How to Connect Tattoos to Close Your Arm: 11 Steps

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How to Connect Tattoos to Close Your Arm: 11 Steps
How to Connect Tattoos to Close Your Arm: 11 Steps

Video: How to Connect Tattoos to Close Your Arm: 11 Steps

Video: How to Connect Tattoos to Close Your Arm: 11 Steps
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Are you thinking of getting your first tattoos and already want to close your arm? Do you want to connect those two huge drawings that are on your forearm and create a more cohesive art? In any case, connecting different tattoos requires consistency and balance between the bigger and smaller parts. To start with, choose a single style and think of something between one and three themes. If you already have artwork all over your arm, use textures, colors and other background details to give everything a unique look. Finally, look for a professional tattoo artist with an interesting portfolio - and follow his instructions to the letter!

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Thinking of Ideas to Start Closing Your Arm

Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 1
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 1

Step 1. Choose a consistent style

No matter what you plan to do - several realistic portraits or a few simpler tribal ones - it's important to choose a single, consistent style for closing the arm. Research different options on the internet and take a good look at the portfolio of artists that interest you. Just start planning the next steps of making that decision.

  • There are many popular styles, such as old school (traditional), new school, neo traditional, watercolor, tribal, pointillism and the like.
  • Some styles are more suited to certain compositions than others. For example, portraits don't look so good when done in tribal and watercolor fashion, while abstract or minimalist lines are ideal for this type of drawing.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 2
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 2

Step 2. Don't try to use your small tattoos as focal points

If you get a two-inch minimalist tattoo on the middle of your forearm, it will be buried in the middle of the other arts on your entire arm. So, think of main designs that take up more space on your skin.

  • If you want to connect tattoos you already have, it's probably easier to make smaller designs between larger ones. This is the only chance small arts really come in handy!
  • Ask the tattoo artist if he thinks a particular design is going to get too small (or too big).
  • Portraits, drawings, iconic figures and complex machines are some cool examples for large tattoos.
  • Think: would a person who was 2 or 2.5 m away from you be able to see the tattoo? If not, maybe the idea is too small to take up more significant space in your project as a whole.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 3
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 3

Step 3. Think of one or two themes that will bring the project together

If you already have some nautical tattoos, for example, it's no use making a portrait of your mother. Opt for tattoos that talk to each other, that is, that follow specific and limited themes. That way, it will be easier to connect all the arts in a way that makes sense without creating real chaos.

  • For example, your tattoos will become random and disconnected if you want to pay homage to a family member, reference your favorite television series, indicate where you grew up, and show your love of boats on one arm.
  • Landmarks from your past, loved ones, tribals, insects and movies are some examples of common themes. Any such idea can turn into a real work of art on the arm!
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 4
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 4

Step 4. Consult a tattoo artist before starting to close the arm

After researching well and choosing the tattoo artist and your first tattoo, make an appointment with the professional to get some details right. It will have important tips and guidelines regarding the design (size, color, etc.) and the location of the skin.

Ask to see some sketches before the tattoo artist leaves for the actual copies. That way, he won't waste time creating something that's not his style - and you, in turn, won't be embarrassed about having to discard his work

Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 5
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 5

Step 5. Get all arm tattoos with the same tattoo artist

As each tattoo artist has a different style and creative process, you need to work with the same professional from start to finish to get a really consistent arm. What's more, this makes it easier to add new art little by little, without the need to re-explain your ideas to new people.

  • If possible, do not do sessions longer than two or three hours. Not only will you be in a lot of pain, but you will also have some difficulty understanding where the arts are actually going.
  • Clear all your doubts with the tattoo artist! You have the right to ask him for tips, advice and explanations at any stage of the process.

Method 2 of 2: Connecting Individual Tattoos

Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 6
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 6

Step 1. Use the negative space on your skin as a contrast

If you want to connect the tattoos you already have on your arm (whether they're colored or not), use the empty space of the skin to create a sort of overall texture. In this case, just add simple art, such as flowers, clouds or minimalist shapes, to give the impression that everything is part of the same design. No need to do shading or anything like that.

  • This option is great for anyone who already has several black or shaded tattoos. The contrast between the dark ink and the skin helps to create a strong visual impression.
  • Use the empty space on the skin as a background for a portrait or landscape silhouette. This space helps to accentuate black figures, which creates the illusion that all the arts are connected in the same composition.
  • Ask the tattoo artist what he would do to connect the remaining sections of your skin. He has more experience in the subject, so maybe he can come up with some good ideas.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 7
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 7

Step 2. Extend and complement your tattoos

If you already have some tattoos, but they are separated by negative spaces, a nice tactic is to extend and complement those arts. For example: you can add neck and shoulders to a portrait, stems and leaves to flowers, vertical or horizontal elements to landscapes, geometric lines to minimalist designs… The possibilities are endless.

  • You can also make similar versions of tattoos you already have (unless they represent specific people or elements). For example, if you have a pair of scissors on your forearm, make a pocket knife or sewing needle next to it. This idea gives more consistency to the theme.
  • You can even add the shading of extended drawings. This way, you'll connect separate images without taking the focus off the main elements of each one.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 8
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 8

Step 3. Paint black tattoos to brighten your arm

If you have several tattoos, but they are black (or have another monochrome and dark tone), you can connect the artwork with colored elements. Red and yellow outlines, for example, can come in handy - as well as drops, bubbles and geometric shapes, which fit well on the outside of the main drawings.

  • If you like black tattoos, feel free to close your arm with this monochromatic shade.
  • Remember that color fades over time. That way, your tattoos will "age" at a steady pace if you color them all at once.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 9
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 9

Step 4. Make secondary tattoos lighter than the main ones

Generally speaking, the function of secondary tattoos is not to draw attention, but to accentuate the main ones. Therefore, opt for simpler and less detailed artwork (that is, smaller than the others). Check it out:

  • If you have a lot of black tattoos, do the secondary ones with shades of gray and fine lines.
  • If you have several colors, use more discreet tones in secondary arts.
  • Keep in mind that the main tattoos are the ones that cover larger areas of skin, giving your project more cohesion.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 10
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 10

Step 5. Make simpler lines in the empty areas

Making simple lines and designs is a subtle strategy to fill in the space between tattoos. Parallel lines of varying sizes or dotted textures, for example, can add a nice finishing touch to your neck without taking the focus off the main art.

  • These simple lines and textures combine with stylized and abstract images.
  • You can create lots of cool textures and illusions using simple lines! Geometric and wavy shapes, for example, generate a most interesting effect.
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 11
Connect Tattoos Into a Sleeve Step 11

Step 6. Make some simple images like stars, clouds or flowers

If you want to incorporate more visual elements to your arm, opt for simple compositions that you can modify according to the region of your skin. For example: you can make some different birds or flowers between biceps and triceps; and it's also nice to draw elements like trees, clouds and other items related to flora.

  • This idea is even better for those who have a lot of tattoos in old school, new school and neo traditional styles.
  • Flags and other similar symbols are good options for those who like to tattoo text, but still want to give shape or weight to the closed arm as a whole.

Tips

  • Always follow the tattoo artist's care instructions to the letter. If you don't use the cream (usually bepantol) or scratch the design before the ink sets, for example, the art runs the risk of becoming infected or disfigured.
  • Trust the tattoo artist. He is professional and therefore will have interesting and useful tips for you.
  • Don't forget that tattoos are permanent. Don't do anything on impulse, especially if you're under the influence of alcohol.
  • Look for reputable tattoo parlors before making your decision.
  • Don't try to haggle. The tattoo artist's job is not easy and deserves all the money invested.

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