A client came into the tattoo shop today and requested I come up with some ideas to fill up his religious sleeve. He already has an angel, heavens gates and Jesus. So I decided to add the virgin Mary, I knew right away I wanted to go with a Michel-Angelo sculpture, they just look more classier on the skin rather than a cartoon looking virgin Marry, it doesn't express the right attitude across the theme.
I look for several images until I find one that i'm satisfied with, that has good contrast to work off.
I print out several sizes till I find one suitable to fit the clients arm, If i'm incorporating background into the tattoo I like to draw it on the design first to see if it flows then stencil it up.
The design is then drawn over, on top of carbon paper to leave a print on the blank side of the paper, which I then cut out.
After the design has been stencilled and cut out, I use a gel that transfers the stencil onto skin, after its left to dry for a minute or so, we can get to work and tattoo without worry of my guidelines disappearing.
