It can be a jungle working out who should tattoo you, when you have never been tattooed before and are completely new to it. I remember clearly how it was for me.
Find out which tattoo style appeals to you most
First and foremost, it is worth saying that this process absolutely does not have to be rushed – quite the opposite.
I spent two years researching at home before I got my first tattoo. For me it was important to choose the right style and the right artist for that particular style. It felt like a jungle at first, and I did not know much about any of it, but those two years of active research online helped me work out what appealed to me most.
I mainly used Google, Pinterest and Instagram to look at different styles. I had an idea that I wanted something Japanese-inspired, but I did not limit myself to that. I looked at practically every style – black and grey realism, traditional old school, bio-organic, colour realism – and only after going through it all could I conclude that Japanese was in fact the right one for me.
Everyone goes through the same process, and everyone ends up somewhere different when it comes to style. The most important thing is to listen to your own gut and not worry about what other people think. After all, it is your body, and it will be there for the rest of your life.
The best tattoo artists are rarely just around the corner
Once you have worked out which style you like, it is a matter of finding an artist who is good at that particular style. Here I cannot stress enough how important it is to be willing to spend a little time travelling to get the best possible result.
I personally spent an hour and a half each way on public transport to get to Copenhagen and be tattooed by my first artist, and I made that trip more than 40 times before I eventually moved closer. It is rare to find the right artist right on your doorstep – unless you live in Copenhagen or another big city.
So compromising on quality because you cannot quite face an hour of travelling is rarely worth it. After all, it has to look good for the rest of your life.
Find an artist with high professional integrity
I was lucky that someone from my sixth form had a really beautiful Japanese sleeve. He recommended three tattoo artists to me: Ron Koupal (who had done his sleeve), Judd Ripley and, last but not least, Henning Jørgensen.
After studying the three of them closely, I found that Judd’s style appealed to me most. I ended up booking a consultation with him. I had printed out some reference images to illustrate what I wanted done. I showed them to him, and his first comment on one of the pictures was: “If you want that kind of rubbish done, it will not be by me.”
At the time I remember it gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach, and I thought: “Hang on, I had been so thorough with my research.” But I clearly did not know as much as I thought, as I quickly realised.
Luckily I had other pictures with me that lined up better with what he considered a sound tattoo, and it ended up becoming my first tattoo – my entire left arm. He later went on to tattoo my whole upper body as well.
Listen to your tattoo artist
So what is the point of that little story, you might be wondering?
Choose a skilled tattoo artist with strong professional integrity, and respect that they know best when it comes to the technical side.
I could just as easily have walked into someone who simply did what I asked for, and then I would have ended up with a terrible tattoo that I would definitely regret today. However good you think your idea for a tattoo is, it is important to listen to the professional. It is in their interest too that you get the best possible tattoo.
To this day I am indescribably glad that I ended up with a professionally skilled artist, and not with someone who just wanted to make money and get me out of the door as quickly as possible.
I am happy to help you find your next tattoo artist
You are always welcome to contact me on Instagram for a referral to a skilled tattoo artist. I know the field well, since I work with tattoos every day and have had my whole body tattooed myself.
So I would be more than happy to help you find your next tattoo artist – whether you want a small fine line tattoo like the ones I do, or something completely different. I want everyone to get the best possible tattoo, whether it is from me or from someone else.
Read more about what a fineline tattoo is
Read more about what makes a good tattoo