I'm thinking of getting a tattoo..

vict0r · Mon 10/09/2007 00:57:31

I've been thinking for some years now, that I really want a tattoo. But of course, I don't just want some random monkey or something. So after alot of thinking I've concluded that small and fairly simple "V" is what's right for me.

I'm also determined that I want to design my own tattoo to a certain degree. So I've played with some shapes and such and this is my prototypes this far.

It's just going to be a small one on the "inner" part of the wrist. I want it to represent a combination of both firm/hardness and softness. What do you think of it?

Evil · Mon 10/09/2007 01:17:23

Well, a 'V' can look like other things if not done right. A wishbone or bow. Maybe even just a weird shape. The left 'V' looks better, but still too wishboneish. Maybe something more like calligraphy?

R4L · Mon 10/09/2007 03:34:23

I think letters should have more flair, so people know they are letters.

Is Victor your real name? You could have the big V, and ictor in smaller letters next to it. It would look nice IMO.

Neil Dnuma · Mon 10/09/2007 04:20:54

Gregjazz · Mon 10/09/2007 06:18:04

Hmmmm... "V" can stand for various things (besides "Victor"), so look into that. Have you seen LA Ink? That might convince you that when you get a tattoo, you want something REALLY nice--not saying your idea isn't, but just saying you need to really have your mind made up about what you want.

ildu · Mon 10/09/2007 08:06:52

I would think hard about getting a design that you really won't get tired of, and especially if you really want to be the one to draw it. I've sometimes thought about getting a tattoo, and even though I've been illustrating for years (and inking), I'm still not confident I could come up with a drawing I wouldn't eventually get disgustedly bored over.

vict0r · Mon 10/09/2007 18:04:05

Evil: Thanks for the critics. Yeah, the one on the left is the one I've spent the more time on, and I know that it doesn't look very right at all.

Talking about calligraphy, I have thought of getting something like this:

One of the main reasons I'm quite doubtful about that is because my girlfriend is getting a similar one in an "E". And I don't want to bond to anyone in the form of a tattoo, especially not with a girlfriend that I'm not very likely to stay with the rest of my life!

R4L: Victor is my real name too, yeah. Some internet alias, eh?
Your idea could be nice too, yeah but if I get a tattoo I'm pretty sure I want to to have a nice "V" and then rather build on it later.

And what's "flair"?

Neil Dnuma: Yeah that was actually one of my first thoughts, but it's too painted-ish and I really don't want that logo on my arm forever..

Gregjazz: No I haven't seen it. I'll check it out tonight if I find it somewhere on the internet!

I am convinced that I don't just want some junk on my arm that are staying for my whole life, which is why I've posted it here for crits.

ildu: One of my greatest fears (when it comes to this) is just that, that I'm going to get sick of something that'll stay with me for the rest of my life. The designs, as they are now, are not something I'd like on myself permanently, but I don't know what more to do to them which is why I'm posting them here.

Afflict · Mon 10/09/2007 18:11:44

I have designed tat's for ages now, more tribal than anything else.

I will only put my own art work on my body, simply because I feel its personal. (maybe a second or third tat will qualify some other artists work but even then it will have to be personal.

I will say this dude decide what you want on your body then print it keep it in your wallet or oven on your wall, or even as a desktop bg..

The point is simply this if it qualifies after a month of constant viewing, get it. Else don't remember its gona be on you forever.

vict0r · Mon 10/09/2007 18:26:24

That sounds like a great idea actually, Afflict!

But not to complain, it would be nice with some crits on the tattoos too!

Ghost · Mon 10/09/2007 22:04:42

I like the left V in your original post. It has a nice, clear, plain shape, and I am the kind of person who tends not to interpret too much into a body "mark"- so if you say you like the V as a symbol- for whatever harness/softness you assign to it- I say that this first V is a good choice.
The curly one in your second post is, sorry to say it that bluntly, too feminine.

Just a little tip of my own, go visit some font sites and check what your letter would look like in a fancy font. Good places to visit are blambot.com and 1001fonts.com. The latter site has an Unreal Tournament mockup font. That might be worth a try

.

Apart from that, I just can gratulate you on your decision. I have, over the years, made almost a dozen of designs, and some of them are now on display in a little tatto studio in Belgium, but I never found the courage to get one myself. I just don't have the stature for it, I always think.

vict0r · Tue 11/09/2007 17:32:35

Ooh! That unreal tournament "v" is great IMO..!

Hmm... I think I'll play a little with that and see what I get out of it.

Thanks alot Ghost!

Ghost · Tue 11/09/2007 20:18:39

No worries, glad you liked it!

vict0r · Wed 12/09/2007 17:21:01

So I played a little with the non-capital "v" from the UT font, and this is what i have so far:

I think it's alot better and alot closer to what I could put on my body. What do you think of it?

Nikolas · Wed 12/09/2007 17:53:10

I'll be blunt!

Between the the 3 different versions of the "V" you've gone through, a normal subtle tatoo, to a cute, girlish one, and now you're flerting with goth or something with the last one.

I'll be even blunter:

You want a V in your hand/body, but you don't seem to know at all how that V could be seen. It doesn't appear that you want it for aesthetic reasons, cause you go back and fourth to different styles, it doesn't appear to have any special meaning (apart from the obvious one), and somehow it strikes me that you need to consider this a lot more...

Sorry for being SO blunt...

Babar · Wed 12/09/2007 18:29:14

If its just going to be 1 V, I suggest it be balanced, or symmetrical', (so that it looks the same either way). Also, since its just going to be a V, I suggest simplicity. Your last one might be ok, if it was more symmetrical

vict0r · Wed 12/09/2007 18:47:11

QuoteI'll be blunt!

Thanks.

We are talking about something I'll have for the rest of my life, so I'd rather have blunt and honest than nice and dishonest.

No, I don't have a "vision" of what I want my tattoo to look like. I don't know the exact design yet. I have "deeper" and alot more personal reasons for getting this tattoo than the ones I've posted here.

But yes, I do also want it for aesthetic reasons which is why I'm posting it here. I have a good reason for myself to get the "V". The question is only what message the shape of it can send to the outer world.

I were wrong to say that I've actually, really considered the curly one, but I looked into it and thought I'd mention it since Evil mentioned calligraphy. Hope that clears somethings up.

QuoteSorry for being SO blunt...

Thanks for being SO blunt..!

EDIT: I find it funny that you think the latter one is "goth" though. I personally see it as slightly tribal and more tattoo-ish than any of the other ones.

Babar: I'll try to make a more symmetrical version and see how it looks.

Recluse · Fri 14/09/2007 23:29:03

I would talk to a cop, or maybe just your tattoo artist, and make sure that the tat you're getting / the body part you're getting it on doesn't have any extra meanings.

I knew a former prison guard, and he could tell you half a dozen things about any tat you could think up, depending on which gang you're in, etc.

So... just in case...