Can’t get the hang of lining real skin

[Nathana94]

Hey everyone!

I’m really struggling getting consistent lines so I’m hoping someone here may be able to help. I did a skull on myself with a 5rl and that came out good! I did a script piece with a 1003rl - and the 3rl lines just wouldn’t go in consistently for me, I feel like I’m going too deep and getting fat lines, or too shallow and barely a scratch

hoping someone may be able to help me out here! I’ve tried to add photos but like the ageing man I am, am not able to figure out how!

 

[Nathana94]

Images should be here! ignore the rose that was done by another “apprentice” years ago

https://imgur.com/a/O4mHdm2

 

[whippet]

FIRST: Up the size of your liners, with 3s and 5s you’re making your life harder than it needs to be. Go 7 minimum, but I’d say 9s for most things (or bigger). The smaller the needle the more it shows every wobble or other imperfection.

note: Using #10s is making this even worse, go to #12s. The smaller your gauge the more chance you have of slicing and/or scarring if you start making multiple passes. I’ve never quite understood why people line with #10s, unless they’re trying to get close to a single needle line but want the security of 3 needle (using a #10 3rl). If finer lines is the desired outcome just reduce your #12 RL size. #12s will put in a completely saturated line with reduced risk of slicing at small sizes.

SECOND: And perhaps more importantly, focus 100% on your stretch, as this is the cause of most poor quality lining. I can’t stress this enough. Stretch in the direction the line is moving, not across the line. Keep it firm and learn how to adjust stretch direction as your line turns.

Also … ‘aeroplane’ in and out, and if you’re line pull is going off, STOP…aeroplane out and start again, slightly back from where you left the skin, so that the two line segments overlap.

Get your machine running at between 105-120 cycles per second and match your hand speed based on the skin vibration, which is when you feel the needles ‘biting’ the skin.

Use a finger tip at the side of your tube to set and maintain your depth. I use my middle finger (‘the bird’ finger) hooked under the back of my tube/grip and I use to this to maintain contact with the skin at all times.

Avoid relying on needle depth to vary the width of your line. For example, you can achieve a line that looks like a 9rl with a 5rl, just push it in a bit deeper. It’ll probably look fine on the day BUT when it heels the whole line will blow and and just look blurry from end to end. Why it;s important (especially when learning) to make a point of seeing your healed work and then evaluating it honestly…working out the things you need to work on.

Get the body part in the flattest position posible to tattoo. For example, for that back of the biceps tattoo I would have the client lying face down, their arm held back and hooked over my arm rest so their upper arm is parallel to the ground, and their lower arm hangs down at a right angle to the floor. This will give me a flat surface to tattoo AND the arm bend will help with my stretch. (Looks like you might have done this from that picture)

The other thing, more difficult to overcome, is confidence. I used to be so nervous and overthinking lining and made things worse, but now I just ‘enter the skin and go’ and there is a fluidity to all my linework. Sure I still hit problems from time to time, often the stretch is not quite as it should, but with confidence you just re-line bang on top of the first one.

 

[Nathana94]

FIRST: Up the size of your liners, with 3s and 5s you’re making your life harder than it needs to be. Go 7 minimum, but I’d say 9s for most things (or bigger). The smaller the needle the more it shows every wobble or other imperfection.

note: Using #10s is making this even worse, go to #12s. The smaller your gauge the more chance you have of slicing and/or scarring if you start making multiple passes. I’ve never quite understood why people line with #10s, unless they’re trying to get close to a single needle line but want the security of 3 needle (using a #10 3rl). If finer lines is the desired outcome just reduce your #12 RL size. #12s will put in a completely saturated line with reduced risk of slicing at small sizes.

SECOND: And perhaps more importantly, focus 100% on your stretch, as this is the cause of most poor quality lining. I can’t stress this enough. Stretch in the direction the line is moving, not across the line. Keep it firm and learn how to adjust stretch direction as your line turns.

Also … ‘aeroplane’ in and out, and if you’re line pull is going off, STOP…aeroplane out and start again, slightly back from where you left the skin, so that the two line segments overlap.

Get your machine running at between 105-120 cycles per second and match your hand speed based on the skin vibration, which is when you feel the needles ‘biting’ the skin.

Use a finger tip at the side of your tube to set and maintain your depth. I use my middle finger (‘the bird’ finger) hooked under the back of my tube/grip and I use to this to maintain contact with the skin at all times.

Avoid relying on needle depth to vary the width of your line. For example, you can achieve a line that looks like a 9rl with a 5rl, just push it in a bit deeper. It’ll probably look fine on the day BUT when it heels the whole line will blow and and just look blurry from end to end. Why it;s important (especially when learning) to make a point of seeing your healed work and then evaluating it honestly…working out the things you need to work on.

Get the body part in the flattest position posible to tattoo. For example, for that back of the biceps tattoo I would have the client lying face down, their arm held back and hooked over my arm rest so their upper arm is parallel to the ground, and their lower arm hangs down at a right angle to the floor. This will give me a flat surface to tattoo AND the arm bend will help with my stretch. (Looks like you might have done this from that picture)

The other thing, more difficult to overcome, is confidence. I used to be so nervous and overthinking lining and made things worse, but now I just ‘enter the skin and go’ and there is a fluidity to all my linework. Sure I still hit problems from time to time, often the stretch is not quite as it should, but with confidence you just re-line bang on top of the first one.

Thanks so much for your reply! The single needle look was what I was aiming for the script - looking at the line weight would you say the lines look too deep for a #10 03?

my confidence is definitely an issue. I don’t have too much stress tattooing myself, but when it comes to my (insanely supportive and encouraging) partner letting me tattoo her, my immediate thought is “don’t leave something sh*t”

I’ll definitely look to start with 7s instead moving forward until I get my head around it more! Thank you again!

 

[whippet]

Thanks so much for your reply! The single needle look was what I was aiming for the script - looking at the line weight would you say the lines look too deep for a #10 03?

my confidence is definitely an issue. I don’t have too much stress tattooing myself, but when it comes to my (insanely supportive and encouraging) partner letting me tattoo her, my immediate thought is “don’t leave something sh*t”

I’ll definitely look to start with 7s instead moving forward until I get my head around it more! Thank you again!

It does look heavy for a 3rl…keep an eye on it healing but i suspect it will spread to some degree. And don’t worry, we all go through this stage, and most of us still learning too…

 

[MirandM]

I agree with whippet, you shouldn't go thinner with your needles when you start. It takes practice to get a steady depth control.
I have 801RL, about the thinnest of bug pins you can find, single needle, but I do PMT and these are great for doing the finer lines of eyebrows, but they are like acupuncture needles, one slip of movement and they slice into the skin like butter. I do prefer 1003RL and 1201RL, but that's just me.

Mind control is very important when doing a tattoo on another person. You really need to put your mind into "blank" mode, as if your doing the work on your own skin. Only use the needles and machines you have experience with, don't go "experimenting".

 

[DKJ]

Thanks so much for your reply! The single needle look was what I was aiming for the script - looking at the line weight would you say the lines look too deep for a #10 03?

my confidence is definitely an issue. I don’t have too much stress tattooing myself, but when it comes to my (insanely supportive and encouraging) partner letting me tattoo her, my immediate thought is “don’t leave something sh*t”

I’ll definitely look to start with 7s instead moving forward until I get my head around it more! Thank you again!

All points by Whippet are great advice.

About confidence, i personnaly try to tattoo only great design, because even if you suck it will remain a great design, it helps!

Also, don't worry about what people say and just do it. You're not willing to do shit, so why would you?

Preparing yourself is very good for your nerves.
If you already know you'll have difficult parts and areas, that you may lose your stencil quick, then you won't face it during the session. Watch carefully your design before you start, redraw it, imagine where you'll start it and end it.

When you're into it, don't talk, take your time, start a line only when you feel your body's position is good for your hand motion.
If you feel agitated, take a break or jump on another area to regain confidence.
If your lines aren't going in, ask yourself what you're doing, if it's the right way, what other options you have, what you may forget to do... Do that because if you don't you're gonna go crazy thinking "it's not working not working not working not working..."
And not reward will come off it.

This is my last tattoo, i'm happy with the clean lines, but it seems i totally blowout-ed it... 2 weeks old and she had a big blue mark (bruise ? Dunno the word in english).
So as you can see, the parameters are many, so get as much as you can to be good, tattoo after tattoo.



Peace,

DKJ

 

[DKJ]

Also, about self confidence, my wife gave me a good tip: 'Shut up and don't show your feelings!'

Meaning that if things go wrong, keep it to yourself, because at that moment you're the only one who knows. No need to make it public.

Just a whispered "f*ck" can destabilize your client, your confidence, your work.
It's a poison, when you're telling you and your client that things are turning bad. Don't open that door!

Ok, it's going wrong but it's not ALL wrong, is it?
Time to reflect, gather your thoughts and change the situation.
You can adjust, you can hide your error, you can distract the eye from it, you can leave it if it's minor, you can come back at it later.
Now to the next line...

Any line is a new start, not a new challenge nor the same problematic sh8tfugwaddamgonnadoboutit, but a new chance to do something even better, to check you're following good practices.

We all do mistakes, errors, have difficulties, i mean we're trying, right ? So let's try to keep those problems over a single line, other lines are another whole story, that we'll see next.

Peace,

DKJ

 

[Nathana94]

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice my apologies for not coming back sooner I’ve had some lifestyle change ups lately!
I think there’s some more fake skin time needed for me with these smaller liners. Larger groupings I feel fine with but you’re all definitely right - one line at a time and don’t stress myself out too much. I’ve a little space on my leg saved for some script so once I’ve got some more hours in we go again!

this is by far the hardest thing I’ve tried to learn but so glad there are communities like this that aren’t full of gatekeepers! I’ll 100% be looking at the premium membership I think!

 

[whippet]

Just keep in mind that script is pretty unforgiving…all the errors show up. For starter tattoos aim for more organic shapes, where little wobbles or imperfections look deliberate or blend in. One of the easiest first tattoos (IMO) is a rose or other floral piece, a few small flowers together gives you a lot of hiding places until your confidence and competence levels are where they need to be.

 

[DKJ]

Just keep in mind that script is pretty unforgiving…all the errors show up. For starter tattoos aim for more organic shapes, where little wobbles or imperfections look deliberate or blend in. One of the easiest first tattoos (IMO) is a rose or other floral piece, a few small flowers together gives you a lot of hiding places until your confidence and competence levels are where they need to be.

The best design for a start is your 3 years old nephew drawing

Peace,

DKJ