I’m not looking for advice on WHETHER OR NOT to get a tattoo, but rather looking for feedback on my idea for the design.
I ride motorcycles, and want a tattoo to “compliment” that part of my personality. BUT I’m not a Harley Davidson rider, so many of the motorcycle themed tattoos out there don’t appeal to me. Most people think “motorcycle” and “tattoo” in the same sentence, and they think of a certain image. That’s not what I’m going for.
So. Here’s my idea. I LOVE this image of Rollie Free breaking the American motorcycle speed record in 1948. But I’m considering swapping out Rollie with a “pin-up” style girl, something like this, but laid out on the bike.
If I had to choose between the two, I’d go for the first one. It’s original and shows you have a sense of humor.
As for number two: If you’re married and plan on being married for the rest of your years, go for it. Otherwise, stay away, a lot of women would see that tattoo as “Objectifying” women. Not a good first impression you want to make.
Also, get ready for the tattoo hates to show up in this thread. I’m sure they’ll be along shortly.
Ha! Like the first image. But I’d be concerned that over time, the image would get blurry. I always think simple designs make the best tats. But if that’s what you like, go for it.
(I’ll admit, I’m not a fan of ink. But I’m certainly not going to preach to you what you can or cannot do with your body.)
Let me clarify. I’m not considering one or the other of those images, I’m considering how it would look if I combined them. Picture the pin-up girl stretched out on the motorcycle exactly as Rollie is in the first pic.
Things may be different now, I don’t know. But the old tattoos I have seen are a mess. So I think going for a simple version without a lot of fine detail is good.
I don’t think you should worry about “objectifying women.” The kind of woman who would like a tattoo is not likely to be the kind of woman with a stick up her butt looking for reasons to be offended.
I think it goes without saying, make sure you choose a good artist. Bad tattoos are forever.
I have many tattoos. What I do in the OP’s shoes, is approach whoever would be doing the final piece and have him do some sketches. I’ve found that seeing my idea is an integral part of the decision making process.
I can’t see the picture here at work, but I know the Rollie Free picture you’re talking about. If it were done large enough and with minimal, subtle shading, it would make a great tattoo. That picture and the stories behind it are inspiring.
IMO, the tattoo as you describe it is not risque, degrading, or objectifying to women, so you shouldn’t have to worry about getting flack about it. That pinup girl would be pretty badass to try that move in that outfit.
Nthing what the others have said about making the tattoo big enough to resist muddying with age and sticking to clean lines.
I grew up in a very religious tattoo-hating house and by the time I got past it, then I became too old to get one without it seeming like a midlife crisis.
Maybe I’ll wait until I get a little older and let it be my old-life crisis.
From my experience as hiring graphic artists, I would also agree with the suggestion of having the artist do a sketch first. Some people are better at original stuff than others.
I’m in the planning stages for my next one, and agree with advice about getting an artist you trust and the drawing you like. Cheap tattoos are bad tattoos!
I think the image would work - I’m thinking of getting a pinup girl myself, although none of my tatts are visible in work attire. Traditional pinup or more nudie? Are you wanting a photo-realistic piece or more Sailor Jerry type art?
I’ve been back and forth with my artist a few times and I think I have what I like now, but if I want changes on the day he’ll be ok with that. I’m getting the Lady Justice on the outside of my right thigh, from hip to about two inches above the knee.
I love the idea, but unfortunately the first thing the combination brings to mind right now is the appalling Kanye West/Kim Kardashian video Bound 2 (mildly NSFW). Give it a few months though, I reckon you’d be good.
FYI: Any tattoo artist worth their salt has the responsibility to tell you that because of the bike your tattoo will have to be fairly big, otherwise it will lose it’s detail in a few years and the engine block of the bike will look like a blob. The pinup on the other hand, no problem. I know you want to combine the two but it’s something to keep in mind.
Well, looks like I am not going to go forward with it. I’ve used two different artists for previous ink, and I sent both artists my ideas. Both said the same thing. It would be a cool tattoo design, but would need to be fairly big to show the level of detail it deserves. The horizontal nature of the design means I would be looking at doing it on my torso if it’s a big design, and that’s not what I had in mind.
