I know Kung Fu

I truly feel like I'm starting to understand some things. As much as I'm able to articulate, I'm beginning to stop myself and realize the nuances of this craft are truly hard to put into words. So I'll do what I can and zoom in on some thoughts, lessons, and revelations:

Lining works when you know it'll work. Well, within reason. What I mean is that once the subtleties and finesse come through occasionally, it can all be harnessed when known it can. The mind works like this.

Just as the mind works; there's also a margin of error to be calculated to make it do so effectively. Often I'll be dead on in my head, but the result is slightly askew. I'm learning how to correct that by finding the mean. For example: I'll feel strong and sure about using my 7 liner. So much so that I foresee the solid line in firm. But upon pulling the line, it'll be slightly weak (visibly not as dense as it should be). Be it skin conditions, machine voltage, or whatever, I quickly adjust and figure out how to compensate. Sometimes it may mean telling myself to pull slower and think meaner. After a few lines, I'll start to understand what I should do and even think differently the entire tattoo... whatever works. It's a relationship really.

Clients have more influence than they think. I may pride myself in manner and courtesy, but if a client comes in concerned or with negative thoughts, the process is definitely effected. I don't like to admit it, but this is an ebb and flow. A lot of what I do is translation. I hear what you're saying and I'm making choices. How much of what I translate do I keep for you to attach yourself to the tattoo? And how much of my understanding to apply to my version of your vision? Or, hell... do I just exert myself and apply more of my vision than usual? All of this is dependent on my reading of you. I should post more about this sometime. It's complicated, but I really enjoy the topic.

Trust coupled with doubt is healthy. I know what I can do. But I don't know why something is the way it is. What I mean is that I've heard certain "absolutes" from artists. And some of them make sense. But why are things that way? Test, test, test. And not just that kind of thing. Question everything. It's great to know where you stand and why you stand there.

On that note, the most obvious breakthroughs I've achieved have been by mistake. One situation led to another which led to trying something different... and suddenly a break through. So looking for it, doesn't seem to work for me. But knowing it's there and being able to recognize it does.

Oh, oh. I can put on a stencil really well now. It'll still take another try or so sometimes, but the quality of each stencil is solid. I love Stencil Stuff. But even without, doing the daily grind has taught me how saturated the skin should be with certain products. I'll smoothly apply and work it to the spot that gives me about five seconds of drying time.

So most of what I consider a change or positive alteration has not happened suddenly. This may seem obvious. But time has slowly drawn me closer to being a craftsman. As much as I've wanted to push what I see into what I tattoo, the ability to have fundamental skills and control what's happening is much more important. Once that's developed, the tools will be in place to do whatever the hell you see fit.