Could use your opinion on my tattoo

[SgtPepperette]

So I remember reading a very popular tattoo thread not long ago so thought I could ask for your opinions.

 

I just finished up a half sleeve tattoo. 10 hours of work! Not the nicest feeling. LOL

 

It is a buddha on top of a lotus flower. The short version of what it means is it represents the journey of life, where Ive been, and the growing Ive done. Well as Ive posted about my dad passed just before my last session. He hates tattoos, and lectured me for a good 1.5 hours before I had my first session of this one. Well when he saw it he fell in love with it. He wanted to go to my last session with me, and bought us matching buddha statues So I had his intials added to the tattoo. This last session was 3 days after his passing and I was out of it. But went with her judgement. Now that I look at it Im thinking how funny the intials just hang out there.

 

I go back next month for a photosession and touch ups if need be. Im thinking of maybe having her add some water or something around the initials. But hope I could get some of your opinions?

 

[Monique]

You could...but it looks fine the way that it is...I'd say either way will work...It looks beautiful!

[ACDCDCAC]

that would look cool, or maybe some clouds, clouds always make me think of peace and heaven.

 

it's beautiful!

[RyanAmanda]

After hearing the story of the initials, I say leave it, it looks gorgeous (but then I'm a sucker for good story's).

 

From a completely unemotional standpoint, I think maybe the reason they look funny is that your tattoo has really good shading with colour and the initials are just plain. Maybe she could do some shading around the initials? Like do more of the turqouise colour inside the banner where the initials are and then add some of the orange (the colour in the budda) around the initials themselves so they 'pop' out more?

[PaulaV]

It's a very nice tattoo, but the initials look too plain to me next to everything else.

 

I would suggest a font with serif, or making it bolder.

Maybe make the black thicker and have the letters outlined in orange to pull in the colour from the top.

[Alyssa]

beautiful piece!! i think the initials have a great placement but look a bit too plain for the rest of the piece. i would do some shadowing, clouds or water or anything else symbolic of you Dad to you. but something to make them flow better with the rest of it.

 

it looks awesome!

 

how are you hanging in?

[Heidi]

WOW - I absolutely LOVE it! I recently got a big OM on my right hip. Was supposed to have a lotus flower around it but I couldn't handle the pain and just got a black OM. But damn, I LOVE THIS! I'm jealous - I wish I could go through it and get exactly what you did! It's fantastic!!!

 

I think it looks good as it is, but I"m sure adding water wouldn't take away from anything - so I say go for it!

[Jenn3878]

Wow awesome piece!! I like it the way it is but thats up to you - if you think it "needs something" than go for it

[jajajaja]

Oh my goodness- it's so pretty but I can only imagine the pain!! My hubby has several tattoos and I remember how painful they looked the day after. My tiny tattoos can't even compare.

 

I agree that the initials just look a little plain compared to how intricate the rest of the tattoo is. I think something a little dressier- font, color, etc. would really be nice. I think clouds or water around would look nice but then that's close to your elbow- OUCH! But if you can hang tough, why not?

 

It is such a lovely way to honor your dad. I'm sure he loves it.

[lambert13]

From a fellow tattoo enthusiast.....

 

I would add a little color to the ribbon with the initials. Maybe some pale green in between the blues. Maybe a hint of color around the outline on one side to add some depth too.

 

It looks awesome though! It reminds me that I have to get cracking on my arm as well.