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I've decided that I'm going to get my first tattoo on Monday. It's going to be of a pair of Corydoras duplicareus on the right side of my lower back. I've heard that's one of the least painful spots, is this true?

I have a very high pain tolerance, and I'm fine with getting piercings and shots, but for some reason I'm really nervous about the tattoo. Any ideas for how to deal with this? I'm certain I want the tattoo, and I'm not getting it "just because", but I worry that I'm going to chicken out at the last moment (how embarrassing that would be)...

The tat is going to be about 2"x2" in size, and the artist said it would take about one to one and a half hours, and cost about $130. I've seen pictures of other fish he's done, and I really like them.

So like I said, I'm going this Monday (day after tomorrow), though I've been designing the tattoo for about two weeks now). And I'm pretty nervous. Does anyone have any advice or experiences that would be helpful to someone getting their first? Thanks for any help.

EDIT: And I hope it isn't too bad, because I already have my second tattoo all planned out as well...

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Tough it out

I've only had one, but that's not because it was a bad experience or anything. I just don't know what I'd get another tat of. It really doesn't hurt all that bad. I'm bony too, it all depends on how you handle pain.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Yeah the artist said I'd "be fine" since I have a pretty high pain tolerance. A lot of things I've read say it only hurts about the same as a bee sting or a bad sunburn, which isn't too bad (and that after a while, it goes numb anyway)...

I don't even think I'm nervous about the pain; I think I'm just nervous in general for no reason. Damn...

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

it only hurts if there's a lot of intricate shading in the drawing. plus be prepared that it will bleed for at least a week, but i'm sure DRO will be around to help you with all kinds of advice pretty soon

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

"it only hurts if there's a lot of intricate shading in the drawing."

Huh... I've heard from a lot of people that what hurts the most is when they first start and they're doing the outline. I guess I'll find out when I get it done though... The cory species I picked has large black areas, so there's going to be a lot of shading stuff in.

Here's what I'm getting:


The corys are going to be like the ones in the first one (where I photoshopped out the background). I put the other pictures there for the artist to reference to, because the photo of the ones I'm getting is really crappy (blurry, too many shadows, etc).

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Best tatoo ever.

I know. That's why I'm getting it.

I did a sketch of what I'd like it sort of look like. I'm not a very good artist, so bear with me.



Basically the only difference is that I got rid of a lot of the shadows and added better barbels to the fish (the ones in the photo didn't have good barbels). Hopefully the artist can make it more realistic.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Do you really want the mouth of the second corydora (the one in the back) protracted like that? Although true to nature, it looks somewhat awkward.

Let me know how it goes; I have actually been looking around the area for a decent artist that can pull off a gligar tatoo with some efficacy. So far, none (in Berkeley, no less--go figure).

What looks awkward about it? That's what they do when they swim.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

The ditended jawline looks too long.

The what jawline? How would you have it?

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Raise the nose end of the thing up a bit...

Like this...

Attached Image:

Something like this. The auxillary barbels turned out pretty bad, but that's paint for you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v398/Kleevage/cory-1.jpg

Sort of like this?

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Actually, now that I compare the two, I think I just messed it up even more...

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Another try...

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Second one. Definitely.

I think you should omit or make larger(move the "other fish" to the right a bit) the "tail of the other fish" it's just confusing to look at. It's the same size and shape of the fins on the fish in the front. IMO of course. I think it's a very nice drawing/soon to be tattoo otherwise.

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Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Congrats Natalie, make sure you eat before you go. Sometimes you can get dizzy during the session and having something on your stomach helps. Ask your artist about lotion for afterwards. I used lubriderm. Just follow the instructions for aftercare and you will be fine. My last tattoo took 7 hours (3 sessions). Take a friend for support.

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If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

I say you should get rid of the background fish's tail. It looks like another anal or pelvic fin on the foreground fish, and it's in the wrong spot. For the tail to end where it does, it would have to be curving upwards a lot and stretching too.

Good idea for a tattoo. You should show us what it looks like when it's done.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."