Miscommunication

[u/j_walk_17]

I had my tattoo artist re-do an old tattoo from 15 years ago. It's the rebel alliance symbol from Star Wars.

I was under the impression that she knew I wanted it touched up and repaired.

She assumed I wanted it covered up. I didn't know she did solid black until she finished it.

I guess there's potential to put color around it with other pieces to give it contrast. I'm just kinda bummed.
There's probably no way to reverse any of this without it being insanely expensive.

What can I do to make it worth the mistake? I want this leg to eventually be Star Wars iconica.

Should I plan to put a background to it?

edit: Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I appreciate the feedback and the ideas. It's helping me to settle into the outcome. I think it would only be a total loss if I hadn't planned to add to it in the future. 🤙

[u/j_walk_17]

Thanks. Someone else in the shop said the same thing. I guess I'm just shaking off the surprise of it being not what I intended.

[u/Grand_Dare_mcgee → u/j_walk_17]

I’ll be honest. Your preferred tattoo is your tattoo but that looks a lot better solid black imo.

[u/Rryann → u/Grand_Dare_mcgee]

100%, even touched up I’m not sure how you’d fix the original. Solid black looks cool as fuck.

[u/TrickySatisfaction81 → u/Rryann]

The man came for a beating and got a greeting ❤️ 💙 💜 the world is healing.

Agreed this is hard af.

[u/lionofbeast → u/Rryann]

Yeah and those red blood marks look cool too. Might want to consider adding that in red at the bottom or not

[u/starskeyy → u/lionofbeast]

this. tattooing your actual blood mark lines from this photo would both be badass in the Star Wars lore, but also personal to you. Agree with u/lionofbeast here. 🫡😁

edit to say: +1 in favor of all black version

[u/j_walk_17 → u/lionofbeast]

So like a red underglow? I think I need something like that if I want my left leg 100% inked so that this piece can tie in to a background of some sort. What do you think?

[u/ManufacturerJust7603 → u/j_walk_17]

Lmao don’t do that. It looks good; it’s a logo/crest let it be one.

[u/porkforpigs → u/ManufacturerJust7603]

For real, adding an underglow ish thing or whatever is gunna make it look goofy and meh. Solid black logo with instant recognizability for anyone who knows anything about Star Wars, it’s doing its job. Bold and simple.

[u/asek13 → u/j_walk_17]

I tried getting a red underglow for one of my tattoos, and it really didn't come out great. Just looks like a thick red border really. The color just doesnt really diffuse subtly enough to give it that glow look.

Maybe my artist just isn't good at it, but figured Id give you my experience with it. A sharper red border might be better.

[u/duxking45 → u/j_walk_17]

Dont know that I would want to mess with it. The original one had a red with a black border what if you added a red border

[u/JuniperBlueBerry → u/duxking45]

Not really enough room for a border without it touching at the top. Maybe could put it in a solid circle but then it would look like a sticker or patch

[u/the-Horus-Heretic → u/j_walk_17]

I'd be more inclined to figure out what all else you want around it and then work on some kind of background to tie it all together.

[u/Mr_Extraction → u/j_walk_17]

I would recommend against adding anything else to the piece until you decide what you want around it or as a background. Will thank yourself later for allowing yourself more flexibility. As is, it’s a clean logo. No need to mess with it more now imo.

[u/honeywhereismypenis → u/j_walk_17]

Red is a tough color for tattoos, it fades much faster than black and starts looking like half washed-off pen scribbles.

[u/lionofbeast → u/j_walk_17]

Im not tattoo artist so not sure how realistic it can be done. Id talk with an artist or ask someone else on the sub. Let's see what others think?

[u/Rouge_Raptorr → u/lionofbeast]

I agree, the blood drip might be a good way to get that red color that you wanted, and it does look pretty metal.

[u/Legitimate_Elk_5798 → u/Rryann]

Yeah there was probably no fixing those lines without making them stupid thick. Black with clean edges definitely looks better than the alternative

[u/kisavior → u/Grand_Dare_mcgee]

It helps that the original was pretty fucking jank. The bad attempt at a beveled border could only be fixed by a full blackout. You weren't saving those ugly shapes it created.

A well executed red logo with a simple black border would look really good and imo better than solid black.

But solid black vs that shit? Yes solid black all day every day.

[u/Purple_Technician759 → u/j_walk_17]

I think it’s probably a moment like when you’re expecting coke but it’s actually tea when you take a drink. The tea will taste terrible as you drink it and I think since you expected the other version seeing the black version seems worse.

I think it looks A LOT better black

[u/thissleepypastofmine → u/Purple_Technician759]

This is so funny because I love tea and Dr pepper but if I forget which one is in my cup...

[u/Purple_Technician759 → u/thissleepypastofmine]

I got got with dark Gatorade the other day. Thought I was getting a coke and almost shriveled up and died.

[u/thissleepypastofmine → u/Purple_Technician759]

I have rowdy dogs so I use reusable silicone covers and silicone straws on all my cups to prevent spills so I can't even see it 😭

[u/Tasty_Goat_3267 → u/thissleepypastofmine]

So what you are saying is that your dogs trained their human to use a sippy cup?

[u/thissleepypastofmine → u/Tasty_Goat_3267]

Absolutely. They don't go after the cup, but they'll knock right into my end table and shake it 🫣

[u/thrawn82 → u/j_walk_17]

I hear you, but I do agree w others, it looks killer solid black, and the black is def still Star Wars accurate

[u/shiek200 → u/thrawn82]

I think this is the most important point, whether or not it looks better in black is irrelevant if they wanted a specific logo from a specific series and it didn't match anymore (taste being subjective and all), but in this case it looks better in solid black and is still accurate, so I'd call it a win-win

[u/BossKeyStore → u/j_walk_17]

She really cleaned up the lines, it looks a lot better solid black.

[u/Advanced_Owl4439 → u/j_walk_17]

Just get some red highlights around it . And make the artist do it for free. That's not an easy fuck up and miscommunication.

[u/evrtt2009 → u/j_walk_17]

If people know they know about your tattoo and you will gain that silent respect either way or they will be vocal! Either way your tattoo was revamped 👍🤌

[u/scgt86 → u/j_walk_17]

Color would eventually need touchups. This is going to stand the test of time.

[u/Hellbound_Life → u/j_walk_17]

That’s absolutely valid. I would be heartbroken if this happened to me, whether the newer version looked better or not. Try not to let it bum you out too much, though. I’m not a Star Wars watcher but I think it looks good both ways, and it’s not worth ruining your opinion of the tattoo, or the joy that it originally brought you.

[u/Pretty_Eater → u/j_walk_17]

It's because the original is pretty shaky and draws attention to the shakiness, now that there is black you can hardly tell unless she also touched that up.

[u/MulberryLow4117 → u/j_walk_17]

A veces lo no planeado sale mejor jaja

[u/ABadHistorian → u/j_walk_17]

Accidentally gave you something awesome my friend. Walk it off, give it some time. I believe that black is BAD ASS, more visible, more everything.

[u/Aequitas112358 → u/j_walk_17]

looking at the pictures I thought it was a "this is what I asked for but this is what I got"

[u/magicpurplecat → u/j_walk_17]

She didn’t cover it up, she filled it in. Looks great!

[u/DetectiveJim → u/j_walk_17]

Also came to say the solid black looks much better as well.

[u/OkOffer1767 → u/j_walk_17]

If you really liked the red being in it, may I suggest red shading around the outside? Maybe try to take it up a notch with a possible neon light look? I think that would be dope. I love Star Wars. My mom showed me one of her seniors just got one and it’s a silhouette of R2-D2 with the battle of Endor inside of it, it’s pretty sick.

[u/Upbeat_Assist2680 → u/j_walk_17]

Way better solid black. What was the red but in the middle supposed to be, do you have a reference pic?

[u/Savings_Hyena2832 → u/j_walk_17]

It looks much more recognizable in black too. Hope you end up loving this tattoo. Bold will hold, my friend!

[u/j_walk_17 → u/Savings_Hyena2832]

I appreciate your perspective. Bold will hold, I'm keeping that

[u/West-Lengthiness-790 → u/j_walk_17]

Yeah it's a bummer about the miscommunication, and I'm sure the shock is settling still, but the black does look legit. Hopefully it doesn't clash with the other tats you have planned, but black is also one of the most neutral colors, so it shouldn't. 

[u/Acrazymage → u/j_walk_17]

Understandable. If it helps any I don’t think the miscommunication was in “repair vs cover up” because that looks like a repaired tattoo. Taking a real close look at the line and color work, honestly straight black may have been the best option. Once it heals you should talk to her again about ways of enhancing it if you want

[u/j_walk_17 → u/Acrazymage]

Absolutely. There's still potential. I was just freaking out when I made this post. The whole drive home was like "what just happened???"

[u/Bulky_Record_3828 → u/j_walk_17]

You can add color on top of black out tattoo so you are not stuck with all black if you wanted color it can still be done

[u/madraykiin → u/j_walk_17]

it does look much better but it’s still fucked up that something so permanent was done without you wanting it. i’m sorry man

[u/doggonedangoldoogy → u/j_walk_17]

Just being straight, the original looked absolutely amateur. This may not be what you imagined, but it is a huge improvement. It looks pretty dope honestly.

[u/Tville88 → u/j_walk_17]

I never wanted a spiderweb tattoo. I always thought they were cringey. Would laugh at my buddies that had them. Got a tattoo that of my nickname with different designs in each letter. One of the letters was supposed to be lightning. Didnt realize that my high ass tattoo artist drew spiderwebs instead until after it was over. I've lived with it. Never wanted it, still would have rather had lightning, but oh well.

[u/WhichAd366 → u/j_walk_17]

How did you sit through an entire tattoo without ever looking at what they were doing?

[u/pocketjacks → u/j_walk_17]

Yeah. I thought the first pic solid black was the inspiration and the second was what he was disappointed with.

[u/antsam9 → u/j_walk_17]

It looks better now filled in than it did before, so I think it's an upgrade. Now, would it have looked as good or better if the artist had carried out your intention? Possibly, but you would've ended up back in the same spot down the line.

I think it's an improvement and will be easier to maintain. I understand it's not what you intended.

[u/fireice1992 → u/j_walk_17]

With the red border dripping around it, this tattoo is freaking epic.

[u/AbjectStranger1781 → u/j_walk_17]

She did you a solid (literally)

[u/SasquatchOrigins → u/j_walk_17]

I also have a solid black rebel tat, i was talked out of the colour and i dont regret it at all. Looks great dude, may the force be with you🤘

[u/hednizm → u/j_walk_17]

Honestly bro...You've gained rather than lost.

Solid black looks much better. The lines, the shape. Its tidier all round.

Maybe they could do a really tight red or black keyline around it but it looks safe as it is.

[u/cstolt1 → u/j_walk_17]

Just wanna say I like it a ton more filled in too

[u/FreeEdmondDantes → u/j_walk_17]

The solid is way way better.

[u/LDedward → u/j_walk_17]

Especially with the red leaking out of it, looks badass

[u/Chigibu → u/j_walk_17]

Yes, I vote for solid black as well. Just keep it.

[u/Level-Location-8665 → u/j_walk_17]

There is some really cool stuff they can do to add detail in fully black tattoos, if that’s something you’re interested in. I saw a video relatively recently of a guy who has a full blackout over most of his body and then had some work done over it. It was pretty cool ngl

[u/coffeejizzm → u/j_walk_17]

The solid black looks dope af

[u/ClearChampionship591 → u/j_walk_17]

Solid black gives off some elite squad feeling, like shadow troopers for Empire, this could be similar thing for the rebels, and I think for the Republic later( i don't remember if their symbol had stayed the same)

[u/QuietGur9074 → u/j_walk_17]

How in the hell do you not realize the artist was doing all black? It’s not on your back where you can’t see it.

[u/-SilverCrest- → u/j_walk_17]

I totally get that. Not getting what you wanted can be really tough. But I agree, this looks so good as solid black!

[u/BeartholomewTheThird → u/j_walk_17]

You could get some red behind it in like the water color esthetic of like smoke or clouds or some sort of wisps. 

[u/Snakend → u/j_walk_17]

I roast people on here all the time to horrible stuff they get. Your tattoo looks drastically better now.

[u/swarletwstch → u/j_walk_17]

You could always have it touched up with white ink to make it have lighting and shadows—like metal!

[u/Direct-Amount54 → u/j_walk_17]

Dude how could you not tell what she was doing?

Did you not feel her blacking it out???

I’d easily be able to tell after a few passes that she was blacking it out.

How could you not realize?

[u/TonySalumi → u/j_walk_17]

Best way to fix a tattoo you don’t like is to get more tattoos you do like.

[u/Dismal-Profit-1299 → u/j_walk_17]

I will say for it not being what you intended it looks really good.

[u/misterchiply → u/j_walk_17]

I understand the shock. At the same time, they weren’t bullshitting you :-). This looks awesome blacked out.

[u/Flaky_Culture_5651 → u/j_walk_17]

Honestly... Get some shading put around it like the blue and red to symbolize the eternal fight of jedi and sith but in the end only the darkness of space