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Script tattoos by Mr. Dreegz

When deciding to get a script tattoo, several factors need to be considered. Script tattoos may seem very simple, but in this blog, we will unveil the details that go into designing a perfect script tattoo. We sat down with Mr. Dreegz, a script specialist, and he went into detail about his process of choosing the right script design from the font to the shading of each letter.

Type of font

Script forearm tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Script forearm tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Depending on the feeling a quote or word has, I decide which specific font can portray that message on appearance alone. For example, "No Fear" - I would mash up the styles and go with a Script for the "No" and something Bold like Old English or something with hard and sharp aesthetics. It will punch out the word "Fear", and if I really want to emphasize the "No" I would switch it up and do "No" in Bold font and "Fear" in the Script.

Typeface

Typeface Definition: A typeface is the overall design of lettering; the design can include variations, such as extra bold, bold, regular, light, italic, condensed, extended, etc.

Typeface decisions are based on the location of the tattoo, what can fit in the area without compromising its look.

An example of Typeface

An example of Typeface

The part of the body may force me to angle words to buy space. By angling words, I start to look at the whole piece like a puzzle or a game of Tetris. After some drafting and manipulation, I decide what treatment I will give the typeface. I may have two words in the same style but shade them differently to make one stand out more than the other. I may have words like "in," "and," etc., appear smaller. These words aren't as important in banners or different designs, so the size difference will convey that. Manipulating all these differences will buy me space for more essential words and allows me to detail them better because they are more prominent. Another deciding factor of the typeface is the word or quote itself. What type of feel or vibe it has and what is the message. Does it suit a classy script? Is it bold and conveying a serious message? What are the client's requests, what do they like? All these things come into play.

How the text will fit

Script chest tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Script chest tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Depending on the word, size, style, and body part, the word may have to be manipulated. For example, on a stomach, an arch (the upper half of a circle) will look great and fit the anatomy. On a collar bone, I would follow the bone and draw the lettering to the arch-like the lower half of a circle. Fit the natural curve. Working with anatomy is going to yield the best aesthetics.

Kerning

Kerning Definition: The spacing between letters or characters in a piece of text.

The kerning will depend on the font. A common client request, for example, is the word "dream". If the client wants a whimsical typeface, I will exaggerate the spacing in a handwritten script style to convey this feeling.

An example of Kerning

An example of Kerning

If they want the word "dream" arched across the stomach, I map out the area, measure the space, divide the shape into smaller blocks to represent each letter. Once this all looks symmetrical, I fill in the blocks with the letters. Once you know the basic rules of typography, there are ways to break them and get away with it. For example, letters arched above a knee may need to be drawn in a way so that all the letters are farther apart. This makes up for the curve of the knee. When the client is standing, the word will look normal, and they won't be able to tell the letters are actually much farther apart than they see. If you were to trace this design of the client and lay it flat, you would be able to see how far they actually are. An area like this almost always requires freehanding to look correct.

Script chest tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Script chest tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Solid shaded or bold

The way a script tattoo is shaded or given gradience will portray a different image of the word. The gradience from solid to skin tone appears airy and light, while the bold is crisp and in your face.

Script forearm tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

Script forearm tattoo by Mr. Dreegz

With words that need to be more prominent in a quote, I apply a heavier shade style or boldness to them. Heavier shade catches the viewer's eye. While designing the tattoo, I'm not looking at a bunch of words. I am approaching it like a story. You need to ask, what is the narrative? How do I want the viewer to feel? I look at the whole quote as an art piece. It needs to keep the viewer's eye moving and reading. It needs to be legible. The negative space (the area around the tattoo) is as imperative to the design as the words are. It will create a balance in the overall design. 

With all these guidelines, there is no right or wrong style when it comes to your tattoo. Kerning is a set rule, but the way you style your script tattoo is about the narrative you want to portray. After all, we are talking about art.

How To Prepare For My New Tattoo

After you schedule your appointment with your tattoo artist, you must now prepare for your new tattoo. Here is a list of what you need to prepare before your new tattoo.

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Scoot Ink, A Photorealistic Tattoo Artist

Scoot is a photorealistic tattoo artist in Toronto, Ontario.

One particular day while working on King St, a call came into the shop requesting Scoot to tattoo privately at a local upscale hotel. Without question Scoot packed up his equipment and made his way over. When he walked into the room he came face to face with Johnny Depp and six of his close friends. This is a moment Scoot will never forget. Without missing a beat, Scoot set up shop and got down to business. It was shortly after this opportunity that the local media began publishing his work.

Find out why Scoot Ink's work is sought out by so many professional athletes, musicians and actors.

Scoot Ink specializes in photorealistic tattoos in Toronto, ON. Find him on pick the ink.com. @scootink
Scoot Ink specializes in photorealistic tattoos in Toronto, ON. Find him on pick the ink.com. @scootink

"One thing I love the most about being a tattoo artist is just meeting new people everyday, hearing different stories, being able to create my own images."

 
 
 

How To Care For My New Tattoo

How to care for my tattoo

Tips to help keep your tattoo clean and fresh.

Tattoos require attention and care after you get them to guarantee that they stay the way they first looked when you first got them. Here are some tips to help keep your tattoo clean and fresh. 

 

IMPORTANT: Listen to your artist because your aftercare will be specific to the tattoo you received. The care your artist recommends is based on different skin, the placement of your tattoo, different styles of tattoos, the lightness of hand, and the bandage your artist uses.

 

Your city may require your artist to have an aftercare pamphlet which the city approved. If you are at a good shop or a professional artist, you should expect to receive something for aftercare.

 

Right after

How to care for my tattoo

The first tips start immediately after receiving the tattoo. The tattoo artist should apply a bandage or plastic wrap over your tattoo. First things first, remove the bandage then wash your hands with lukewarm water and soap then gently wash the tattoo with fragrance-free soap and water.

 

Week-by-week process

IMPORTANT: This process depends on the tattoo and its placement. The scale of time is approximate depending on each case.

 

First Week

Wash your tattoo with clean fingers only. Cloth or towel may irritate the skin and prematurely remove any scabs that may have formed. Scabbing often occurs in the first couple days. The reason is that the ink rises to the surface of your skin, and because of this needs to be washed away. Scabbing is an important process and must not be picked or scratched off. Scabs will often form in the first few days, and ink may still come up through the skin and should be washed away. It is important not to pick the scabs or scratch the skin.

Any redness or mild swelling usually goes away near the end of the first week[s].

 

Second Week

During the second week your tattoo should be flaking, small scabs and bits of dead skin may appear, but these will also clear up as the healing process continues.

 

Third Week

The outer layers of skin should completely heal by the end of week three. The inner layers of skin can take longer to heal but require much less care. The chance of infection is reduced once the outer layers of skin have healed, as there is no open wound for bacteria to infect. Moisturizing regularly in the months following the tattoo will help keep it looking bright and clear.

 
How to care for my tattoo
 

Remember To

  • Wear sun-protective clothing whenever you go outside

  • Call your tattoo artist or doctor if you have any signs of infection or other problems

Do Not

  • Cover your tattoo with sunblock before it is fully healed

  • Scratch or pick at the tattoo

  • Wear tight clothing over the tattoo

  • Recover your tattoo. You can wear loose one sleeves

  • Go swimming or immerse your body in water (showers are fine)

 

Listening to the advice of your tattoo artist will help decrease the chances of skin infections and will help keep your tattoo clean and fresh. Do not rely on online research. Always refer back to your artists if you have any specific questions.

 

Shark, An Asian Style Tattoo Artist

Shark is an asian style tattoo artist in Toronto, Ontario.

Shark, originally a tattoo artist based in Korea, has been tattooing for 17 years now. When he first met his sensei in Korea, Master Sengmoon Kim, he was merely 16 years old. Upon becoming Shark’s teacher, Master Kim took him to a Buddhist temple for 3 years to properly learn how to hand-draw a diversity of Asian style arts. After mastering his sketching and drawing techniques, Shark was invited by his master to start tattooing in his shop as an apprentice. After 3 years in Korea, Master Kim sent Shark to Japan for another 2 years to finish his apprenticeship. As a young and upcoming tattoo artist, Shark then moved to Shanghai for a year in order to learn Chinese style tattoo designs and its history in hoping to improve and establish himself as a more well-rounded Asian style tattoo artist. With prior experiences in Korea, Japan, and Shanghai, Shark was able to claim first place in an underground tattoo convention in Korea called Ink Ban after going back from Shanghai. Since then, he had traveled around the world and worked in multiple cities such as Bari in Italy, New Mexico, and even Los Angeles. Already being a well-established tattoo artist, Shark moved back to Korea to tattoo, where he claimed first place once again at the Ink Ban tattoo convention. He relocated to Toronto, Canada on September 21, 2012, and has been tattooing ever since.

Shark specializes in asian style tattoos in Toronto, ON. Find him on pick the ink.com. @master_shark
Shark specializes in asian style tattoos in Toronto, ON. Find him on pick the ink.com. @master_shark

"I already spent so many bad time because of the tattooing in the Korea but still I love it because
when I do the tattooing I feel I alive."