[LiteraryLark]

I already have ten small tattoos, but I want to go BIG!

How big?

Let's see...my goal is to have full arm sleeves, a major piece on the back, a major piece on the chest, and ideas for my legs are still underdeveloped.

But here's the problem(s).

How do I decide on a theme? None of my tattoos really have a theme. It may seem obvious that a big piece shouldn't matter on the theme if none of the others match, but to me, big pieces are scary because of the work that goes into it....I don't want something on such a large scale to be "at random", even if it is a stand-alone with the others. It requires a lot of serious thought for a big piece, so where do you find the inspiration? How do you go about choosing a large piece?

[Lefty Seven]

The Last Supper is a popular tattoo theme in my neighborhood.

[LiteraryLark]

LOL Lefty, good to see you again. Glad you are back.

[winter loneliness]

I have a theme on my body which is simple-This is the person I was at that moment in time. I have a few I got with my ex in mind. Those are my favorites. A few on vacation, etc.

my advice is to just get something that means something to you.

after all, you're stuck with it.

most people I know have names of their children, or quotes that mean something to them, or names of places, etc.

not everyone.. I know one woman who was so stuck for ideas she got a slice of pizza tattooed on her arm.

if it works..

[BonsaiGuy]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I already have ten small tattoos, but I want to go BIG!

How big?

Let's see...my goal is to have full arm sleeves, a major piece on the back, a major piece on the chest, and ideas for my legs are still underdeveloped.

But here's the problem(s).

How do I decide on a theme? None of my tattoos really have a theme. It may seem obvious that a big piece shouldn't matter on the theme if none of the others match, but to me, big pieces are scary because of the work that goes into it....I don't want something on such a large scale to be "at random", even if it is a stand-alone with the others. It requires a lot of serious thought for a big piece, so where do you find the inspiration? How do you go about choosing a large piece?

My first tattoo was a giant chest piece. My next one was a larger back piece. I also have a few small ones, but let me tell you that the rewards for going big are really great. The body's response to a tattoo session after around 40 minutes is really something. It's like a meditative bliss. It is so incredibly relaxing that I will usually fall asleep around the 2-3 hour mark.

To your question, I have a very specific process when I search for inspiration for my next tattoo. I will start by writing down the image, objects, or concepts that describe me. These are the things that I feel inspire me or make me who I am, things I like, etc. Now, the most important this with this process is to realize that any potential tattoo is permanent and ask myself "is this going to look awesome when I am 80 years old?"

Next, I look for an artist who's style looks like it will align with my vision. Once I do this, I look for examples online. The purpose of this is not to copy someone else's work, but instead to give some specific inspiration to my artist.

Sorry if this was all over the place. I hope this helps you in some way.

Good luck!

[WishfulThinker66]

Massive ivy vines across chest shoulder to shoulder down sternum. Why? I actually saw another woman with a similar tattoo years ago and it was forever ingrained in my mind.

Huge dragonfly down and across back, shoulder to shoulder and down spine to base of my back. Why? I had just left an abusive situation and was free for the first time in my adult life. This became my totem animal symbolizing that point in my life. It represented the wings I had grown to fly away and strength through change. I have this totem with me everyday.

[Ford Puma]

Online tattoo forms might give you a few ideas.
Thinks about angels as they were very popular a few years ago.
Falling and redemption were also quite popular.
A big back piece will take a long time and may need to be divided up into two or three stages.
You could also give a thought to a plant or tree.
Lotus flowers or oak trees.

[LiteraryLark]

EDIT:

My mom is an up-and-coming artist, and my brother recently asked her to create ideas for his next tattoos with a challenging prompt: Roughly speaking, because I was not a participant I only know the bare gist, but there were five representations plus matching frames of heaven, the universe, earth, water, and hell. He asked her to use any medium, which she used primarily ink and colored pens/pencils. She came up with some brilliant and unique pieces. I want to do something similar. One idea I have is to base the challenge off the 7 chakras. But I'm not sure.

EDIT EDIT:







I sent my mom these photos with this note:

7 Chakra Challenge: For this challenge, I would like your abstract representation of the 7 chakras with colors that coincide with each matching stone. For mediums, blank ink or colored pen is preferred but feel free to experiment with incorporating watercolors with the ink (google watercolor tattoos for reference). I am hoping for unique ideas to contemplate on for a major tattoo piece. Take your time and have fun...Love you!

[piggy momma]

My leg piece is my biggest piece and it is themed around scuba diving - it's a collage of animals I've seen underwater - turtles, octopus, great white sharks, angel fish, it has some shells, and a dive flag. My other tattoos are smaller - I have a half sleeve on my arm - it's just Thumper and has absolutely no meaning whatsoever. i have a turtle on my forearm cause i love turtles. I have my pig tattooed on my calf, I have one on my stomach that says 'the playground is closed" and I have a flower and butterfly on my foot that I got when I was in Hawaii.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I sent my mom these photos with this note:

7 Chakra Challenge: For this challenge, I would like your abstract representation of the 7 chakras with colors that coincide with each matching stone. For mediums, blank ink or colored pen is preferred but feel free to experiment with incorporating watercolors with the ink (google watercolor tattoos for reference). I am hoping for unique ideas to contemplate on for a major tattoo piece. Take your time and have fun...Love you!

I sent this to my mom, and she said she'd love to do it. However, she said that my brother's concept was difficult because there was nothing to base off of; she wanted me to give her specific ideas for how to create each piece.

We are also talking other tattoos as well and getting some ideas

[Velvet Lounger]

You could visit your local library as art books on tattoo designs are usually found in the Dewey/Melvil System, 641.

However, I can certainly recommend 'Great Book of Tattoo Designs: More than 500 Body Art Designs' by Lora S. Irish Her book contains awesome templates. Recommended!

[LiteraryLark]

My mom drew the first concept today. It's a good start.



And here is another idea for a tattoo that my mom drew for me. I'm thinking for this on my rib cage.

[sarahsweets]

Here is my first one, I promised I would do it when I turned 40 but took an extra 2 years to decide on one. I started with Google images and then went to instagram. Then I got recommendations from friends of where to go and went in for a consult. Then Left a deposit and scheduled it!

[LiteraryLark]

2nd concept (Sacral Chakra)

Mom said she'd like to try painting this one.

[LiteraryLark]

2nd Challenge (Sacral Chakra)

Painting by my mom. I loved the way it turned out!