Tattoo me up!

Although tattooing is all the rage, it’s important to have certain information in hand before you visit the tattooist. How do you discern which tattoo design, colour and size will be right for you?

Arun Alva the owner of Al’s Tattoo and Body Piercing Studio says “When a  person is about to get a tattoo sketched on their body, we sit with the client and listen to them about what kind of tattoo design they want.  We also advise them on what designs will look best on them and why.”

Alva adds that butterfly designs tend to suit girls terrifically due to their  diverse colours that signify freedom and peace. For guys dragon or tribal tattoos work best since dragons characterise good luck, power and courage while a tribal tattoo symbolises peace and community.

Well known tattoo artist Sameer Patange, owner of the  Kraayonz Tattoo Studio agrees saying, “Choosing a design is about sharing ideas between the client and tattooist till a point is reached where both are mutually satisfied.” Sometimes in the flush of youth clients demand involved designs but they tend to outgrow them at a later stage, he feels. “When one chooses to get a tattoo as marker of a particular event or significant stage in one’s life, that  tattoo will always be there as a reminder of that event,” says Sameer.

Sameer sometimes suggests a particular size in which a particular design will look best based on the area where the tattoo is placed.

“As far as sizing is concerned  clients may want a particular design in a smaller size but certain designs look best when done in a larger size and this is conveyed to the client before we start to work on it.” This is especially done to ensure the key elements of the design are brought out and that the tattoo continues to look good over a sustained period of time.

Vikas Malani who owns tattoo workshop Body Canvas says “Since a tattoo is forever, one has to be careful while selecting a design.

Preferably a design should relate to the personality of the person getting the tattoo in some way. A tiger represents strength and power, a dolphin represents freedom, fun and wisdom and a dragon is for luck and aggression. A lot of people come with their own concepts, something that has sentimental value for them, and we help them structure and customize their design.” Choosing a particular tattoo colour substantially depends on one’s skin colour adds Vikas.  “Light skinned people should usually go for coloured tattoos as they appear bright. Coloured tattoos should be avoided on dark skinned people as they can’t be seen easily.”

Apart from that, the texture of skin is a vital element during the sketching of tattoos and is always taken into consideration. Vikas says that he usually  enquires about any history of skin-related or any other health concerns on the client’s part.

The proprietor of Sans Tattoo & Body Piercing Studio, Sunil Pai says that whilst earlier tattoos were looked down upon in India, nowadays everybody  wants to flaunt them. “It’s not so much a matter of physique or skin colour but wanting to exhibit the tattoo,” he says. With so much advice from tattoo experts it is not too difficult to make your mark.

TAKE YOUR PICK
Angels  and fairies (for women)
Floral (for women)
Skull and bones (for men)
Oriental imagery (unisex)