Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know an artist that said if i took a roll of film of my tegu in different lighting and different angles he could make it look pretty real. Anyone got any pictures of tegu tattoos id like some ideas..
Nick
-----
Sea ya Nick & Slash.......

Don't have a lizard yet, but I do have a tattoo and plan on getting at least two more, and I'm over 50 ('way over 50!) My husband is also tattooed, and I'll give you the same advice we gave our two daughters, both of whom got tattoos as soon as they turned 18.

1. Make sure you get your tattoo where you can keep it covered. First off, tattoo's fade if exposed to sunlight. Also, while tattoos are an 'in thing' right now, that may change. People have lost good jobs because they went to a company picnic in shorts or a swimsuit, and the boss saw their tattoo. Stupid, maybe, but true.

2. Make sure you see a lot of the custom work of whoever is doing the tattoo. Some good artists are lousy tattooists, and some good tattooists are lousy artists. There are some people out there who do photo-representational work that is all but three dimensional, and there are others who only do well with book flash which is sort of like coloring in a coloring book. Not to be sexist, but check out the female tattooists in your area. Some of the best are female. With the detailed patterns on a tegu, you want someone really good. Just remember, the good ones are not cheap.

3. Make sure the tattooist uses new, sterile needles and practices all the medical safeguards. This goes without saying, but you would be surprised how many people have a 'friend' do it and listen when the friend says not to worry. Worry. There are things out there that you can get from dirty tattoo equipment that cannot be cured!!

4. Take your time and wait until you find the right artist and the right design. Many tattooists make half their money covering up stupid 'jail house' designs that people got because they were impatient. I waited over 20 years to find a person who could do the fine line work that my tattoo design (my own design) needed! Talk with the tattooist and you will eventually find someone who 'clicks' with you and seems to understand exactly what you want and who you feel you can trust to bring it to life.

I don't know where you live, but there are tattoo magazines that showcase the work of some of the best photo-representational tattooists in the country. Some of their work is awesome. One of them may live near you! If nothing else, it will give you a feel for what type of style you like.

Any questions that come to mind, email me at druidwood1@yahoo.com.

I'll see if I can maybe find some designs for you.

Leslie

Yeah, I pretty much, for the most part, agree with Leslie, Look around first, most artists have a portfolio of (this is the pic I was given, this is the tattoo of it!!!!!!) The question is, do you want a tattoo, or do ya already have any? Personally, I think even a bad tattoo looks better than plain old skin, but I'm covered!!!!! Safty is the first thing though!!! If ya want more advise on tattoo's, email me, I'd be happy to give ya more advise, but I can't say yes or no get one, that choice is yours!!!!
Dan
mellordies@aol.com

You've received some pretty good advice here. I agree with everything that has been said so far especially the part about placement. I have 4 tattoos, all of them attained after the age of 40. None of them can be seen when I am dressed in work attire which can include sleeveless tops. If this is your first tattoo you must go into the venture knowing that it is permanent. Yes, it is possible to have tattoos removed now but it is an expensive and painful process.
I considered this tattoo for 2 years before I finally had it done. It's my largest piece and it was based on a pen and ink drawing that an acquaintance had done. I asked permission from her to use it as a tattoo design with some minor alterations. I was extremely nervous when I had this done because I didn't want it to come out looking like a cartoon or for people to look at it and comment about what a nice dinosaur it was. LOL I'm pleased with the way it turned out but I'm not sure that it's finished yet.
Also, tattoos can be addictive. Each one that I've gotten was going to be my last! Now I'm considering a matching tattoo of a Rhino iguana. The same artist that drew the Green Iguana has agreed to work on a Rhino image for me. I'd love to have a Tegu piece done, also a Black Roughneck monitor.
Best of luck and if you need any photos, let me know. We have lots!!

are from a Tegu! LOL Glad he missed the artwork!!

Wow! Super work. Are you planning to add color, or just keep it as a sketch? Who did the work? Whoever it is, they're good.
Really nice all the way.

Leslie

I am going to leave it the way it is, maybe just add some more detail. I'm also considering doing a Rhino iguana as a mirror image of this one...connecting them at the bodies.
The artist is a fellow named Brian White who works out of the Electric Chair in Flint, MI. He has done some awesome work for my daughter and her boyfriend. They were featured in Savage magazine with his work a couple of years ago.

Oooh! I like it. Make sure to post pics once it's done. Figures that you wouldn't be near me. My tattooist just left the area, so I'm looking for someone good.

Leslie

Hey Nick. Here is a pic of a Water Monitor tattoo in a "skin-tear" style I had done around 10 years ago. The best advice I could give you would be to make sure you are comfortable with the artist. Be sure to look at lots of actual custom work he/she has done. Good luck!
Billy

>>I know an artist that said if i took a roll of film of my tegu in different lighting and different angles he could make it look pretty real. Anyone got any pictures of tegu tattoos id like some ideas..
>>Nick
>>-----
>>Sea ya Nick & Slash.......

Here's the actual photo I gave him to work from....

>>Hey Nick. Here is a pic of a Water Monitor tattoo in a "skin-tear" style I had done around 10 years ago. The best advice I could give you would be to make sure you are comfortable with the artist. Be sure to look at lots of actual custom work he/she has done. Good luck!
>>Billy
>>
>>>>I know an artist that said if i took a roll of film of my tegu in different lighting and different angles he could make it look pretty real. Anyone got any pictures of tegu tattoos id like some ideas..
>>>>Nick
>>>>-----
>>>>Sea ya Nick & Slash.......
>>

Getting ready to get that tat I told you about a couple months back when you posted the pic of your tat on the photo gallery. Nile monitor. Going to be on my hip and down around my thigh.
-----
JS

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Crazydago,

Oh boy. One huge, huge, huge thing that everyone forgot......... (if you are a first timer)Take it from someone who has quite a lot, I must let you know that tats are ADDICTIVE. And can actually become a fetish rather quickly. LOL Everyone seems to have given you a lot of good info. Getting it somewhere that can be covered is a good suggestion for business reasons. However, I must tell you that I worked for a "high profile professional type" company and the president of the company had to see my tats everytime I got a new one. A lot of people keep an open mind about tats nowadays. Keeping it out of the sun in necessary only until it heals. After that as long as you are not out sunbathing it should be fine. If I am out for an extended periods of time I always put sunscreen (the highest spf you can get)on all of mine. Actually I am pretty anal about that and do it every 45 minutes or so. Definitely shop around for an artist you are comfortable with and like their work. Any good artist can draw your tat to make it look exactly the way you would like it to. I think a Tegu tat is a great idea and all original. I do not know anyone with a tegu tat. Lizards yes, but specifically a tegu, no. Don't forget to post pics of it if you do get it. I know I want to see. Love looking at other peoples' and showing off my own
-----
JS

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

You're sure right there! That should have been part of my list. Getting your first tattoo is great, but after awhile you start to feel that the side of your body the tat is on is 'heavier' than the other, and you know you have to get one on the other side to balance out.LOL The funny thing is how having even one tattoo changes your perspective on art. You start saying things like, "Boy, wouldn't that make a great tattoo?"

Leslie

Read the last paragraph of my post.

I've got 2 tats myself and plenty more on the horizon. Taking your time is key. Patience is a virtue with something that is as permanent as a tattoo. My 2 current tats are a tribal design lizard and a cross. 2 things I know i'll never tire of in my lifetime. You have to be happy with your decision and that decision is forever. The people here who tell you tats are addicting are absolutely right. Good luck with your work and please share the finished piece! Heres a quote for ya since we're on the subject of tats.

"Scars are tattoos with better stories!"