Something for the weekend 15

This week has really had me thinking about how I share my work on the internet and how others treat the images.
You will all be aware that I use instagram and facebook amongst others as sharing platforms. Over the last few months all free to use services have slowly changed their terms of use. Whilst I'm ok with them using an image for advertising I'm not so happy with them selling an image to a third party. As it turns out this was the result of a badly written paragraph in the tos, but it could happen so I'm future proofing somewhat.

After considering my position on how best to move forward I've decided to mark my images.
Watermarking photos is something I've avoided, because I prefer the honour system of life, and except that although some people will rip you off, most are genuine and can be trusted.
I find myself adding them in an attempt to protect my work from misuse by individuals re-posting the work without any credit to myself, which I'd say is at least as bad (if not worse) as the free sites changing the terms so they can sell an image to a third party.
I hope that this wont detract too much from the enjoyment of looking at my artwork, but I'm getting really fed up with seeing my images on different sites without getting any credit for the hours of effort I put into my tattoos, drawings etc.

Whilst thinking about all the discussion/hype around the issue on instagram's new terms of service it dawned on me that I and others have become lazy and far too relient on free services for promoting our work. I suspect alongside the ease of use the allure of hits, likes and positive comments help fuel the ego and the whole thing becomes slightly addictive.
Although it's a pleasurable experience I've found that updating several social networks eats into my time and the subsequent follow up further adds to the time 'needed'. All this means less focus on projects that could be done quicker, or having actual free time for sitting around thinking or writing for this blog.

In the short term I'm going to carry on posting on Instagram, Facebook etc. However over time I would love this blog/website to be the only source for my images online. Weather that will become the case largely depends on feedback from customers and how the other sites intend on using the images I post on their services.

On to the last seven days work. Only a couple are watermarked this time and I'd be interested in hearing any feedback about the watermarks.

Cheers and Happy Christmas to those of you that celebrate it.

Something for the weekend 13

So Christmas looms ever nearer and I'm reminded how quickly this year has flown by!! At least I've achieved some of the things I set out to do and failed at others (generally less important goals) you win some and lose some I guess?

This week has seen me finish two tattoos, do more an a backpiece, start a new cover up and the left arm on the Fudo body suit. On top of trying to organise myself in some way to prepare for the onslaught of next years projects :) The beginning of the year promises to be a hectic one on both a work and personal front.

Hopefully this coming week my online store will be going live and I can make some progress on the Fudo print. I'm also waiting for better light so I can get good photos of the skateboard.

Here is the weeks work, hope you enjoy it and thanks for looking.

The carp below was completed over two session and was a total of between 7.5/8 hours work.

This snake was 100% freehand adding to the half sleeve (also freehand and a snake design) again it was over two session and of a similar time to the carp above.

Something for the weekend 12

Well that week went by super fast!!

The past seven days have seen the usual drawing and tattooing (images below). I have however been thinking about travel and how it broadens not only our 'world view' but how in my case it's reinvigorated my love of craft and art in general.
Working in Brighton is great, however for myself I don't really have other people around me that shares my passion for Japanese artwork and in particular Irezumi. Whilst planning out my work travels for next year it struck me how much I'm looking forward to spending time with people on the same 'path' as me. I'm really keen to learn a few tricks and discover new references to broaden my horizons.
With that in mind I'm trying out some new techniques on the Fudo Myo image. The final picture will be monochrome with gold details. I'm making prints which will be limited, signed, numbered and come with a certificate (stop any bloody unofficial copies surfacing)
The original will be up for sale at the Brighton Tattoo Convention (if it's still available) alongside other prints and original artwork.

If anyone is coming to the convention please stop by and say hello, it often looks like I'm busy but I'm always happy to have a quick chat and can be easily bribed with junk food :D

This is something a little different for me and it was lots of fun to do.

This sleeve is fully healed and we will be doing the other arm next year :)

Got a good session on this, should be close to finished on the next one.

Something for the weekend 7

First of this week, I am going to share my schedule for the first half of next year:

Milano Tattoo Convention
8, 9, 10 of February

Brighton Tattoo Convention
16, 17 of February

In the second half of June I will be guesting at a shop in Germany (details will come nearer the time)

I of course will be in the shop working hard and continuing to work on new projects.
This week has seen me progress with the skateboard and start a new sleeve of Shishi.

I'm also trying to do quick drawings before tattooing most are around the 10/15 minute mark. They are an excellent way to sharpen my mind before I begin work and they give me the chance to try ideas without any pressure. The paper is approximately 8cm square (the snakes are wider) and I use a good old Biro, no pencil underneath just straight in with pen.

Something for the weekend 4

This week is a proper look at the aceo/atc project that I'm working on. My wife introduced me to the idea, they seemed like the perfect way of finishing colour illustrations without the need for much space and most importantly time.

The cards themselves are pre-cut to these dimensions 63x88mm or 2.5x3.5".  For those that are interested, I'm using Copic markers, Staedtler Triplus fineliner pens for colours. With Uni pin fine line pens for black, sizes 0.1, 0.2.

The plan with the aceo's is to put them up for sale in the near future and eventually, when I have enough images, to collate them in a book of some sort.

I will also be sorting through some of my original drawings/sketch's, watercolours etc and putting them up for sale. I've decided it's high time they went to good homes rather than sitting in draws or folios. So keep an eye out for more information.

Finally this preparatory drawing of Fudo is for a Giclee print that will be sold at the Brighton Convention. I'm not sure how many I will have done, but I want to do a high quality edition, I think the size and the detail I intend to do on the piece deserve the extra time and money. Again more info when I have it.

Fudo leg sleeve finished

Finished this today, Fudo is one of my all time favourite Japanese images and I really enjoyed tattooing this :)
For those that are interested Fudo Myo is a 'good guy' follow this link for more information:
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/fudo.html