‘What I Asked For Vs. What I Got’, Tattoo Edition: 40 Times Tattoo Artists Outdid Themselves

It's not everyday you see such beautifully executed tattoos. Some of these might even provoke some jealousy if you feel you own tattoos are not up to par. Recently, even Miley Cyrus admitted having tattoo regret. 80% of the tattoos currently on her body are a "mistake", she said.

None of the tattoos on this list would probably qualify. Still, one the most common reasons for tattoo regrets is having them done out of impulsivity. I myself have come across some silly goose tattoos that I thought of getting, especially after scrolling through these adorable frog tattoos and these cool dinosaurs.

But even if you've had an idea for a tattoo brewing in your mind for a long time, how do you tell an artist exactly what you want? This is a problem that plagues many first-time tattoo owners. As evident from this list, talented artists can make even the goofiest draft sketches work, but what are the ways to best convey your vision to the artist?

You can think of a tattoo shop as a hair salon in this regard: bring references. Experts at Tattoo Do recommend emailing, DMing, or bringing physical copies of examples, ideas, or exact elements you'd like to be included in your tattoo. Be careful of artist ethics, though: don't expect your tattoo artist to rip off other artists. So, tattoos by other professionals should only be a reference point to explain the style or aesthetic you want.

This might sound silly, but it's important to be assertive and tell your artist exactly what you want. Remember that song by The Smiths? "Shyness is nice, and shyness can stop you / From doing all the things in life that you'd like to." If you don't speak up when your artists misinterprets your exact idea or don't like their vision, you'll only have yourself to blame later. It's okay to say "No" respectfully.

However, don't micromanage too much. "Changing sizes a million times, moving the stencil ¼" several times around your body, freaking out about insignificant details just to stall or make sure, just one more time, that it'll be perfect... all of this can be so stressful for your artist," the artists at Tattoo Do say.

It's important to remember that a tattoo artist (at least one with a good reputation) is a professional. So, trust their words when they say that something in your vision won't work. "They're not trying to rain on your parade if they tell you a certain tattoo won't work in a certain place," the experts at Mystic Owl Tattoo say. "They want to give you the design you envision while ensuring it will look great for years to come."

How do you find an artist that's reliable and professional? Licensed freelance artist Kevin 'Jack' Allaire has some tips. He encourages people to differentiate between 'tracers' and 'artists'. "If you look through a portfolio and see a lot of the same simple, small pieces you would find on the wall, the person is most likely a tracer and not an artist," he claims. "Variety and difficulty of the pieces in the portfolio truly speaks for itself."

The best ways to find a true artist are:

1. Look through their portfolio;
2. Check the reviews. A tattoo is a permanent piece of art on someone's body, people don't lie about that kind of stuff.
3. Price equals quality. An average tattoo might cost $72 or $100, but better artists cost two or three times that, according to Allaire.
4. Look at the artist's work closely: the lines, the skin after tattooing, the detailing in the tattoos.