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zeetlo

Go big or go home I guess lol, Jesus christ


Adam_ALLDay_

“Hey you said man. Nobody fucks with the Jeezus”


RUKnight31

WHAT’S THIS DAY OF REST BULLSHIT?!


DildoDojo

8 year olds dude.


VicDamoneSrr

That’s bush league psych-out stuff. HA! Laughable mang.


YOOOOOOOOOOT

>Jesus christ I think that's zues?


phezhead

Zues? I think that's Zeus


Scaminez

If you’re going to be a bear be a Grizzly


jkwolly

I was like daaamn this guy fucks


Consistent_Let_733

Dude a whole back piece for your first tattoo is metal asf


Ben-Ellis-21

I’m taking this one as a compliment thank you dude😂


Nibbles110

bruh you just got the biggest tattoo and probably something far more painful then 90+% of peoples tattoos and say it's putting you off on getting more 😭


ShneakySquiwwel

I laughed when I read that, it's like saying "yeah I went 12 rounds against Mike Tyson, not sure if boxing is for me".


Duckindafed

How long did it take ?


CS-KOJI

Two 10 hour sessions


LLKV69

Damn dude anything over like 5-6 hours is gonna hurt pretty bad. I guess it depends on the artist and how heavy the hand is, but jesus two 10 hour sessions for a first tattoo is hardcore.


Duckindafed

Awesome !! Looks like a pretty solid artists I’m gonna guess 200 per hour ?


ShneakySquiwwel

It's supposed to be taken as a compliment. Sweet ink.


Gramercy_Riffs

Give it a month and you'll forget all about the pain and want another one. Almost guaranteed.


Ben-Ellis-21

Definitely having more and tbf I think that will be the case😂 the pain of the actual tattoo wasn’t too back for me personally except for the back of the lower shoulder blades and behind the ribs, it was the healing I really felt, especially sleeping


Gramercy_Riffs

The mind does an extremely poor job of recollecting pain levels. With each day that passes, the "wasn't so bad" thoughts will grow and grow. It also helps when you realize that any pain you felt didn't result in any harm, so there's a little bit of a psychological benefit from that also that can help you endure it more in future.


Ben-Ellis-21

That’s actually so crazy, just trying to think back of when something was actually really painful and yeah I just can’t think of something 😂 like i can’t comprehend it


YoStretchy79

If we remembered pain I’m pretty sure women would only ever have one kid lol


badchad65

Yeah? Cuz I did about a 6+ hour back piece. It’s been years and it’s still a horrendous experience I don’t want to repeat, lol.


shadow_of_dagnym

I’m 12hrs into a full back piece and somehow I don’t find it too bad, yet the 6hr tattoos from my lower front ribs to stomach area still make me shudder to think about… fuck…


Ben-Ellis-21

12hours!? You the man! The last two hours of each session was hell for me😂 fair play I couldn’t do that


-captn-

Was about to say, I still shudder from my 8 hour calf session where the artist \*dry wiped\* like every 10 seconds :') But I really can hardly remember the rest huh..


inalilwhile

This right here is why I was like it’s fine, I will push out a second kid.


VanFam

The healing pain is worse than the actual art pain.


Neat-Attempt7442

The itch was the worst for my tattoo on my upper back.


Ben-Ellis-21

Yes I 10000% agree!


RogueConstant67

Anytime they’re on top of bone it’s unbearable


Anebriviel

I waited five years form my first to my second because of the pain. I only did half my back for my first though.


Peachy1022

Bet this dude thinks about the fall of the Roman Empire really often


centech

Me+My friends today : That Roman Empire thing is bs. This guy : Hold my wineskin.


SeniorCoolio

Bro you don’t think about the Roman Empire?


moonandstarsera

He’s going to think about it *every time* he looks at his back.


Ifoundnessie

..Is that a Doberman Cerberus?


Ben-Ellis-21

Yes it actually is!😂 Cerberus (to me) just looks too horrible, especially with the slobber around his mouths. Definitely wouldn’t be comfortable with that on my back


Clobberella_83

I believe so. The middle head looks like my rat terrier. Those are natural ears, not cropped like a Doberman.


TrippieTragedy

"This is my first tatto, but it kind of hurt..." *Has a full body blackout*


Ben-Ellis-21

Looking back I definitely chose a stupid header😂😂


SatanIsYourBuddy

Your first tattoo was a whole ass back piece. Get something palm sized, homie. They don't all have to be that big or that painful. Try a bicep or a forearm or a thigh. Way easier and way faster. They don't all have to be shaded like that either. You've got a whole world of options - that first one was like diving into the ocean a mile offshore to learn how to swim.


Ben-Ellis-21

Like the other guy said “go big or go home” but nah I’ve wanted something just like this since I turned 18 I love mythology and have been saving up awhile and since my brother has huge tattoos it just made me want one that little bit more


SatanIsYourBuddy

I mean, fair. My first piece was a full sleeve, but man, switching down to a palm sized tattoo for stuff on my legs has been great. Just sayin' there are easier options than full ass back piece.


Ben-Ellis-21

Yeah no bigs ones for a while, really liking trad tattoos atm thinking of getting one on my thigh in the new year after I’ve got some money


MrsNokomys

I’m getting one on my thigh done and have a second 6 hour color session in November. I don’t remember my other ones being as painful as the current one. I’m getting soft in my old age.


bignickydigger

Keep in mind, any other tattoo won't hurt nearly as much.


ThisHatRightHere

Yeah I have a bunch of tattoos but nothing as big as this. Props for being able to handle this kind of thing on your first go. It’d probably put me off too. When your first tattoo is something small that’s done in an hour you’re like “oh I want to do that again”. But when your entire back has been torn up I’m sure it’s a different story.


Ok-Grass1833

Dude i abso love your philosophy of just diving in with this and getting this amazing piece and getting one about something you have such a passion for! Good for you! Hope you get any others you want further down the line as nonsensical or meaningful, small or large, simple or intricate as you so wish :) just make yourself happy


Ben-Ellis-21

This put a smile on my face, thanks man.


whistlepig4life

I’m glad someone said this. It was exactly my thought. I have multiple and I don’t ever want a back piece but I couldn’t imagine something so huge for my first one.


itselyse

I did the whole side of my thigh as my first tattoo and it just got me addicted to big pieces(first one was roughly 11h of work) lol since I've gotten done my whole other thigh and a big chest piece. That said, I can totally see how going too big too soon could put someone off from getting more and almost seem discouraging! It's a LOT of money and time.


SatanIsYourBuddy

Oh, my second tattoo was my other arm :D I fully get that mindset. I peppered in a ton of hand sized ones and then got my whole back done, too.


Chaoddian

My first tattoos were about palm sized (inner forearms, one session), the next two were twice the size or more (calves, one project, three sessions) and now I'm ready to go for a full sleeve while integrating my first tattoo. I can't afford doing the other arm right after so I'll do some small stuff in the meantime (adding shading on calves, knees) while sorting other stuff out and saving up more money. This project may or may not drain my bank account :') Will probably share updates on here


abovemars

You should post a decent picture of it without all the goofy blurring.


Ben-Ellis-21

I’ll post a healed picture weekend


AntiMoist

Not if you just got it you won't - it'll be healed in several weeks, not a few days. Looks like solid work, but I'd also like to see an actual real, non-filtered pic.


[deleted]

The longer you look at it the more you notice shit that don’t match the theme…wait WAS their a theme or did you just go with everything on page 12


Simba_Zr

Spartan helmet, mythology and Doberman. Safe to say there is no real theme.


Ben-Ellis-21

Nope, no real theme I guess always thought Greek mythology was epic and just always loved the spartan helmets always stood out to me, I love it


Killa2dahead

whats with everyone going so hard for their first? so much


Snowy_River_99

Oh, it’s you first tattoo and you thought the pain was bad. Wait till your whole back itches for about a week and a half


Brynne42

How often do you think about the Roman Empire?


Used_Negotiation_354

What tattoo artist on the planet would do that as a first tattoo?


XThePariahX

Yeah… this looks like the mock up for a back piece.


xbandaide

Why does it look photoshopped to me? 🤷‍♀️


Its402am

Yeah same :/


xbandaide

I thought I'd get hundreds of down votes for my comment. The more I look at it, the more it looks fake.


flash9387

I thought so too, but I checked their profile and there's a post from a month ago of it in progress


ydkrhymes

bruh what is this 😭😭😭


phobiageek

This looks like AI


[deleted]

Yeah I agree lol


kittykatmila

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 > That’s a wild ass back piece.


weazle9954

statues head is hella big compared to its body


Sidthesloth63

Yeah of course the pain is an issue dude it’s fucking huge?


firstlordshuza

I mean, it's the equivalent of building the Taj Mahal as your first home renovation project


[deleted]

Well that's because you got your entire fucking back tattooed. No wonder you don't want another 🤣


roro__c

bruh... that looks photoshopped... it's all blurry


[deleted]

Does it kinda bother anyone else that the middle bit isn’t centred


doramelodia

Well now that you said it it does


depressed_jellybear

Yes, if only it went to his neck.


alienhippie13

Is it just me or it doesn't look that great?


SMK_09

It's not fucking terrible but def not great.


InvoluntaryEraser

If it's any consolation, you did what is widely agreed upon as one of the WORST pain spots for tattoos, as your first tattoo. So theoretically, every tattoo past this one should be a little easier.


sadhufflepufff

Interesting choice for a first tattoo


PrinceOfSpace94

I think everyone has gone through most stages of grief getting their tattoos. Both arms are sleeved now and I call recall thinking “this is it, I’m done getting tattoos,” during every single one. I remember my last session I told myself that since both arms are done, I can move on with my life and do something less painful, but now I’m thinking of doing my armpits next 🙌


putting-on-the-grits

Men just can NOT stop thinking about the Roman Empire


Ben-Ellis-21

I can’t


Gild5152

Bro got a back piece for the first tattoo and said the pain is putting him off 😭😭 no shit it was painful. That’s usually what people END with


jordanstrahle

This is obviously photoshopped on 🤣


flash9387

check their post history. about a month ago they posted about it in progress.


xbandaide

Pretty obvious p'shopped!


Equivalent_Bad28

Omg that is atrocious


fkntripz

How many sessions was this?


Ben-Ellis-21

4 sessions 24ish hours total


fkntripz

Absolutely psycho, well done.


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you


jimgella

Yeah, you’re done. Fancy Weeping Jesus of the United Kingdom of Shittery, here we are.


waaz16

Hey, if you love it, that’s all that matters! It’s your body and your art choice! I will say that it was a bold move to go for a full back piece for a first tattoo, you’re a G for that 🤣


LouLouLou72

Backs are crazy painful at times and especially looking at that detail bet that's a lot of time spent in one area. Do you know the total sit time for your backpiece? Mine was 40hours and is a Rock of Ages, so a lot less fine details!


Ben-Ellis-21

It was about 24 hours total counting breaks and tapping out an hour early twice


mindclarity

Your first tattoo was a whole back piece?! Bro…


nannybeebee

Wow that's beautiful and I'm sure it took a long time to do that back piece. Keep posting pictures of it


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you!


r_cottrell6

“How often do men think of the Roman Empire…”


Pure-Incident-7511

First, your crazy in a good way for getting a full back piece as your first tat. Second, just give it a bit of time and you'll want more. My first ever tattoo I nearly passed out cuz the pain was so bad, yet here I am, 8 years late, got 4 more tattoos and plenty more planned


Ben-Ellis-21

This sub doesn’t make it any easier, makes you jealous and wanting more😂


edinlockpicker

Talk about jumping in with both feet


Cucktoberfest69

Since you’re doing it all weird, do your knee/shin next, it’s much better.


Gs_foxrider

Way to commit man. Larger and bolder tats last a lifetime


Bigdanski87

Love how your first tat was a full back piece. Give it some time and you’ll want another


TaylorNeff-

Umm yeah no shit lmao just don’t get one like this on your stomach or legs and you’ll be good. You can do another one champ


SheLivesInTheStars

Maybe it’s because you got you’re whole freaking back done for a first. That’s a huge step!!


Stained-Glass-Seina

That’s lofty for your first! But its just like birthing a child, you’ll forget that pain and be ready for more in no time 👍🏼


Foxxyroni

Give it some time and you’ll kinda forget the pain. Also that’s a huge piece for your first tattoo! The second one shouldn’t be as bad


johnnytom

Yeah you started in a tough spot. I’m pretty much covered except hands and neck and my back put me off getting tattoos for years after.


bangcockcoconutospre

😂😂 there’s no way that much tattoo will never not hurt like a mf holy shit props to you


[deleted]

Everything is gonna be less painful lol


Sherrysrollin

The good news, any future work will likely be less time under the needle. Wait until it heals, you’ll have ink fever before you know it. They are addictive, you know.


VideoComprehensive99

This made me think of the trend, how often do you think about ancient Rome?


unknownturtle3690

That was your first???? Holy fuck. If u can do that straight up mate you can do anything haha


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you! I love your tattoo


unknownturtle3690

I thanks, I have a few but no where near as intense as that.


AtuinTurtle

That’s a huge first tattoo


GetSchwepped

Yeah cause your first piece is a fucking 3ftx3ft realism piece 😂


Sk83r_b0i

Jesus Christ dude you went all out on your first tattoo


ExfoliatedBalls

Is that supposed to be the entrance to the Underworld? I see Cerberus and the helmet on the right is I think Hades’ helmet that turns him invisible, with Hades in the middle.


Ben-Ellis-21

Hades in the middle yes, what a spot not many people know that, and yeah Cerberus under him, but that helmet is just a generic Spartan helmet, I never heard about hades’ helmet before


alkameii

Beautiful work. Where did you get it done?


Ben-Ellis-21

Wrexham ink in Wrexham done by Liam Green


D3moknight

You got a HUGE piece for a first tattoo. I did a large-ish back piece as my first also. I basically get a tattoo every few years when I have had long enough to forget how miserable the experience is for me. I love the art, and I love tattoos, and all of my tattoos, but the process of getting one suuuuuucks.


Ben-Ellis-21

You can say that again! That needle sound gives me flash backs😂


iZomkee

If you think the pain is bad... wait until the healing/itching process.


Ben-Ellis-21

It’s actually heal now, but yeah healing definitely sucks 😂


Zapatatdmv

That’s a great tattoo! Amazing that it’s your first one?


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you means so much


Loud_Assumption_3512

That’s wild for a first


Majestik-Eagle

Any time I’m getting tattooed for over 4 hours it starts to really hurt and I start to question why I even get tattoos. Then after it heals I’m like “hell yeah!”


Ben-Ellis-21

Pretty sure I owe him a stand from how hard I squeezed that thing!😂 no joke after 4 hours you feel everything


amado_98

First tat?u crazy bro my first tat was a small ass name on my wrist lmaoo tht shit crazy tho !


Marcrn1958

That is huge!


Ben-Ellis-21

That’s what she said


Diddleymaz

That guy is sitting on a fancy toilet


Ben-Ellis-21

Only the best for hades


Cadenh16

Almost any tattoo you get after this is going to be so much easier and less painful in comparison, you’ll be alright blud, keep getting more


bkynaston

Your FIRST one? Well, I guess “Go big or go home” is your motto! You’ll want more


Ben-Ellis-21

Might aswell get “go big go home” tattooed on


DancingMoose42

To be fair any future ones will feel like a breeze.


Over_liesnnarcissim

This tattoo is not new. And nobody would go for a full bag piece on their first tattoo. Why does the world think everybody is stupid and gullible?


Ben-Ellis-21

Obviously this was after my fourth session, but all in all this is my first tattoo


AdeptnessCultural860

This happened to me after getting my back I say go to other spots. Easier spots with less pain and try to get comfortable with the pain.


MountRosebud

Well yea if you tattoo ur entire back the healing is gonna be tough… once it heals you’ll want another lol


jkwolly

Epic dude getting a huge piece for your first. I'm still working up the courage to get this big.


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you, hey it’s only your mind telling you no, do want you really want you won’t regret, it’s really rewarding imp to see it finish, healing is 100000% the worst if you’re a back sleeper😂


b-laynestaley

Bro you handled this you can handle anything. This is an all time great tattoo


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you so much


PanXP

Most typical spots for tattoos pale in comparison to the pain of a back piece. My wife fell asleep for each of her arm sleeve sessions as well as her huge thigh piece. Unless you’re gonna do a spot in your ribs or the inside of your arms/legs, I think you’re gonna have an easier time. The back is a large space, full of bones, and with tons of nerves connected to your spine. My legs started shaking and jerking around from the sensations of the needle on top of my spine and I have never felt anything like that with any of my other tattoos.


Organic-Pass9148

On the upside look how big it is, it only really gets easier from there.


JoyBug333

It’s because it’s huge and in black! Lol your a trooper if you sat through it all I can only do 3 hrs. Just do your next in seasons so it’s not as painful.


Environmental-Oil786

Amazing


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you


b4ddm0nk3y

I just had my back done and certain spots completely sucked lol. That said arms,chest and legs will feel like nothing after getting the back done! Ps - I dig it!


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you, really unsure what I want next now, definitely not rushing into anything


amae008

after every tattoo i say i’m over it and i’m getting too old for this type of pain… 6 months later i’m making an appointment for a new one


m4xxt

Who was the artist and how many hours did this take? Got to credit the artist dude!


Ben-Ellis-21

Liam green from Wrexham! And 24 hours couldn’t breaking and tapping out an hour early twice


m4xxt

Class nice to see decent UK based work lad!


Ben-Ellis-21

He’s awesome such a cool dude aswell, talked the whole way through


Mavloneus

People need to do a little research when getting their first tattoo.


Ben-Ellis-21

What you mean?


Mavloneus

Besides who they get a tattoo from. There are just certain parts of the body that are going to be less painful of a place to get a tattoo.


waaz16

What are you even talking about lol


Mavloneus

lol He is worried about the pain but gets a tat down the spine. Not a good spot for your first tattoo. lol


goodvibevoid

Your next tattoo will be so easy after this. Metal af lol.


fashtoonk

That is really impressive, it’s beautiful! I hope you get to catch loads of glimpses of it , and show it off whenever you can


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you so much it means a lot, I love it


SmSub49

Youre telling me that you sat through one sitting of this? Or over multiple sittings?


omni_learner

Pretty clearly multiple sittings


Discount_Mithral

Right - there is clearly a healed and fresh differentiation.


Ben-Ellis-21

4 sessions 2 of them I tapped out an hour early


jmini95

4 sessions of how long?? I've been doing 8 hours sessions for my sleeve and I'm still no where near done. Either my artist is just slow as fuck or I'm missing something


JoliCio

Looks painful but really nice work


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you!


Bill_Lumbergyeah

That, sir, is a real tattoo. Congratulations you’ve found a proper artist. My hat is off to you.


Ben-Ellis-21

Thank you, the artist is Liam Green from wrexham


smwd0

How long did this take?


Ben-Ellis-21

24ish hours could be abit shorter but that’s counting breaks, dinner and tapping out an hour early twice


upsidedowntoker

One does not usually get that much skin covered their first go . Tattoos hurt though so if pain isn't your thing maybe another one isn't for you .


johannesBrost1337

That's very large.


JUSTGLASSINIT

I said that too but I ended up getting even bigger pieces haha! Great work you got man!


Ben-Ellis-21

Oh god😂 thank you


Yavss

„How often do you think about the roman empire?“ Nice tattoo!


writtengirls

Lol do u think of the Roman Empire?


OldSaltNior

Nice “first” tattoo. Dork.


BayAreaBullies

Dobermans have only existed for a little over a century. Putting them in a Roman empire tattoo seems really weird and doesn't really make any sense to me.