Tattoo Union

January 30, 2011

Process: Phoenix.

Started off drawing some parts and REAL rough shapes.

I was using 19th century Hokusai paintings for inspiration.

Then when I had a layout I liked,

I enlarged it and made some rough stencils.

I drew everything else on with a pen.

January 29, 2011

January 2011 In Progress.

On the way...2 sets of designs for late spring...
12 sheets total.

January 18, 2011

January 16, 2011

January 15, 2011

second sheet for the barber shop. watercolor, she don't play.

January 12, 2011

one of two paintings done for the Belmont barbershop on Main street. 11" by 14"

January 11, 2011

Process: Coleman Painting

Thought I post how I do one of those tribute sheets.

I start with penciling out the outlines on a light table. I used to just use tracing paper and flip it over and then trace out the same drawing. Leaving a graphite residue, or transfer on the paper.
Only problem is I had a tendency to press too hard.

Same reason I don't use too hard a pencil, because it leaves grooves, and you know what happens when you change your mind in the inking part? You get grooves where you want your fades.
Looks bad. You end up just blacking out the grooves. From what I've found there is a lot of black in these paintings, but it's very important where it is.

Then I get my lining on. Start by dropping all pens. No sharpie in my humble opinion.

I find Speedball to be a very good product for lining.

(Feel free to send me some free bottles anytime)

I learned to use a nib that doesn't waver too much.
Pointy tips = Calligraphy. I want the lines to be even.

I screwed up when I erased it and got a smudge. I'll see if I can fix it with shading.

Use good brushes. It's a lot harder to paint with crappy brushes.
I use the Windsor & Newton Series 7.

So sometimes I do the black first, and other times I do it last.

Here I will do it first to show the process.

Sometimes at the end I go clean up the lines due to thick colors covering over,

but I usuallly leave them.

Now if I repeat every week, in ten years my stuff might be alright.

January 10, 2011

Maurice Richard

Maurice Richard, originally uploaded by Tattoo Union Vancouver.

Mes Glorieux.

January 08, 2011

More paintings from 2010

These are originally designed by other people, but I painted these versions.

There were very little changes, usually just layout, or changing the flags.

All done with various watercolor types on paper, and outlined with a dip pen and India Ink.

Roughly 11 X 14.

Best of 2010 Sketchbook

This a few of the drawings from my last sketchbook.

December 30, 2010

Got to hand it to you.

I don't do hands too much anymore. It's not that people aren't asking, it's just I'm having a hard time justifying people with no, or very little tattoos getting very visible ones. I'm not here to judge if people are ready for that, I can only warn them or straight refuse. That's all I can do. I know society is changing, it's just a big decision. Think about it.

That has nothing to do with this tattoo. Just a mini-rant.

This person was finishing a solid sleeve. That makes sense. He's also a Tattoo Artist.
In a few days we are going to add more blue to the right.

Average Tuesday.

Here's what this Tuesday looked like here at Tattoo Union.

Cohen outlined an arm all day.

You can see more of his work on his website: cohenfloch.com

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And this is the piece I was working on. (2nd session)

Just another average Tuesday.

December 24, 2010

More photos from The Goods Artshow.

The show is up until January 15th, so you might as well go and check it out in person! We all worked hard on the art, there are prints still available for some, and there is plenty of original art as well. After Christmas, if you find yourself with extra money from Santa, go get something that lasts longer than a hangover. Here's a couple of closer shots.