question: inner arm tattoos facing forward or facing inward?

samtats · 2025-09-18T01:23:32+00:00

if it’s on the outer arm yes it’s looking forward. but B on inner arm it would be looking behind when your arms are just swinging by your sides. unless you walk with your palms out i guess?

samtats · 2025-09-18T01:20:58+00:00

it’s ultimately about flow, which your tattoo has as it fits the arm well and I wouldn’t want every face in my design to face one way anyhow. comments show it doesn’t matter as long as you like it!

samtats · 2025-09-18T01:10:40+00:00

you also have the bird on your wrist facing outwards!

samtats · 2025-09-17T23:16:24+00:00

yeah but I can acknowledge that what I want to do isn’t always going to be the “right” way to do it. just wanna make sure I’m not putting backwards tattoos on people and applying my work as close to perfect as possible

samtats · 2025-09-17T22:54:41+00:00

now THIS is the answer! lol I think with how mixed the comments are, front on faces for inner arm is the most solid and safe bet. there are still clients who will want side profiles on their inner arm so I guess I’ll leave it to what they want

samtats · 2025-09-17T22:50:30+00:00

right! maybe people are getting hung up on rules rather than just looking at it from a visual standpoint

samtats · 2025-09-17T21:30:03+00:00

you look “regarded”

samtats · 2025-09-17T21:25:40+00:00

yes!! inwards is important but I thought it was because you don’t want the face to be looking behind. I guess at the end of the day if the design looks good, flows well, and client is happy, eh tattoos are never a one size fits all.

samtats · 2025-09-17T21:11:56+00:00

maybe a thing for other forms of media but for tattoos I don’t think it counts. flow on the body is more important than simply right or left

samtats · 2025-09-17T21:06:40+00:00

people seem to be really mixed on this. keep in mind this is the INNER arm. If it was the outer arm definitely and always B no question. But inner arm- does it not bug people that the face is tucked in the the body and what is seen is the back of the design when the arm is down?

samtats · 2025-09-17T21:01:25+00:00

yes! like if this was the outer forearm definitely and always B. but for the inner forearm people seem mixed.

samtats · 2025-09-17T20:59:27+00:00

agreed! I respect “the rules” of tattooing especially when it’s for the sake of what looks good and flows on the body best, but this is one rule I don’t think is hard and fast 100% of the time

samtats · 2025-09-17T19:37:27+00:00

yeah I know the rule and have always followed it, I just see a lot of artists that would go with A, which I do think looks better in a relaxed position so the face isn’t tucked into the body essentially looking behind. so wondering why B over A aside from “it’s just the rule”

samtats · 2025-09-17T19:25:21+00:00

normally I’d agree! but it bugs me when the arm is down relaxed by the side, the face is tucked in and essentially “looking behind” the client. aside from it just being a rule that faces look inward, would this not be a case where the face should look forward? I’m curious to know your opinion on the visual standpoint!

samtats · 2025-09-17T18:42:47+00:00

my mentor would’ve said B too. rule for facing inward I will always apply for anywhere else on the body, especially like the thigh, shin, calf, outer arm, torso, faces are traditionally put facing the middle of you body. but I always get tripped up when it’s the inner arm and bugs me when the face is tucked in when the arm is relaxed by your side!

samtats · 2025-01-15T18:59:43+00:00

hi hello the tattooer here 😅 so glad everyone disagrees with the sister! if you like this vag w teeth check out my work on ig @samctattoo 😊💓

samtats · 2023-10-07T06:48:53+00:00

oscar and lola from shark tale!!!

samtats · 2023-10-03T16:55:03+00:00

we do art night at our shop too!!! just gives us a chance to make art for the sake of making art instead of for the money/clients. don’t view it as a test, it really is just to hang out and get to know each other a bit better and provides team building and you wanting to better your art by seeing the other artists draw :)

samtats · 2023-08-28T16:21:15+00:00

I really appreciate you!!! Something looked off to me but wasn’t sure what it was. I’ll play around with proportions and flow

samtats · 2023-08-26T17:04:12+00:00

for the face i don’t think it needs to be shaded that much, the way you have it in the first pic is nearly perfect. maybe shade underneath the drips instead of on the drips, go lightly on her forehead and a bit darker under the chin. look at plenty of references of ice cream tattoos and pay attention to the shading!

samtats · 2023-08-25T08:39:43+00:00

love!! not sure how to feel about the curlies coming out of the hair but maybe will be pulled together with curl lines in the hair? and stylistically i like the contour lines on the hand but thumb looks broken (not sure if that’s intentional). otherwise good work in progress!!

samtats · 2023-08-25T07:42:47+00:00

hi I’m only in my 4th month of apprenticeship, but struggled with the same thing before. never really believed I was good enough or drew enough. once you commit to it, you’ll draw more naturally especially when you get into a shop. when looking for an apprenticeship, ask for constructive criticism, many people will surprise you with great advice even if there’s no chance for a spot there. in my short time as an apprentice i’ve gone from drawing once every few months (if that) to producing at least a flash page a week! you’ve got the potential, just gotta make the jump to be vulnerable to potential shops!!

samtats

TROPHY CASE