Yikes...crunch time on my leg (contains pic of naked leg lol!)

[BigonaBianchi]

Ok..so I'm sitting on the fence getting split up the kyber pass on this one...yes or no time...I was all for it when I got back last summer but the idea had lost some of it's appeal as time went by....and just about everybody in my life is telling me I'd be a fool to get it done....but it's not about them...it's my leg, it was my ride and it's my choice...

...I like the design...it's an American bald eagle carrying my bike Shinto...to commemorate my trans American ride. The tattoo artist used an actual photo of my bike taken at the top of hoosier pass (the highest part of the transam) to make up the design.

The eagle will be brown, with a white head and the feathers will be red strips while it's upper wings will be blue with stars on them like on the stars and stripes flag. My bike frame will be british racing green as per the actual frame, and the panniers will be orange as per the ones I had with me.

This is my first ever tattoo and as a rule I am anti tattoos. But this one has me intrigued as it meant a lot to me to do that ride, and it's something I know I will always be proud of.
So it's not like Im just picking out a rose or a flower or a snake or something from a catalogue...this one I earn't I feel.

So Im just interested in comments from people with tattoos about the design really...is it ok...what about color fading, is it too complex, stuff like that...

Obviously I have had a detailed chat about it with the tattoo artist who is extremely professional and understanding of my pontificating and dilly dallying...but I just want to be 100% certain..

It's a bit bigger than I thought, but I am told any smaller will mean less definition in the design .

Theres no rush Ihave the rest of my life to decide...but since I had this transfer put on this morning it's got me thinking...ya or nay.

 

[fossala]

Yay!

 

[Soltydog]

Colour fading shouldnt be an issue on your leg, unless you never wear long trousers
I only have 1 tattoo, on my calf, its over 20 years old now & if there is any fading its only slight.
make sure you post a pic of the finished article

 

[fossala]

Colour fading shouldnt be an issue on your leg, unless you never wear long trousers
I only have 1 tattoo, on my calf, its over 20 years old now & if there is any fading its only slight.
make sure you post a pic of the finished article

From what I here (next door neighbour is a tattooist). Inks have got better over the last 10 years or so. They are a lot more vibrant and keep their color well.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Yes she did talk to me about keeping it out of the sun to avoid fading. She said that the new inks are way better and keeping their color and not spreading...but I should always apply sun screen if out in the sun.....and yes I am on eof those guys who lives in lycra shorts 24/7....I only own one pair of long trousers...jeans and they get out once a month lol!

 

[MisterStan]

I like it!

 

[Paul99]

Do it! If this was just a run of the mill tattoo then I would advise you to steer well clear, but this has meaning for you and the design is great. I'm not a big fan of wording on tattoos but if you are happy with it......do it, do it, do it....

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Im just wondering if the text at the bottom shouldn't be set out differently, not all in one line...more like this

Trans America​

2012​

 

[tadpole]

Yes but with out the words or numbers,

 

[ColinJ]

I'm not into tattoos at all so I would say no, but that isn't what you are asking!

I agree about dropping the text. In fact, I think it all looks a bit overcomplicated. I would definitely want to see what it looked like coloured in, before committing to it.

 

[Cyclist33]

It looks ridiculous but it is only a draft, as it were, and if you are determined to go through with it I would agree with Colin, it's far too fussy and would look much better if eagle were cleaner with fewer lines (though might look better when completed I sense) and the bike were stylised more rather than trying to look like your actual bike.

Stu

 

[hopless500]

Im just wondering if the text at the bottom shouldn't be set out differently, not all in one line...more like this

Trans America​

2012​

2 lines would definitely look better. The whole thing will look completely different once it's been coloured in!

 

[ColinJ]

I mean ... you have gone to all those efforts to get nice sculpted leg muscles, and then you plan to cover them up!

 

[thom]

I would say no - you did what you did and the memories are your trophy.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

ok...one dumbass question I forgot to ask her....

the hair on my legs will grow back....erm...what then...keep shaving the tattoo ?? wont that fade it?? ....blimy....the joys of middle age