CoverUps

2007-07-19 02:56 AM | 8 comments

Have a look at the tattoo of a skull and roses here…

can you tell that this is a cover-up?
here’s the before picture, and the linework picture

If you have a tattoo that you’re considering covering, please read these guidelines i’ve put together. they might actually help you!

first, the definition of a successful coverup: you’ll hear me use this term a lot! when i say a successful coverup, i mean that the coverup looks like a new tattoo, or you cannot tell it’s a coverup. in my opinion, if you can tell it’s a coverup, then why did you even cover the old piece? successful coverup also means that it flows properly with your body, and makes you happy not only by covering your old piece, but that you enjoy the new piece.

Top 3 things to remember when getting a coverup

1. think about what you want not what you think will cover the old crap that you have. a lot of the time, i’ll have people focused so hard on what they think will be a successful coverup, that they miss out on actually getting what they want. this also goes for people looking for a “quick fix”. a VOID stamp on your ex’s name may be funny right now, but it’s also an impulse action, and it’s likely you’ll want that covered also.


2. size is key in a successful coverup, the new tattoo may have to be at least twice the size of the tattoo being covered, this ensures that there will be ebough room for lighter spaces, and proper distraction from the old piece. it may be a shock to find out how big the new tattoo will need to be in order to cover the old tattoo. i would be prepared to discuss your wishes, but stay open-minded to the suggestions offered as well.


3. proper balance between light and dark, linework and negative space, all important factors. but scribbling black all over one part of a particular rose, and other roses in the same tattoo being obviously more open and less busy, suggest that the scribbled rose may have an old tattoo hiding beneath it. a successful coverup should cleverly mask the old tattoo inside of a new one, making it nearly impossible to distinguish where, what, or if something was covered. if the original tattoo is too dark/ too hard to cover with what limitations you’ve outlined for the project, a few laser sessions might be in order first, to get it lighter thus making it easier to cover. laser has come down in price considerably over the years and i have the name of a good doctor if you need it (Julio Garcia, MD)

hopefully that helps, and if you have questions, or want my advice on covering a particular tattoo, DON’T BE AFRAID, JUST ASK! :)

xoxo nickhole