Celtic Themed Tattoos

[Colin]

I really really really REALLY want a celtic tattoo. The only thing holding me back right now is cost. I can't decide which to do first: either a band of celtic knot work, or an Ionian cross (celtic cross). If I go for the cross first, I can't decide where to put it either: upper arm, shoulder, side of lower leg, chest.

I do have a few questions to throw out to the forum...

Is it true that color tattoos fade quickly? If that is the case, I am just going to stick with solid black.

It has been suggested to me that tattoos would not work for me because (as my online nick suggests) I am hairy, very hairy... all over. About the only clean canvas on me for tattoo art is my forehead, and I am NOT getting a tattoo there. Ok... and my feet and palms are hairless too. Anyway... I was just wanting to get some general opinions about that.

And last, what kind of prices should I expect?

-ian

I'm a bit of a hairy bastard myself. It depends on how hairy your arms are. If it's faint or light hair, the tattoo will be fine. If it is extremely hairy and course, it may not work that well.

My first tattoo has a lot of colour wheras the other two are mainly black and grey. I can't say I have seen anymore fade in the colour than in the black. Just remember that red is one of those colours that may or may not set well.

Price? The shop I go to is around $150/ hour

I'll have to admit I don't understand the whole tattoo thing. I can say that I have seen some that were impressive, but none that I really like. I will say that some I have seen here ARE impressive.

Nothing against you guys that want to do it, but I didn't come into the world with any ink and I won't be leaving with any. I'd rather spend my money on other things.

Oh, and nothing will get pierced unless I fall on a sharp stick.

Hey, to each their own, they are definetely not for everyone. My wife doesn't get it either, but like most things I do she just goes along with it. I see it as when I kick it either the big furnace or worms will eat the skin off first, so it doesn't matter I never expected to get more than one, but they are proving to be as addictive and more expensive than kilts.

[Kilted Taper]

Only have one right now, a sgian dubh on my right calf:



Picture taken right after it was finish, all shiny and with a spot or two of blood (apologies to the squemish). My wife and I are looking into both getting a celtic eternity knot, something kinda like this:



inside our forearms. Price is holding us back right now. And tattoos are one thing you don't want to go cheap on. Get it done, and get it done right.

[Mike1]

Fortunately, the hair on my arm is pretty fine, so it still works after it grew back in.

The next one is going to be in Ogham, on the back of one finger.

The fellow that did mine said that white will usually fade away before anything else. He advised using a really high-factor sunscreen on any ink, before going into the sun.

[Colin]

That's a really nice looking tattoo Mike. I had thought about doing one on my wrist, but haven't gone there yet.

[Mike1]

I'm thinking about balancing that one with the Lamont crest, over on the other wrist. Someday.

I nearly put this one on my upper arm and when I saw how well the art turned out, I couldn't bring myself to 'hide' it.

My biggest problem is I can hear a new kilt calling my name, Steve is tempting me with new shirts and vests and there's a certain young lady in Scotland that I am wanting to get back across to see.

[Big Dave]

The fellow that did mine said that white will usually fade away before anything else. He advised using a really high-factor sunscreen on any ink, before going into the sun.

My pic dossn't do my tat justice, but it was done two years ago and it's blacker now then it was when I had it done. I moisturize my tattoos everyday, I know it sounds sissy, but it works. I figure if you are going to spend the money for a tattoo in the first place, you might as well take care of it.

[Manu]

The trick to keeping the colors bright and fresh is...keep them away from long exposure to the sun!!!!! as well as moisturized, especially at the beginning.
To me, my tats are something I dont expect anybody to understand. Each one of them are special in their own way...
"My body is not a temple...it's an empty canvas". Iñaki Soler, 2005.

[Kilted Stuart]

Looking to add another to my other shoulder. I'm trying to combine a celtic feel and a Japanese Martial Art. I think I have it figured out. Will post a pic here if ever it goes to ink. My tattooist is always a 9 month booking. My wife is looking to add one more tattoo on her back. She's talking about a celtic cross and ivey on her lower back. I don't mind, I will see it more than she will.

Kilted Stuart

[arrogcow]

Best pic I have at the moment. It is a celtic knot that I drew.


Adam

[MACKAY]

I have to add mine into the mix as well. This is something I designed myself, and took three 8 hour sessions to finish - 8 hours for the outline, 8 hours for the shadding, and finally 8 hours for the colors and finishing touches.



Brian Mackay