Simple Body Mapping for Tattoo Sleeves | Fireside Technique | EP 49

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In today's episode, Jake demonstrates his method for mapping the arm for tattoo sleeve design. Jake uses a combination of traditional tattoo body mapping techniques along with digital design. The result is a cohesive tattoo design that fits the arm perfectly with minimal effort. Enjoy
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[@lopezart2853]

Just draw some markers on the arm and take pics of different angles of the arm. Then line up all the marks with the different angle pics.

[@pierranoid]

Bro I appreciate how you simply re-explain the shit we had to learn in real life, It's crazy to see digitally what had to do for fucking years and years and years… its fun!

[@rayatwood]

Glad press and seal. Get it, love it, use it.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

I hear that a lot. I'm going to give it a shot on my next one. Thanks

[@SummerLangfordRWDCBSNL]

Thank you for this! I've been trying to make a basis for my half sleeve and I feel this will help so much to show the tattoo artist what I want on my body and how I want it placed.

[@timmmyers2653]

Press n Seal works awesome! I've been using it for years and have told many to use it. It has a frosted finish so there's no glare and it adheres to the body. Peel it off and stick it to a paper.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

That's what I've heard. I will definitely give it a shot. Thanks

[@debbieelliott532]

As always, absolute gold!!! Thank you from Canada!

[@greencontinuum]

Thank you so much for this. I especially love the idea of lining up the small symbols to better place the stencil!

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Your'e welcome. So glad it was helpful

[@Carboninkk]

This is dope Jake thank you so much for being a vital growth point for the industry

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielpushcarich3857]

Man, I'm SOOO glad I got the Fireside Simplify course when it First came out. Changed my whole process for how I approach custom work. Especially when A client wants it on a weird area like ribs to shoulder. thanks Jake, such a good pocket of info I can keep referencing.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks Dan!

[@akosgera6744]

Hi there! First of all, I really appreciate the channel, I started following it about two years ago. Tons of very precious information, it's great. My main way of making a body map is pretty easy. First, I'm thinking about the overall composition. For example, I'm going to start a Cerberus (The three headed dog) full sleeve in the weekend. I had to find out where the heads and the other main parts will be going. I sketched it on the client's skin with a sharpie, then I covered the whole arm in cellophane wrap (It can be a bit tricky, if the wrap streches, it could be distorted, so I usually use a thicker version of it). Then I copied the drawing from his arm to the cellophane. I cut if off in a straight line on a place, where it will be easier to "cut" the design to be flat. Most cases it's the inside of the arm. Then I unfold the cellophane wrap with the sharpie marks on a flat surface, and I cover that with a tracing paper, then I copy the lines onto it. After that, I can start making the design manually, because I'm not really a tech guy. Then I make a 1:1 stencil out of it, and it will be accurate in most of the cases.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks for sharing. I have seen a few artists use that type of approach where they draw on the skin and transfer it to cellophane. Makes perfect sense!

[@mr2wo]

Definitely golden advice

[@user-wc9mm3sq2m]

this is helpful, how do you go about printing it out to size once drawn up?

[@kailyn.bw.]

Oh my gosh, super helpful. Thank you!

[@JL-rx7ou]

Wow I wish my tattoo artist who did my sleeve used something like this.

[@kreaturs_kave]

Thank you

[@horikane7072]

Damn this was a very helpful video. I often struggle making a cohesive stencil from the iPad for larger things, so I end up freehanding in a lot of elements in to simplify the process. I used to use tracing paper and do it the old way before I got an iPad.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Awesome. Glad the video was helpful. I think most people end up hand drawing a lot of the connecting areas. You might still have to draw a little with this method but not nearly as much

[@chrissajdik]

I use ‘onion’ from thermal paper for tracing body then picture with futuristic drawing device. Didn’t know it was possible with full sleeves though, makes sense now. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks a lot for watching. Not sure what "onion" is

[@raytrombetta469]

I feel like thats the sheet that goes in the stencil paper that we usually dont use

[@Rachelbonestattoo]

i used to use contact paper alot but one day i had run out so i used seran wrap or cling wrap. i found if the piece isnt too large you can photocopy it and it takes away all that glare

[@hifi8844]

Amazing advice was running into that problem myself. I've never seen this explained. Thank you.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks for watching!

[@hifi8844]

@@FiresideTattooNetwork I forgot to ask you would there be any need in tracing the arm like this if we have 3d models now on pro create ? Is this method better in some way still ?

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

@@hifi8844 I think there is still value in this. I haven't used the 3d models yet but everyone's arm is pretty unqiue. I prefer to have the exact measurements of the clients arm. I'm sure we will soon be able to scan and import the clients arm accurately though. When that happens, this method might become obsolete

[@Astralbody333]

This video is right on time! I'm working on a leg sleeve for my wife and I'm doing as much research as I can before I begin! Great content man!

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Awesome! Glad our timing was on. Happy Holidays and good luck with the leg sleeve

[@Daggerpathtattoo]

Thanks so much. I've been getting requests for sleeves and leg sleeves lately but I have zero knowledge on the process and the shop I'm at, there isn't anyone I can ask so yah, thank you.

[@Midknightalpha]

That's cool man, thank you for your insight. I have begun doing something similar to this about 2 months ago. It really does help to blend the physical tracings with the digital photos ! I appreciate your time in making these videos.

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks for the support!

[@RitaLystrom]

Great advice, the symbols are great keys. Thank you for this resource! I will sometimes also measure key areas because the paper doesnt always lay flat especially for clients with a lot of muscle. I wonder if there is a light slightly sticky fabric material..

[@MrZbel]

Great Video! Thanks

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks for watching

[@retokohlertamburini9755]

What a great video: it really makes 100% sense - thank you very much 👍

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks so much

[@danwengert5255]

Been watching since covid started ! Love the videos ! Been super helpful and I use alot of the techniques and its definitely made me a better tattoo artist !

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks so much! Glad you found us

[@sydbis]

Cheers man! Very very helpful!

[@llobo3901]

Great info

[@x_z0mb1_x]

Great tips Jake

[@maryhasnolambasmr]

Great video thanks so much!

[@aitana6455]

This was so goddamn helpful!

[@lorealarcon869]

This was really helpful. Thank you so much

[@user-zs9tc7bu1d]

Dude. Ty. So helpful🙏

[@thecolorfulchristian]

wowwwwww! this helped sooo much! Thank you :)

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Thanks for watching. Gald it helped

[@theeZannypants]

Fantastic tips!! Thank you so much for sharing. Sleeves are hard haha 😅 my mentor uses contact paper and the big tracing roll. I’ve been trying to do digital, but now I feel dumb for not using both lol! Thank you 🙏

[@FiresideTattooNetwork]

Great! Glad the episode was helpful. I haven't tried contact paper yet but I think I will. I'd like to do a comparison episode soon

[@grjk5044]

Great vid. I'm not quite getting the full of how the actual mapping goes particularly for the shoulder into upper arm part. Can you do a video of just the measuring with the tracing paper part, but in it's entirety? Or if anyone has a link that addresses that specifically, please share, google is failing me.

[@andyhowden7655]

How would you print the correct size to fit the markers on the skin

[@niyaounchith321]

Saran Wrap. Then ducttape the arm just to get the pattern and measurements. Like sewing and/ draping clothing on a body form. I guess one could say that you’re draping a tattoo during the fitting session before the big day the big day that you get married to your tattoo. 🎉

[@leahollsson129]

how does one go about this with realism? I can imagine this is slightly easier when doing something like Neo trad or illustrational because it's your own drawing. But if you were to do a whole realism sleeve with say your clients idols that need to be recognisable, would you still map the entire sleeve or map it and then do it it sections?

[@br4ndon21]

Great video how did you actually wrap that whole stencil around the client's arm?

[@MiguelMartinez-pz1lm]

have you try 3d models. ?

[@lynnpatton468]

Did you draw the design on? Or stencil it?

[@scrambledgreg3834]

Press n seal

[@sydneyjae4304]

So once you had the final trace on the iPad how did you print it correctly?

[@sydneyjae4304]

Ohhh you just hand drew it onto the body right?

[@aliyahelizabeth5539]

Hello there! I am a sophomore in high school and I recently got my first ever tattoo client. All of our interactions have been through email and I’m a little puzzled as to how I would go about mapping my drawing on his forearm. For reference, he wanted a dragon sleeve. He suggested that I do it on paper first, send a picture, and then the tattoo artist can fix the dimensions from there. However, in all honesty, I don’t trust my client and I feel like there could be problems with that. I was curious if I should just go ahead and make a normal sketch or go about doing what you did in this video. I’m just afraid there will be complications transporting it and trying to translate the wrap around in the shop.

[@urmomsh0use]

Bro I can't pay attention to what he's saying. Wtf is that hat 😂