March 2008 Archives

Lately, if I have a few minutes at home—instead of the shop—I've been using Photoshop to zoom in and outline with my Wacom tablet. It's incredibly precise. So much so that I get frustrated.

But a quick zoom on, say, an eye lets me capture the exact shape in no time. There's nothing wrong with a light box or some tracing paper. But neither let me get this precise.

Here's a quick and small example. A client came in and want her specific rubber duck tattooed on her. So I took some photos and picked the angle I liked best.

I opened it up Photoshop and adjusted the levels for higher contrast. Then, with the new levels set, I brought in the extra elements she wanted: a sailor hat and dog tags.

After I had the piece ready, it was just a matter of tracing the outline. So I created a new layer and started drawing on it with the Brush tool at 6 pixels wide and 90% hardness.

Here's a close-up of what's going on. I have a system of lining, cross-hatching, and dotting areas based on comparing levels of light and dark.

This process took me about 45 minutes. To be honest, I could have drawn and traced the duck on a light box in 15 minutes. But because I had a bit of extra time and I wanted to add my touch to this rubber duck, it was worth the extra half an hour.

No matter the outline, there's always the freedom to do whatever you want. Once I have the basics in the skin, it's then my call to strengthen highlights or darken shadows based on what contrast I want for that tattoo. And here's the final result...

I'm starting to get inundated with email from different sources lately. To keep afloat, I'm now using david@allentattoo.com for all tattoo related email. Well, that and any news on acquire gold fillings from the dead.... um, respectfully.

Using UVMapper, I've put together a flat, color-separated version of a body. This is the UV coordinates for a basic body map. It's a 2D map of a 3D body. Usually used to add texture to 3D models, I use it to show a default shape on paper. I blow it up, put it on a light box, and sketch out larger tattoo designs within the shape.

One page is the upper body, the other is lower.
Both print at US legal size, 8.5" x 14".

Download it in the new Reference section.

I got sick of having to search for references every time I need something. So I setup a new section. On the left is whatever it is I'm piecing together. On the right is a review area. With so much great material being put out, I'm making a point to pour over the good stuff. Whatever I get my hands on, I'll throw up in that area.

I've had daily appointments for the past five weeks. It's both wonderful and overwhelming. There's always something else to draw and I feel as though I'll never catch up.

But I'm realizing that if I continue to build a clientèle, it'll always be this way. So I have to redefine "catching up" for myself. Not having every drawing done isn't being behind. Rather, not having a drawing done on time... that's being behind. That would require catching up.

So I now have a queue. I work on drawings in order of appointment. I know that makes obvious sense, but I found it easy to sketch out the projects I was excited about. And it was difficult to even start on whatever I found not as interesting.

Also, I've realized that taking quality notes is about the best thing I can do to prepare myself. Along with names and contact information, I've been writing down the content with style adjectives, size indicators, location details and skin tones if needed. It always helps to have a small list when it's time to sit down and begin.

My wife, Ashlee, and my little boy, Xavier are visiting family in Phoenix. It's lonely around here! So I've been working on the upcoming "Reference" section for Allen Tattoo. It'll be a one stop shop for both me and whoever wants it. I'll be re-posting stuff like the Arm Template and I'm also coming up with new ideas that have helped.

On a side note, I'm noticing that the site looks weird on some computers. All of the letters are bold for some reason. It's strange and I'm having trouble figuring it out. I'll get it though...

After my post about joint pain, I've received numerous e-mails about the Neuma Tattoo Machine. I've even been told my style of tattooing will fit with the Neuma. I've certainly looked into it before but have balked at the price of a good air compressor. Now, I have no problem spending a large amount of money on a quality product! That's easy to do. But coming up with the money to spend is a different story.

At the end of 2007, I emailed Carson about trying one out. I couldn't find anybody near me, so he offered a test run at Off the Map Tattoo. I have yet to fly out there... but I'm visiting Hell City this year, so maybe I'll run into somebody there.

I will say that it's coming, eventually. I'm going to figure it into my budget somehow and save up. When I get my hands on some Neuma machines and a quality compressor, I'll dedicate a load of posts to reviewing the machine and process.

Related links:

Keith over at Kustom Kulture, has some wonderful Neuma videos on his blog. Here's the blog and here's a great video showing his setup.

Marisa, over at Needled, has mentioned she'll be doing a quality post about Neuma. I look forward to it.

"Tattooing like Papa" on the potty.