@SherriTrumm]

Hello! I am in the process of getting my second tattoo. My first one was a color painted lady butterfly on my lower leg, and this Sunday the artist is shading in the last two of three delicate, gray shaded roses. I put off tattooing until after turning 46, because I thought the things I liked were too common for women, but with aging I have acquired the freedom to not care... even if every woman on the planet gets those two things, I still love mine. When I see those things in nature I literally stop and smell the roses or watch the butterfly go about its day. Thank you for this video, because I like many others want more tattoos in the future, and this question had come up for me. Like you said, our personalities are a mix of different things, and I agree with the idea of tattooing things we love on our bodies even if they are not all alike. I got into the conundrum of thinking in terms of a theme, but I realized that although it could be lovely to look at, it would be boring over time. I also appreciate your input from an artist's POV, because I want any artist who works on me to enjoy what she is doing. I have many ideas for future tattoos, but I decided to wait a bit for the next one. I want to be very inspired and certain so that I don't have something I regret even a tiny bit. The two I have are things I felt strongly about, so I don't want to be in a rush just to get myself covered. Thank you!

[@tiffanypitts2668]

I have two tattoos already, I'm in the mix of planning my third. They all have a special meaning to me. I have them placed where I can easily see them.

[@glamdawling]

Wow that’s crazy. I plan to get my first two tattoos on two sides of my body to represent the different sides of me too: the glam and the geek.

[@electriclinda]

Cool!

[@emmehkat]

I don't have many tattoos, (3 stand alone pieces) and they're all by the same artist. I'm currently working with my artist to create a leg sleeve off of a standalone piece I got last year. I was able to expand on the meaning of that standalone piece and I'm excited to expand it and be able to tell a story with my sleeve when it's done. I already have a few pieces in mind I want to get done in different styles by different artists. So mixing and matching styles is no big deal to me. A bigger deal to me when planning pieces then matching art style is if the artist will be into it. If my go to artist gets sick of my ideas and doesn't have fun with it I want to find someone else. I don't want to waste her time and make her regret my appointment.

[@kittenneedles9590]

I currently only have the two, both black work but quite different styles. I have many other ideas in mind in a variety of styles. I absolutely love your likening it to a wall of pictures. I had never thought of it in that way before and it has given me the confidence to mix styles. We are all multifaceted and I love the idea of my body showing me. If you ever come to Australia to tattoo I would love to book an appointment with you, and yes, I would say for you to do something you have always wanted to.

[@FranzStFleur]

Needed this, I'm about to get more tatts

[@dakotawinters5062]

I believe the same as you. You know, life should be made as fun as possible. It’s cliche but we really never know when our last moment is. Love as much as possible because that is what life is for and growth. Tattoos should be about you and not what other people would think about it. When you get that mindset, the fun of it goes away and it then becomes stressful to an extent. Love always and to whom is reading this, You are beautiful and amazing and I hope your day/evening is as amazing as you :) !

[@kabrown1106]

Another great video. I agree wholeheartedly on making your tattoos fit your personality and style. I have literally stopped counting my tattoos but I have black & grey realism, color realism, neotraditional, watercolor, and American traditional. The only thing I have done which started out very unconsciously is that the left side of my body is Black & grey and the right side is color. I’m 43 now and my very first tattoo was when I was 16. I’ve changed and although not all of my tattoos has some deep profound meaning, they all tell the story of me. Thank you for sharing your professional opinion on this. Looking forward to the next videoGlad you’re back! ☮️💟🕉

[@MinorOddities]

I have dedicated half of my upper body to color specifically an artist in MA - Timmy B. and the other half to black and grey/black work - specifically an artist in Cincinnati - Austin Fields. I have done my tattoos piece by piece to reflect different points of my life. Its nice to have a marker of where I was and the person I was when I got them. I havent really decided what I want to do with my legs yet - but we will see. ❤ love your content!

[@claymorecuts87]

Alright Electric Linda?? thanks for the awesome content you always drop! I wanted to be covered in tattoos from a young age, although i didn't plan anything, i prefer to build my collection as and when i feel the need. My first tattoo on my 18th birthday was a small piece of script saying "Forty Oz" on my chest it is a nod to my favourite band Sublime's first album. I'm 33 now and i have almost finished my sleeves and i've started on my right leg. One half of me is in colour and the other is black and grey, i don't think there are any rules to getting tattoos really! just make sure you go to good artists and be open about what you like and you cant go too far wrong!

[@maggiemcnamara918]

I’m 17, turning 18 in two weeks. I am getting two tattoos on my birthday and I plan on getting more later on. I have realised that 90% of the tattoo ideas that I like have a hidden meaning, at first I just liked the idea but the more I thought about these tattoos it became clear that I liked them so much because they represent a side of myself I wish I could show off more

[@Ewel9]

I've been planning my tattoos one at a time, knowing I will probably be quite covered in the future. Started with two simple paw prints on my shoulder and I've been working my way through to bigger pieces (ribs, calf, thigh), colored and black and grey. Last year I got the idea to start working on a piece by piece-sleeve with a cohesive theme but had no idea how to start since I didn't want to rush into it. Now, six months later I finally have clearer ideas on what I actually want and starting to find the right artist and contact them :) I'm the type of person who needs to be completely sure for at least a few months before going ahead with a tattoo.

[@mr.joeblack3831]

Thank you for sharing your good positive energy, knowledge, and time. You’re the best.❤️

[@dreaaa818]

Your so beautiful😍... I would love too book an appointment with u😊

[@Paula-sw2tt]

I have a total of 21 tattoos. Most were done one by one and only a few have color. I want a half sleeve and that will be planned out with my tattoo artist. Mixed styles.

[@tiffiniforsythe9238]

I just found you, I love your channel and am binging all your content. I have only a few tattoos. They are all different. One is a totally custom piece that the artist drew for me. One is flash art. And one is custom from a note card I brought in from a vacation. One color 2 black and grey. I’m a mixed bag, lol! There’s no right way to express art.

[@arlsmur]

I just came across this video today. This helps alot. I've a geometric style tattoo and a couple traditional style ones and worried that they clash but this makes me feel better!

[@AnnetteAybael]

I'm about to complete a sleeve. It started like a cover up of a hard time in my life with a coulour lotus flower.. then it went on with me asking the artist I trusted to do an important piece on my shoulder/upper arm, my family in tattoos. I was supposed to complete it with colour last year but the artist acted like he owned MY tattoo and wanted to do it what he want. I run away and never come back. Now I found someone who I really feel and want to adjut that tattoo that I came to hate and complete with the image I've been searching for all past year.. I'll show her my ideas and let her make it reality.. my sleeve has became my journey, my story, my evolution.. and I love it

[@hueyyrouge]

My first tattoo I got is an ornamental style on my hip and thigh that’s in black and grey but I would like to add colors to it. My second tattoo, I wanted something super meaningful to me so I am working with my artist on a full back piece in color that represents me and it’s almost done. It will be about almost 2 years so far!

[@mreebikes]

Glad to have you back on you tube. My first tattoo was a Anne stokes cross and dragon(done in black and grey with green dragon) on my right arm. The on my left upper arm is a St Micheal and leopard,(black and grey St Micheal and colored leopard) and a black and grey baby panther,which has slowly progressed into a full sleeve. Lower inner forearm has a memorial to my cat Coco with a angel done in black and grey with yellow sun rays and she has yellow golden hair. Then on my outer forearm i have a lion in black and grey with a red rose (which needs to be finished),as a memorial to my mum and dad.Any gaps and my artist has free range to do what she thinks works best.(green leaves is what we did on my upper arm)Same artist Traci Douglas and all realistic. Love to have a tattoo by you as well if i am ever over in your country.