Tattoo Idea

[PyroSikTh]

Thinking of getting my Smiley Face Avatar tattoo'd on me somewhere, but I'm not sure where.

Any ideas?

[Architech]

clearly where the lapel would be...

I must say I'm not a fan of the idea, but if you are then go for it.

[edmundblack]

You sure? I mean, I know it's ultimately your call and all, but really? Tat's are just ... ergh. They fade, go wrinkly as you get older and they always always always turn that bland blue/green colour of smudge. I'd suggest not, or perhaps going for a temporary one to see if you can live with it and don't instantly loathe it.

[PyroSikTh]

Well I'm pretty set on getting something. LadyM wants something too. Originally I was just going to get a black band round my wedding finger, but I keep hesitating because I can imagine how painful it would be. The smiley face is something people online and offline associate with me, so it makes sense.

As for it fading and wrinkling as you get older - so does everything. Gotta enjoy life while you still can

[Architech]

I think perhaps if what's keeping you from getting a tat you might want is the pain, then you might want to spend some time thinking this over for a while. Get temporary ones and see how you feel waking up with a smiley face on your body every day. I'm not opposed to tats in general...but because this is your first...you want to be 100%. Consider this: the average lifespan of a tattoo is 2-3 years...so you know...be sure

[DrakonTheNightLord]

...A smiley face tattoo... on your face!

[tone.tran]

I'd generally suggest somewhere that is low-key. Really think on what Arch has said though. You want to really be sure. A smiley would stand out as well so making sure you really want it is important. I think my only problem with getting a tattoo is the tattoo will always look nicer in your mind, but once it is on skin, many generally don't turn out as well as you envision. That's why keeping it simple and low-key is often a better choice. Unless you want to go big

[Architech]

especially with something small and colorful...especially a yellow...

hey...honestly as long as you're not going green (hardest to remove)

[tone.tran]

Well, I think somewhere easy to conceal if it ever came down to it is a good place. However, that is the thought of someone who will not be getting a tattoo. You may have the opposite intentions in mind

[daddy4count]

Caution: tattoos are addictive!

oh, and tend to also be expensive!

I have two so far... only money keeps me from having ten more.

Any tattoo has the potential to be regretful... but you're okay with a smiley face. Worst case it's a laugh when you're sixty. Better this than a womans name or your favorite politico!

The beauty of a well done, and well placed tat is that nobody has to know about it if you don't show them... and usually they get ignored as ordinary. Only your close friends will ever say "Cool!" or "That's stupid"

Get it on your upper arm, shoulder or chest.

keep away from "thin" skin areas like joints and shins... those hurt. Near the spine hurts, anything on the head hurts like hell... otherwise the pain isn't bad at all. Less than a bee sting if the guy is any good.

I say go for it!

Take very good care for the first two weeks... A&D Ointment is awesome, use sparingly. After a week or two it will be healed and you'll be looking for your next one!

One more caution on colors... not everybodys skin will take every color. Some folks will loose reds or yellows... they just fade out to nothing over time.

A good buddy of mine has shirt sleeves and his skin doesn't hold black... so all of the black lines have faded to red on his work. Still looks good, but not the way it was intended...

[PyroSikTh]

I think perhaps if what's keeping you from getting a tat you might want is the pain, then you might want to spend some time thinking this over for a while. Get temporary ones and see how you feel waking up with a smiley face on your body every day. I'm not opposed to tats in general...but because this is your first...you want to be 100%. Consider this: the average lifespan of a tattoo is 2-3 years...so you know...be sure

Nah, what's been keeping me back isn't the pain, it's the permanence of it. I've spent years deciding purely because I want to make absolutely sure. Upon thinking about it, I might get a small one somewhere discreet, but then that kind of defeats the point. I mean, why get your skin marked and pretty if no-ones going to see it?

[tone.tran]

I think find a place that is easily concealable if you like, but can be visible as well. I thought about getting a bass clef on my left wrist since I play a lot of music and am very passionate about it. If I ever wanted to cover it, I could wear a watch. Otherwise, I could leave it bare and have it show. It doesn't have the jump out effect as some people may want, but I don't think a face on your face is a great idea either (to look at the other extreme)

[Architech]

I don't know...I have trouble imagining that the smiley face from The Watchmen is really important enough to you to be a tattoo...seen or not. And remember it's not for other people...it's for you...YOU need to want it where you want to see it.

But these are just my opinions

[PyroSikTh]

I don't know...I have trouble imagining that the smiley face from The Watchmen is really important enough to you to be a tattoo...seen or not.

Really? It's grown to be my identification online, on various websites. It's even a form of identification for me offline as I have scarfs, badges and shirts all with that Smiley Face on.

[commandojimbob]

At the end of the day Pyro, if you associate yourself with the intended design that is all that matters - Tattoos are very personal. For me I have none, and I cant imagine ever having one. My Sister spent a number of years as a Tattoo artist, and actually draws and sells tattoo designs as an on the side thing (all be it , not on the side of much at the moment). She has LOTS ! and so does her partner - every Tattoo means something to them - but to an onlooker, they are just pictures, some genuinely impressive pieces of art, some that look like "WTF is that scribble"!

As for a place to put it - I would imagine somewhere where you have a reasonably flat area or if its curved, not likely to bend / warp with growth / age. Perhaps as simple as top of your arm.

Now if I was to get a Tattoo - I would get an Inquisition seal / rosette with the wax part red with the Inquistion symbol and on the paper, my wife and sons name with some latin writing of "forever my love" !

[PyroSikTh]

Now if I was to get a Tattoo - I would get an Inquisition seal / rosette with the wax part red with the Inquistion symbol and on the paper, my wife and sons name with some latin writing of "forever my love" !

That sounds awesome!

[scythes]

I have four tattoo's myself, all have something to do with my life or the Marine Corps. It started when I first joined and I got a old english 'USMC' never thinking I'd get more. Now I have four total and want more. Like was said before, they're addicting, you get one you'll want more, regardless if it hurt or not. Even my wife has four, after her first she said she'd never get another because she can't take pain, but then the memory faded and she got more. She always says she won't get more but always wants more later on. If the smiley means that much to you, go ahead and get it. I would say get it where your lapel would be, where it's worn in the movie, not in just some random spot, it won't quite be the same.

Maybe we should start a thread with pics of people's tattoo's, give those thinking about getting them ideas or push them away from it.

[PyroSikTh]

I must be honest, I'm not liking the lapel idea. Lapel placement makes sense on clothing, but on bare skin it would just look like it was randomly placed. Not only that, but no-one would ever see it, and it would be awkward to show to people. I don't really see the point in getting a tattoo if no-ones going to see it.

[PANDAmBEAR]

How about your wrist? It can be hidden with a watch or long sleeve shirt for business and it can be easily visible for friends. If it's the inside of your wrist it won't be that noticeable especially as long as it isn't huge. [: I'd go for something about the size as a wrist watch band. [:

All of my tattoos are hidden but visible if I want them to be shown. [:
I have one on the back of my neck that no one knows about unless i take off my necklaces and pin my hair up.
a deathly hallows symbol on the left side of my lower back which can't be seen unless I wear a swim suit or pull up my shirt.
and i have a trail of stars from my lower tummy to my upper back.

I love tattoos, but I like them hidden from people unless I WANT them to see when it's appropriate. I mean, I'm sure you're probably not going to want a lower bback tattoo lmao or even something on your neck if you have short hair, but as long as the smilkey face is small enough I think it wold be perfect on your wrist. [:

[mephiston_2k]

Not sure mate, I've never really been a fan of tattoo's and piercings myself. Some tattoos look good but most just look plain tacky especially when it comes to girls these days. No idea why they love these crappy looking tattoos which mean nowt and barely look like art.

For placement though I'd have said have it up on the very top of your arm where it starts to become the shoulder where the muscle is. You could have it relatively large then and it would stand out more when on show yet hidden easily for day to day and at work.