Phil's Synaptic Misfires

New tattoo: Electric Dragonland

I was able to get out this past Friday and finally get my tattoo done on my right shoulder (9 kanji, traditional style, all verified).  As I've been telling friends, "It's my name in Japanese, so the authorities can identify the body."  It hurt as usual, but I was able to tolerate it fine.  It's only my second set, but I was also able to set up a consult for the Big One with the owner of the place, Shahn.  That one will span my upper back, and my consult is in early October.  (My two current tattoos were done by Thad, and done extremely well.)

If you're in Minnesota and interested in tattoos, run -- don't walk -- to Electric Dragonland.  By far, the nicest group of guys, and fun.  They've won something like a zillion awards and been featured a number of times in professional magazines.  It's clean and safe, and very professional.  Don't let the grunge/biker/etc motif fool you -- cool people, cool place.  The talent is amazing.

Right now, it hurts like a bruised, sunburned part of my body, so no touch-y.  As I type, my sleeve is rolled up to take the brushing of the cloth off, but it'll be fine in a couple days, I'm sure.  I'm just not used to this stuff, but I will be soon!

My First "Public" Portrait

So here is my first drawing of a person: my friend's wife and newborn baby.  I took some liberties with the clothing (the shirt originally worn was not interesting for reproduction in a drawing), but that's about it.  I've coated it with fixative and will be framing it for their family, if they wanna keep it.  All in all, this drawing took me about 30 hours, probably mostly because I'm a n00b.  (Ignore the lighting of the picture: this is a picture of a piece of paper, not a scan)

This is the culmination of only three weeks or so of practice.  My skill at the onset was pretty lame, so even if you think this drawing blows, I dig it -- it just took freakin' forEVER.  I'm working on another one, hopefully it will be much faster.

EDIT: You know what was one of the hardest parts?  Making the baby NOT look like a Mogwai.  Not cuz the baby's ugly, just the shading made her look like something straight out of Area 51 for a while.

 

Oh, and I'd rather eat roofing material than draw hair and fabric.