tattoo design help/suggestions/discussion

[softparody]

Hello lovely ladies and gents,

I have the inspiration for my next tattoo, I just am a bit stumped as to how to execute it.
The basic design is the 4 Love Freedom Beauty and Truth symbols from the end credits of Moulin Rouge:





I have two issues with the designs themselves. One is that I think the drawings [especially the dancer] could be improved upon, as they are borderline looking like a really bad tattoo as opposed to an old drawing, but I guess that's something my tattoo artist could sort. Nevertheless, any suggestions on amendments to any of them are more than welcome.
Two is how to make them flow. On me, I am not a fan of 'bitty' tattoos. I don't want them just sitting in a row next to each other, so I need some idea for background or something to link them in some way. The tattoos I have [in my gallery] are all simple and black, so I don't have any experience in colour designs or anything.
I'm not keen on a sleeve or sock - nothing massive, but really just lookng for inspiration from likeminded and artistic people, and for other interpretations.

*phew* hope that was coherant enough

Sarah xx

[Zippy]

To be honest you don't have to have the design finished before you go in, take the pictures in and tell the tattooist what you're looking for and what your concerns are and any worth their salt will work towards what you want it to look like in the end up.

[System_Star]

Yeah, your tattoo artist will tidy it all up for you has the potential to look really nice, though!

In my head, I wouldn't want a background. They look kinda old school-y? You could maybe keep them seperate?

I think it would be nice to have them on your forearms, quite far up away from the wrists. Like, if you stick out your arms palms up you can have the design for Beauty and Love on the inside of your arms. And then when you turn your arms over, palms down you'll have Truth and Freedom.

As long as they aren't made tiny and are quite bold

EDIT: Or maybe even on your legs? Two on your shins and two on your calves?

[softparody]

I know, but I thought since it's going to be a while off before I'll be getting it done, I'd see what other people think. More ideas the better really.

Sarah xx

[triggerhappy]

I think they'd be great if they were on separate bits of your body, but I have no idea as to where.

[Devastator]

Two on each foot! Like along the tops of your toes! Would be really really cute, and only a tiny bit nippy.

[triggerhappy]

Originally Posted by Devastator

Two on each foot! Like along the tops of your toes! Would be really really cute, and only a tiny bit nippy.

That's what I was trying to think of - would look awesome

[Devastator]

Another thought - I will no doubt do a really crap job at explaining it, but you could make the banners like one long piece of ribbon, so that they flowed together? It works in my head, I'll draw it if you don't know what I mean.

[fallen_nemesis]

see I thought it would look cool positioned with the heart and the star( the two red ones in the middle under your collar bones) and the other 2 on the front of your shoulders a bit higher up so they're working with the shape of your body.

That being said it's not an area of my body I'd get tattooed personally.

Take them into a tattooist though and let them rework them first though before you commit to anything!

[Wreakin_Havok]

one on each cheek.

[System_Star]

Originally Posted by Devastator

Two on each foot! Like along the tops of your toes! Would be really really cute, and only a tiny bit nippy.

Would they not look super squashed together? Suppose if the tattooist made a good job of it and merged the two of them together, it would be OK.

In my head I think it would turn out as too much detail in too small a space.

[Connor O'Bain]

I would go with the majority here and go for 4 seperate tattoos and think more about the bod positioning. if it wasnt for the tattoo you already have on your ankle i would say get one on each side of each ankle.

on a design note i would either A: get one artist to design all four or B: see about getting four different artists to design one each. could be interesting.

[Baron Samedi]

If you're set on it being one complete piece you could link them all together by having the text for each one set on one continuous scroll that flows through all four designs.

[Devastator]

Originally Posted by System_Star

Would they not look super squashed together? Suppose if the tattooist made a good job of it and merged the two of them together, it would be OK.

In my head I think it would turn out as too much detail in too small a space.

Not if they were big enough, na. Like £2 coin sized.

[softparody]

Originally Posted by System_Star

Yeah, your tattoo artist will tidy it all up for you has the potential to look really nice, though!

In my head, I wouldn't want a background. They look kinda old school-y? You could maybe keep them seperate?

I think it would be nice to have them on your forearms, quite far up away from the wrists. Like, if you stick out your arms palms up you can have the design for Beauty and Love on the inside of your arms. And then when you turn your arms over, palms down you'll have Truth and Freedom.

As long as they aren't made tiny and are quite bold

EDIT: Or maybe even on your legs? Two on your shins and two on your calves?

The leg idea is lovely, however I have a design that goes over my ankles and up my calf on my right leg.

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

I think they'd be great if they were on separate bits of your body, but I have no idea as to where.

Yeah, I like the sound of this too. In my head I was set on keeping them together, never occurred to me I could place them in different areas. This is exactly why I posted this here, rather than just getting the ideas of a tattoo artist.

Originally Posted by Devastator

Two on each foot! Like along the tops of your toes! Would be really really cute, and only a tiny bit nippy.

That would be really cute.

Originally Posted by Baron Samedi

If you're set on it being one complete piece you could link them all together by having the text for each one set on one continuous scroll that flows through all four designs.

Originally Posted by Devastator

Another thought - I will no doubt do a really crap job at explaining it, but you could make the banners like one long piece of ribbon, so that they flowed together? It works in my head, I'll draw it if you don't know what I mean.

I know what you mean, I'm keeping that in mind.

Originally Posted by fallen_nemesis

see I thought it would look cool positioned with the heart and the star( the two red ones in the middle under your collar bones) and the other 2 on the front of your shoulders a bit higher up so they're working with the shape of your body.

That being said it's not an area of my body I'd get tattooed personally.

Take them into a tattooist though and let them rework them first though before you commit to anything!

That sounds really really pretty, but not an area I would get heavily tattooed, although I have always wanted something small on my collar bone, so if I opt for the different placements, I might put one there.

Originally Posted by Wreakin_Havok

one on each cheek.

Haha, hell yeah!

Originally Posted by Connor O'Bain

I would go with the majority here and go for 4 seperate tattoos and think more about the bod positioning. if it wasnt for the tattoo you already have on your ankle i would say get one on each side of each ankle.

on a design note i would either A: get one artist to design all four or B: see about getting four different artists to design one each. could be interesting.

I like your artist suggestion.


Thanks to everyone who's made suggestions so far.

Sarah xx