Can a Tartan be Tattooed Well?

**Riverkilt** · 16th August 06, 04:55 PM

Wondering if anyone's had success with having their tartan tattooed on - or is that just too difficult for the artform?

Not sure that "surface" art could replicate the look of woven cloth. I know the tartan imprints I've seen on t-shirts and logos seem to "lack" something.

If this is more off topic, sorry, happy to have it moved there.

Ron

**MacHummel** · 16th August 06, 05:18 PM

I all depends on the artist that does your work i know my tattooist that does my work is awesome A friend of mine got tattooed his family tartan(Sinclair) as a argyll sock. So it can be done .

**Tattoo Bradley** · 16th August 06, 05:22 PM

Being as fond as I am of my Henderson tartan, I've inquired and investigated on this over the years. To put it simply: no. Of course, ANYTHING can be tattooed. But, the problem is, even if you had some celebrity level super-tattooist do it, it's NOT going to hold up over the years. It's going to smear and look, well, down right awful. The argyll pattern sounds possible, at least more so than actual tartan. But, I really think unless the "sett" or whatever it's referred to when argyll would have to be quite large for it to hold up over time.

Actually Patrick (Burley FIsh) and I had this very discussion while he tattooed me. We both shared similar thoughts on it.

**Southern Breeze** · 16th August 06, 05:26 PM

So, are you planning on a permanent kilt?

There's a pic somewhere on the forum of a highlander tattoed on a members arm. The tartan on the kilt looks pretty good.

**neo71665** · 16th August 06, 05:44 PM

Not being an artist myself but hanging around parlors and having a real good friend as an tattoo artist we have had the exact same disscussion and came up with the same exact thoughts.

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

Being as fond as I am of my Henderson tartan, I've inquired and investigated on this over the years. To put it simply: no. Of course, ANYTHING can be tattooed. But, the problem is, even if you had some celebrity level super-tattooist do it, it's NOT going to hold up over the years. It's going to smear and look, well, down right awful. The argyll pattern sounds possible, at least more so than actual tartan. But, I really think unless the "sett" or whatever it's referred to when argyll would have to be quite large for it to hold up over time.

Actually Patrick (Burley FIsh) and I had this very discussion while he tattooed me. We both shared similar thoughts on it.

**Riverkilt** · 16th August 06, 08:25 PM

At my age I'm not much worried about fading...

The tattooed tartan hose idea sure would save some money on kilt hose!

Ron

**Tattoo Bradley** · 16th August 06, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

At my age I'm not much worried about fading...

The tattooed tartan hose idea sure would save some money on kilt hose!

Ron

Well, I guess that's always true. It's not so much "fading" as it's "blurring." But, none-the-less...

I do believe it can look good, just not for more than a few years.

What exactly are you thinking about getting?

**Riverkilt** · 16th August 06, 08:54 PM

Well, it started with the idea that I could get a bagpiper tattooed on the inside of my right thigh, just above my knee. Then if someone asked me where my bagpipes were I could truthfully say, "Under my kilt" and show them without being arrested.

Now, I'm intrigued by the idea of tattooed tartan "hose."

Back in massage school the example they give of the effectiveness of massage is to tattoo two rabbits on their thighs. Leave one rabbit alone and regularly massage the other. The massaged rabbit's tattoo fades.

So, maybe the secret of a tattoo with tartan work on it is to place it somewhere that doesn't get a lot of muscle action.

Ron

**Tattoo Bradley** · 16th August 06, 09:29 PM

I definately want to get a bagpiper tattooed on me. That's a definate. As far as the tartan of his kilt, it would be more suggestive than line for line. I also want it portrait style in black and grey...

**Hamish** · 17th August 06, 06:07 AM

Ron,

I know nothing about tattoos - the very thought of having one done makes me go weak at the knees!! However, I did know a chap who had a spectacular one done - it was amazing, although I cannot now remember how fine the detail was ...... this was back in the 60s (19 not 18!!).

As you know, I was at that time a member of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society's demonstration team in London (pic in my album). For performances, the male members of the team had to wear dark coloured speedo-type briefs. One evening in a dressing room where we were changing after a show, I saw one of our team in what I took, across the room, to be tartan briefs. But no! It transpired that he had a full pair of tartan briefs TATTOOED on his body; he was entirely covered!! Yes, entirely!!!! As I say, I cannot now remember whether it was an authentic tartan or a design representing one, but it was VERY effective. He claimed that he could be naked on a beach and no-one would realise ....... but I am not going down that route!!

So, yes, I am sure it can be done.