Conceptual tatooing

[Centauri4]

I am thinking about a series of tatoos, not individual works but a coordinated, whole-body approach to accent muscle lines. Has anyone heard of this approach or seen an example?

The idea is to use Henna color ink (rust or light brown) and place a "tip" or "point" over the joint of a arm, hip or should (for example) and the add slight (fine) accent lines tracing down 3 or 4 inches. The "tip" would be a scarab or egyptian-style gem (a.k.a. Stargate SG-1 style) in homage to my love for science fiction. The size of this anchoring symbol would be no larger than a fingernail, and the radial lines *may* incorporate a slight tech influence (stylistically).

The overall idea is to add a little at a time but never leave the working looking "unfinished" or finished. There would be symmetry of sorts to the designs (e.g. left knee, then right hip, the left shoulder), and possibly an intertwining balance to the left and right, or front and back works. Subtlety being the underlying theme.

Each tatoo would be no larger than 2 to 3" inches wide and 6 to 8" long. Each tatoo's "footprint" would be (kind of) boomerang shaped with the Point (is it apex?) at the joint and the fine line accents comprising the blade or blades. On some, such as the hip, one arm of the design would be shorter (laterally, or nearly so) and the other longer (longitudinally - down the leg) for example.

I am interested in knowing what you all think of this approach. My wife is getting the first touches of a lower-back dragon this Thursday, and I may see if someone is available to begin my idea.

[nakedjohn]

Centauri, it could be nice, but I am completely against tatoos. Sorry!

[EricNY]

I am thinking about a series of tatoos.....

Hmmm..Sounds interesting, but I can't quite picture it in my mind. I wonder would it be possible to draw it out on your body to get a visual, before you do it permanent?

[EricNY]

Centauri, it could be nice, but I am completely against tatoos. Sorry!

No problem with being against it....care to elaborate?

[Sanslines]

It is a bit hard to visualize. Wish there was some kind of preliminary drawing or sketch of it.

[nudenwv]

being a tattoo man myself it sounds like a time consuming event. my tattoo took about an hour to do in one sitting. didn't bother me much having it done. i think it should be a decision to the individual. some tattooing looks great and is truly an art when done properly and by an experienced tattooist. be sure the needles are not reuseable nor the ink! great conversation starter at nudist resorts! be sure to share with us when it is done!

[Sanslines]

An interesting article on tatoos:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20647003//wid/11915773?GT1=10514

[Sanslines]

Another interesting article on tatoos:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20646423/wid/11915773?GT1=10514

[chuckincville]

Centuri4

Can't help you. I'm not a fan of tatoos. I know you didn't ask for a discussion of the pros & cons - but maybe you could help me understand why someone would want them - what's the attraction?

I like art but I wouldn't want to wear it. To me the human body itself is a work of art. Why the need to change that?
To me most tatoos are like graffiti.

Hope you find someone with your asnwers - and that this post doesn't derail your intended thread.

[Sanslines]

I don't see anything wrong with having a good discussion about tatoos and the process which leads up to them. It could acutally be a very informative and educational experience.

[MoonShadow]

Well, I have four tattoos which I have had since my late 20s. They were quality ones as they have not faded that much over the decades.

If you want a tattoo serial, go for it but be sure it is planned out and sketched out and determine how much of your body you want used.

[Croydon]

Centuri4

Can't help you. I'm not a fan of tatoos. I know you didn't ask for a discussion of the pros & cons .

EXACTLY, no one asked for discussion of the pros and cons and no one asked whether you like tattoos or not.

Centauri, I have one tattoo. I have a tribal tattoo on lower back. I got it done when I was 17. I worked with a very reputable artist and he came up with my design.

I suggest working with your artist on a design before going full force. My tattoo took 2 hours. It was a lot of pain but am very happy

[OZJames]

Centauir4 - I am totally confused by your description. Why don't you get a texta , draw the tatoo on yourself , then post a picture. Then we can all see how it looks.:D

[nudebushwalker]

Henna ink is usually drawn and painted on - so it then provides a 'temporary' tattoo; not the more permanent tattoos using Tattooists' ink that those of us with more traditional tattoos would have..

Are you talking about a proper tattoo job, or more a body painting job (which could still last several weeks, if using the henna type inks..).

Has anyone on here had a traditional tatt' using henna ink ?

As for those out there who have to tell the rest of us how strongly they disapprove of body art - if you can't keep your opinions to yourself, when they weren't actually asked for by the original poster - then why don't you shove them somewhere where they might be better appreciated.

[chuckincville]

for those out there who have to tell the rest of us how strongly they disapprove of body art - if you can't keep your opinions to yourself, when they weren't actually asked for by the original poster - then why don't you shove them somewhere where they might be better appreciated.

As if threads never digress from the original question?

"Shove it"? A little strong don't you think?
Is this an open forum or not?
If it is, I suggest you take your own advice! If it's not an open forum I'll ask the moderator to delete my post and keep my opinion to myself!

with all due respect
chuck

[walter05]

I have a few observations.

1) If you want to accentuate muscles, working out will do more for your health than tattoos.

2) If you want something, I would suggest simple designs to start off. I would think finding a reputable artist is probably very important. I would interview more than one.

When you are ready to select one, I would verify licensing, check the artist with any professional organizations, etc. to make sure that the artist is competent and qualified.

3) I would try something such as the henna that is not permanent first. Find out if you really like it. While tattoos can be removed, they should be thought of as permanent.

4) Be prepared that there are many who would not want a tattoo and don't really want to look at them. Your profile says that you are a computer technician. Prospective clients may shy away from you as a result. Consider the professional effects.

[Captain Curmudgeon]

Want to get to the pros and cons? Go here.

http://www.clothesfreeforum.com/showthread.php?p=172100&posted=1#post172100

I think a sketch would help, Centauri4, but what you have sounds like an interesting idea. Hope to see more.

[EricNY]

As for those out there who have to tell the rest of us how strongly they disapprove of body art - if you can't keep your opinions to yourself, when they weren't actually asked for by the original poster - then why don't you shove them somewhere where they might be better appreciated.

That was totally not appropriate! Chuck did not strongly disapprove of anything. He simply said "I am not a fan of them" There is nothing wrong with his comment.

I do however take fault in the tone of your reply however.

[Sanslines]

Want to get to the pros and cons? Go here.

http://www.clothesfreeforum.com/showthread.php?p=172100&posted=1#post172100

I think a sketch would help, Centauri4, but what you have sounds like an interesting idea. Hope to see more.

Why should we have two tatoo conversation threads simultaneously instead of combining to one thread?

Another important thing to know is that some nudist camp owners do not approve of tatoos or body jewelry which bring any attention to genitals. I have seen people kicked out of a couple of clubs for such an offense.

[grl66]

Centauri4 your idea sounds quite extensive and somewhat original although as has been mentioned some sort of sketch to assess would be ideal.

I think I get the idea though and it brings to mind one concern for me and that is the changing shape of the body. Let's say you go on a fitness bender and bulk up, or later on in life the inevitable sagging and wrinkling happens. My concern would be that the accentuation of your muscles may then actually be in the wrong place. Only marginally maybe, but the accent would not be where you want it to be. That's just my thoughts for what it's worth.

Just for the record, my outlook on tatts. Got em, love em, totally understand people who don't. Each to their own.

[Centauri4]

Thanks for the positive remarks some contributed! I know the idea I purposed was a little hard to visualize, so I offer this in addition:

A series of tattoo at different points around the body, not connected, but joined together as part of a theme or full-body story. If you have seen some of the science fiction movies such as, "The Terminator" and recall when the battle-beaten android's flesh began tearing away at different spots that leans towards what I was thinking of. Together the "reveals" show the true nature of the creature (?) or machine that lies inside the character, even though on the surface it still appears to be ninety to ninety-five percent human.

I really wanted to go for an "alien look" by NOT using black and blue ink, and by steering towards a unfamiliar feel by using more rounded edges (swirls, curls and tails) and less squared-off boxey shapes or details that provoke recognition in the minds of the viewer.

That's a hard thing to do! Perhaps I should have waited longer and sought out a tattooist that could visualize EXACTLY what I was thinking, but I don't think this is possible. Given that tattoo artists are not mind readers, I wonder whether it is possible to find someone THAT good.

Anyhow, the first tattoo is done. It is located on my right hip and is shaped like an inverted "L". The long-leg of the "L" alings with my leg and features alot of brown and yellow colors to give it a ancient Mayan gold (or Aztec gold) appearance, and the shorter portion extends about 5 inches back towards my buttock. The short leg of the "L" consists of two industrial appearing "hoses" that connect into a metal "badge" that appears to be mounted to the surface of my skin. This part of the tattoo is a three-dimensional effect the artist achieved quite easily and to my satisfaction! The hoses may look a little familiar (in human terms) to anyone viewing the tattoo, but the contrasting styles of the vertical and horizontal portions of the design do express the "idea" I was aiming for.

My wife say it looks like a cyborg implant attached to my skin, and that is essentially what I was hoping for.

OF TATTOOS IN GENERAL:
I believe they are a personal expression of inner-feelings, desires or dreams and the idea of commiting to something so completely is one our society sometimes forgets! It is like choosing to create a life, a child, with someone because you love them and want a PERMANENT expression of that love. Some people will disagree with me, but I children do not (or should not) happen by accident!

A tattoo should be consider as something that will last a lifetime and not be something a the believes, 'Well, if I ever stop liking it I will just have it removed by laser.' Of course I also feel this way about adopting a pet into the family, whether it is a dog, cat or ferret, they become members of your family in the same way a child does. And a tattoo is a alteration of the appearance of your body, the body you were born with and that is meant to last sixty, seventy or more years!

We are "only human" though, often forget the impact of the choices we make, and frequently lack the imagination to picture something twenty, thirty or forty year into the future.

I will post a picture of my second original concept tattoo as soon as it finishes healing and looks as good on skin as the idea did on paper.

[newfred]

Centauri4 It is like ballroom dancing if you like it, you like it. Please post a picture.

[bill2me]

Centauri4, I totally agree with you on the concept of tattooing. I have a tattoo that I am very proud of since it represents my family. I believe that a tattoo should represent something or some part of the one wearing it. I hope that you will share the finished work when your tattoo is complete. I think the idea is great. Good Luck !!

[Joontiki]

*clip* The idea is to use Henna color ink (rust or light brown)
*clip* My wife say it looks like a cyborg implant attached to my skin, and that is essentially what I was hoping for.
*clip* We are "only human" though, often forget the impact of the choices we make, and frequently lack the imagination to picture something twenty, thirty or forty year into the future.

I will post a picture of my second original concept tattoo as soon as it finishes healing and looks as good on skin as the idea did on paper.

I love the idea of what you're trying to do! For expense reasons, never mind the pain factor, little independent snippets of tattoos that link together to form a cohesive future vision sounds wonderful! And the "henna" coloring, i imagine, would be really nice! And looking like a cyborg implant . . . well, what can i say, but how cool is that? :-) I, as well, am looking forward to seeing a picture! :-D

I love tattoos, although i don't have any (yet) myself. It's more an expense thing than anything. What i would like to get would definitely not be appealing to everyone. I plan to get a classic 1940/50's "Sailor Jerry" tattoo of a half-naked Hawaiian girl on my shoulder some day. I'm 50, so i'm already too old to have any time to regret it! :-)

I am a little worried that it might be too painful & i have to stop part way through it without it being finished though. That's why i like your idea! I just don't know how to apply that to what i want to get though.

[Centauri4]

I thought I had posted a photo a long time ago.

This work is not inline with the "accent" tattoos I described, and I do like the idea of using Henna to accomplish those. To restate the idea, the conceptual ones I originally imagined were like the little "vents" cut on a violin. I am sorry that I do not know the correct term for these. As far as the way they would change as I grow older, well, that's all the more reason to take care of myself and not go to pieces (if at all possible).

~

[nakeduni]

I wouldn't do any tattoos, but the other night, I dreamed I had tattoos that carpeted my legs and arms. If I ever do it, I'd like to have single integrated tattoo over the whole body as if it was one painting, rather than a series of individual tattoos.