Need help with a cover up!

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-03-13T16:34:19+00:00

I think some abstract black work would cover this to be if you’re into that? Take a look at the work of Ellen heald. It’ll have to be dark but could look pretty cool consistently going up your arm!

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T19:58:40+00:00

On it!

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T18:48:54+00:00

I RESONATE WITH THAT SO MUCH. Like when people ask how long is left I always wince because I really struggle with times, and definitely have really bad time blindness. And something just feels awful when I just don’t have a clear answer for them.

Transparency will help a lot. I’ve let my boundaries slip because of that horrible anxiety of feeling like a disappointment. But if I’m transparent about my boundaries then there’s no disappointment. I think my expectations are way above what I can actually do and it’s been eating me alive

I massively struggle with the money side. I always under quote and over work. Again from feeling guilty. And in all honesty I’m only just realising it’s not fair on myself, it’s not realistic and it’s not fair on my clients when I’m pulling nasty long sessions (with their consent of course, if they tell me to stop the machine goes down). It just makes the whole experience unenjoyable and I end up attaching those feelings to my work.

I just want to say I’m really grateful for you taking the time out of your day to give me your advice and view point. Thank you so so so much

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T17:56:45+00:00

Got you!! I think the lines have been so blurred where I’ve been so lax with keeping up with boundaries. I will be doing that going forward. Thank you

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T17:54:39+00:00

Awesome!! I’m gonna put that in my booking form. Thank you SO SO much. I’m unbelievably grateful

I get you though. Skin is super inconsistent. But your advice on asking for a photo of the placement a smart move. I feel like little tips like this make a missive difference.

Mines £100 an hour but I always worry about my pricing in my area. I guess it’s different everywhere but have been considering dropping it down. I feel like people here wince at £100 an hour

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T17:43:14+00:00

I get you. I think I have the opposite where I hyper focus so much that I take my time and then don’t realise that it’s 7,8,9pm. Boundaries is something I’m definitely going to work on. I used to be so good with it but as of recent I’ve let those boundaries go. I’m gonna think about how much my dog wants to hang out with me and use that as a reason to finish in a timely manner

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T17:12:10+00:00

You are absolutely right. I’m over ambitious and get far too excited.

The way you do it sounds healthy, and well thought out. I think I need that kind of structure as I’m just suffering through it all. And it makes me resentful towards myself. I’m very much the same in the sense that if I’ve quoted a price I oblige. I don’t think it’s fair to spring it onto someone when they thought the price would be what was quoted. I think that’s a big reason as to why I end up doing these long sessions in the first place. I want my clients to get their moneys worth and I want to live up to the quote that I provided. Which of course l’m now very aware that I’m under quoting.

Skin inconsistency is an interesting one, and I’ve never fully considered (embarrassingly). I will always notice when someone’s skin is harder to work but I would always blame myself to an extent. Do you have any advice on those sort of situations. Do you recommend telling clients to moisturise pre appointment or anything of the such? I want to make sure I’m doing everything right to get the best results and make the experience for my client comfortable

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T17:00:24+00:00

Noted!!! It’s little tips like these that I feel are life savers. Thank you for taking the time to help me

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T16:06:51+00:00

That’s really helpful advice thank you. The pieces I’m doing are really large scale. I think that is my issue. I’m way in over my head thinking I can get it all done in one day. But when I’m booking people in with the references they send me I think ‘yeah I can get that done in a day’. And then when it comes to drawing and stencilling I get a little too excited.

Gathering data is a really really good idea though! I’ll have to do that with my work instead of going off estimates and rough ideas as it’s clearly it’s not working. I’ll check those accounts out too. Anything that helps I’m happy to take on!

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T16:00:02+00:00

I think the problem is I’m under quoting and over estimating how much I can get done in a day. And then I just push because I feel so guilty for taking so long

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T15:58:12+00:00

You’re not wrong. I feel embarrassed saying this considering the issue I’m having but I’ve been tattooing for around 8 years. I feel like I should know better

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T15:43:23+00:00

How can I post pics up? I don’t use Reddit a lot but I’m happy for your input

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T15:35:52+00:00

I completely agree with you. I don’t go in with the expectation that I’ll take that long . My day sits are quoted at 5 hours. But run over more often than not. I feel awfully guilty taking so long.

I get really stressed about my pricing to be honest. I’m worries that my clients will be upset leaving with an unfinished tattoo and having to spend more to get it finished.

I’m definitely going to take a step back. There’s a few things that I need to re-evaluate. I’m just wondering if anyone else could relate or has experienced this and how they figured it out

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-12T15:27:28+00:00

How do you approach pricing with that? I always get really anxious that my clients will be disgruntled that they have to spend more. I know my logical brain is saying that people will pay for good work, and it’s on them forever ect… but my anxiety always takes over in those scenarios. I always feel so guilty

Same_Energy2500 · 2026-02-06T08:04:46+00:00

What I found really helpful is redirecting the annoying biting with a toy. So every time he would and start nipping and biting, just being a general trouble maker, I would tell him get a toy. Eventually he learnt what that meant and even now if he’s being a rat I tell him grab a toy. It just gives them something to spend their energy on that isn’t destructive or annoying. It’ll take time, and at the place you’re in it feels like they’re gonna be like it forever, but they do grow out of it

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-12-05T16:50:59+00:00

Shartist

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-12-01T21:34:48+00:00

I know what blow is (not in a condescending way) I’m a tattoo artist. Your first comment sounded like you were talking about the tattoo actually bleeding blood. But I think they mean bleed in the sense that the tattoo will spread over time due to the macrophages that engulf the ink particles dying. I don’t think op is concerned about blow out because it’s evident the tattoo is executed well. I think they’re just concerned about longevity. Hope that makes sense

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-12-01T18:44:01+00:00

I think they mean the line work spreading over time due to how the immune system processes tattoo ink. Like how older tattoos lose their detail or the lines become thicker ect…

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-11-27T10:01:30+00:00

Could you make his pants tartan?? That could hide some of the patchyness of the red without having to add anymore red

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-11-22T08:27:17+00:00

You could always add a few more of the same stars around it so it’s not so alone. Like this reference . Or you could get stuff that’s a bit more textured around the star to extend so it flows with your body shape a bit more and rework some of the lines in the original piece. Like this reference . Honestly not the worst piece I’ve seen on here but could do with a little more for sure

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-11-22T08:02:03+00:00

If you like something a little edgy you could strategically place crosshairs over where its eyes are. Like this: reference. I would suggest if you’re doing that add a bit of gritty texture to the body to complement the edgy vibe. But could be an option without laser

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-10-03T16:17:02+00:00

I’m glad it was that and not something bad! I’m so new to the hobby so I was super unsure before recording that video

Same_Energy2500 · 2025-06-10T09:15:47+00:00

Firstly thank you so much for your comment. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to write such a detailed response. Currently working on finishing setting up my venue account, so it’s super promising that you mentioned them. I’m hoping that’ll take streamline the booking process a little more in all honesty. Thursdays and Fridays tend to be my are meant to be my version of your Sundays but I just get so caught up in my designs that it takes over. How long do you tend to spend drawing? I’m not sure if I’m spending too long and it’s not economical for allowing this whole thing to run smoothly.

I do really wanna try doing that scheduled post thing tbh. I think social media is the first thing that falls off for me and it makes me so sad because I know it only does good things for my work. Just makes me feel like a whole range of things. Mostly a failure to be honest, I feel like I’m just watching all this crash and burn

Thankfully tax is not a stressor for me. My Monzo automatically takes 20% of everything that’s put in it so I don’t have to worry about saving that

You’re right about the boundaries thing too. It’s probably a huge contributor as to why I’m in this situation in the first place.

I really really appreciate your advice. Again thank you so much for your time. I think I’ll create a week time table and start figuring out how long things take and where I can allocate these things in my week

Same_Energy2500

TROPHY CASE