![]() ![]() If a design that's too contrived doesn't feel right for you, start with a few smaller tattoos and add to them over time. If you're someone who goes with the flow, planning out your tattoo in advance might stifle your creativity. "I would make sure that your goals for your tattoo are communicated and clear, but that you also step back and trust your artist on what they think will work best for you," Wachob says. "Oftentimes people try to art direct their tattoo design, and it kills any sort of excitement or enthusiasm that may have existed for the idea." Gutierrez says if you like the style and the aesthetic of the artist, you'll be happy with whatever you end up with, even if it wasn't your idea.Īlthough it's important to communicate your vision to your artist, collaborate with your artist for the best design. "Think about the future you," Wachob says. "Think about you 10 years from now. If you feel like that design will still resonate with the future you, go for it."Īnother reason why it's important to choose the right artist first is that if you are unsure of the design you want, you can fully trust their input. But since your arm is such a prominent part of the body, choose a design that feels timeless to you and not too trendy. When working on a large area with ample space, you have a lot of freedom when picking the design (or multiple designs). Put Thought Into Your Sleeve Design (But Not Too Much) "Signing up for someone's mailing list is always a great way to stay informed, too." But although Instagram is a great tool for finding your artist, Wachob advises against sending direct messages. "I'd check out their website and see if they have a preferred way of being contacted or if they open their books up at specific times," she adds. Thankfully, finding that perfect tattoo artist is much easier than it used to be with the help of social media. "There are so many amazing tattoo artists who specialize in different styles," Wachob says. "It wouldn’t make sense to approach an artist who does traditional Americana and ask them to do something delicate." In other words, find an artist whose work and overall aesthetic fit that vibe you're going for. But when it comes to prominent, large-scale designs, like a sleeve tattoo, the most important factor is choosing the right person for the job. "It can be fun to stick to a theme, but it’s not a necessity," Genné-Bacon says.If you're only interested in a tiny, hidden tattoo, you can probably get away with going to most artists. When asked if a sleeve should be limited to a specific theme, both Odea and Genné-Bacon answered the exact same way: "Not at all!" ![]() ![]() "I think when there’s a few different styles, keeping things cohesive with all black and gray tattoos looks really great." Theme If you're mixing styles, however, you may want to stick to something more monochromatic. "As long as everything looks purposeful and balanced, I think a mix can look good," she says of combining colorful tattoos with black and gray pieces. Genné-Bacon likes when pieces are consistent, but that doesn't necessarily mean committing to a single style or color scheme. "There will be some subject matter you may want that is better suited to black and gray or color, or to realism versus traditional, and that may change your direction midway unless you plan ahead." Odea likes "collector"-style patchwork sleeves, which often combine different styles and colors based on the individual pieces. For those who know they're planning on a sleeve, however, starting-spot trends have changed. When you get your first arm tattoo, you may not know at the time that you'll want to add on and create a sleeve, so there's technically no wrong area on which to get your first piece. I spoke to top tattoo artists to get their guidance on curating your ideal tattoo sleeve, so you can get the answers you need about choosing designs, where to begin, how long it may take, and more. But the experts definitely have some tips that are worth keeping in mind before you book your first (or 15th) appointment. Well, you may be as relieved as I was to learn there's no one "right" way to do this. But part of me has always wished I'd taken a little more time before I'd started to truly map out a sleeve plan, and I've wondered if I went about it in the right way. I'm so happy with the beautiful work of the three artists who've contributed to it, and I can't wait to return to them and collect pieces from a few other tattooers. ![]() Six years after my first tattoo, my right arm is more inked than not. ![]()
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