2013-01-02, 09:59 AM
I have a decent-sized full color piece on my lower abdomen, nowhere near as big as what you're looking to get. So I can share my experiences and say they'll be multiplied for you.
Price-wise, your concept is going to be multi-hundreds, maybe close to $1000. I'm really bad with tattoo pricing so I'm just using my experience of...I think I paid around $140 for mine, and your concept is perhaps 6-8 times the size, so that gets the estimation.
Though there are some "limitations" to resolution in the media, good tattoo artists can actually produce impressively detailed works, so make sure the photo you bring them is EXACTLY what you want. I suppose you could bring them something that's, like you said, "a basic concept," but your consultation will be that much longer if you're essentially sketching the whole thing out with them then. They do this because artists create a trace outline of the sketch that they then apply like a temporary tattoo to your body before filling it all in as an actual tattoo. So bear that in mind.
Time-wise, mine took an hour, so yours would take several, and is therefore something you'd probably have to get done in multiple appointments. That's also underscored by the pain factor: I didn't take any breaks in the process, but I was very close several times towards the end, because getting a tattoo feels like they're lasering a sunburn into you. Also bear in mind the placement of your tattoo and the delicacy of the area it's on - one would think a back more sturdy than where I got mine, though when you're covering the whole surface you'll probably run into some sensitive areas.
Also because you're getting it on your back note how recovery will affect you. I'd imagine you wouldn't be fully healed for a while, and it would probably affect your mobility for the first week - not drastically, but something preventing you from really exerting yourself. You'll also need to wash the tattoo with plain, unscented soap three times a day, moisturizing it each time afterwards, so as to keep it from getting infected, and to retain the color in the process.
Last comment: I'd strongly suggest drawing a sketch or printing out even a general idea (like your OP photo) and taping it on your back now. Even if it isn't the exact concept, or even the right size, it's important to actually see the tattoo on your body this way before getting it done because it's the only time you'll see what it will look like at that exact point and placement before making it a permanent addition.
Apologies for the lengthy post, but there's my brain dump of everything I know about tattoos. Good luck and have fun with it!
Price-wise, your concept is going to be multi-hundreds, maybe close to $1000. I'm really bad with tattoo pricing so I'm just using my experience of...I think I paid around $140 for mine, and your concept is perhaps 6-8 times the size, so that gets the estimation.
Though there are some "limitations" to resolution in the media, good tattoo artists can actually produce impressively detailed works, so make sure the photo you bring them is EXACTLY what you want. I suppose you could bring them something that's, like you said, "a basic concept," but your consultation will be that much longer if you're essentially sketching the whole thing out with them then. They do this because artists create a trace outline of the sketch that they then apply like a temporary tattoo to your body before filling it all in as an actual tattoo. So bear that in mind.
Time-wise, mine took an hour, so yours would take several, and is therefore something you'd probably have to get done in multiple appointments. That's also underscored by the pain factor: I didn't take any breaks in the process, but I was very close several times towards the end, because getting a tattoo feels like they're lasering a sunburn into you. Also bear in mind the placement of your tattoo and the delicacy of the area it's on - one would think a back more sturdy than where I got mine, though when you're covering the whole surface you'll probably run into some sensitive areas.
Also because you're getting it on your back note how recovery will affect you. I'd imagine you wouldn't be fully healed for a while, and it would probably affect your mobility for the first week - not drastically, but something preventing you from really exerting yourself. You'll also need to wash the tattoo with plain, unscented soap three times a day, moisturizing it each time afterwards, so as to keep it from getting infected, and to retain the color in the process.
Last comment: I'd strongly suggest drawing a sketch or printing out even a general idea (like your OP photo) and taping it on your back now. Even if it isn't the exact concept, or even the right size, it's important to actually see the tattoo on your body this way before getting it done because it's the only time you'll see what it will look like at that exact point and placement before making it a permanent addition.
Apologies for the lengthy post, but there's my brain dump of everything I know about tattoos. Good luck and have fun with it!