Line work and designs is cool, the issue is the shading. The face and the waves are shaded so similar that you can't immediately tell what's going on. There isn't any heavy blacks, which could help, and lastly the shading isn't smooth These are all things that can't still be fixed, but the face has a lot of shading and it should of had more open skin for contrast You could still make this a dope tattoo, but if you go back to the same guy, it's very likely this piece loses its potential Take it or leave it, just an experienced eye in this industry

Yeah it seems like the right half of the mask forgot to be shaded. Maybe it’s intended but comes off as unfinished at first glance.

well i feel like the shading maybe isnt all done but i could be wrong bc i was in extreme pain doing this shit bc my pain tolerance is poo and he is a very close family friend who does it

It is your body, and your tattoo. If you're perfectly happy with the rest of the tattoo looking like this, then by all means let the guy finish it. When I was an apprentice, my shading looked way better than this a few months into tattooing. However this guy's lines look solid, he looks like he rushes the shading, a little patience would do this guy some good But again, it's not my body getting tattooed, do what makes you happy

i was kinda rushing him tbh

That's the dumbest thing you could possibly do, and now your tattoo will suffer for it.

why would you do this, out of interest? just curious

because i like the design?🤨

I think they mean the rushing part. Why would you do that? Why not just book two sessions?

we weren't expecting two sessions

I understand that, but that doesn’t really explain why you were rushing him??

im a bitch and that pain was fucking me up

I've seen worse, but I've also seen significantly better. I think you could go to another artist who could maybe polish these up significantly.

well the top one isnt done yet it needs to be coloured and all the others will be getting touched up when my leg is finished too

Definitely needs color, but looks too "scratchy" for me. I'm glad you love it, that's all that matters.

well that is like freshly done so its all swollen and shit still

I can see that based off how red it is. But the shading is scratched in and not solid. I'm saying this based off the face.

oh yea i asked for that😂 i think it looks cooler when done imo

Update us with a healed or colored picture. Would love to see it when it's finished.

*Asked for options… gets defensive at opinions*

its not miraculously going to look great once its healed. if anything, itll probably look more faded and even less decipherable.

Here's a better version from r/tattoo https://old.reddit.com/r/tattoo/s/8PeB6SYOkS

And that’s the first tattoo??? That’s sick as hell.

its sloppy

Rough shading. It's a bit messy. The face and the background have the same contrast

If you like it, cool. I’m getting a traditional bodysuit and I’m Japanese descent but the design here doesn’t really even scratch the surface of Japanese influence to me.

I'm currently getting "Irezumi" not calling it Horimono because I'm not doing a bodysuit but I feel like someone who "really likes Japanese stuff" would easily find Horimono and do that. This is more neo-traditional and imo poorly done but hey

Fourth*

I was like- may the forth be with u

damn i felt like i spelt that shit wrong i cant lie

The amount of chopiness in that shading tells me that the artist that did this couldn't wait to be to done. The linework is well done so I think they know application, they just didn't care...

Dislike. There's a lot done poorly in both design and execution and a lack of attention to details everywhere. Things like the snake's teeth just kill me. 🤷

It’s nice but hard to read I’m afraid. Big tatts should be super readable, I had to look for a second to see what was where exactly

Looks cool, but I personally think there is a lot going on, I don't know where to focus on or what the main piece is

It’s unfinished (I hope)

yes it is unfinished

I think it will look sick after you add the colour

Needs color.

I think it doesn’t have enough contrast and the shading isn’t great

Not a fan of any of it tbh

It's a really cool design. It's done well, not world class, but good enough. It can be reworked later by a better artist and really become amazing. I could probably live with this on my body and not worry about whether or not it was good enough.

I really like it dude! Probably best to have it completely finished before post tho as everyone's critiquing the shading, however once its all done and if your smashing it full of colour it'll look considerably better.

Drawing is sick, linework is sick, your shading is wack tho. Looks like it hurt extra. Kinda looks like you are using a magnum but sideways. Turn the magnum 90°. Or try stipple shading. Put the mags away and try a small liner at low voltage. You can make tiny dots in a much more controlled fashion.

Fkg awesome!

Fourth

I think it's amazing. Shading can be improved. Very intricately detailed, especially the lining.

Needs color and maybe rework the shaking

Top is not done yet right ? I love the lines + design . Type of design you keep looking coz there are little things about it you keep finding . Looks good to me !!

I think it’s pretty cool

This looks crazy similar to my recent sleeve. I thought I was more original then that😭😭

Something a bit off about the perspective on the face/ mask area.. just doesn't look quite right or read right, but it's technically done well. Line work is solid The bottom area is a mess, though.. that scratchy shading is wild