How should I choose an artist?

Look for healed examples, ask for references, and assess style fit; beware red flags like inconsistent lines or only fresh photos.

Is cultural research important for symbols from other cultures?

Yes. Research origin and practices, distinguish open vs closed traditions, consult cultural organizations, and consider alternatives from your own heritage; for detailed frameworks see cultural-research.md.

What should I bring to the tattoo session?

Hydration, water, snacks, comfortable clothing, entertainment, and a clear understanding of deposit and aftercare expectations.

Tattoo

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@ivangdavila

npx machina-cli add skill @ivangdavila/tattoo --openclaw

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SKILL.md

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Before Any Tattoo Decision

Clarify intent — First tattoo anxiety? Meaningful piece? Adding to collection? Approach differs drastically
Research the symbol — Check cultural origins, closed vs. open practices, regional variations
Find healed work — Fresh photos lie. Always ask artists for healed examples (6+ months)

Artist Discovery

Red flags to check:

Inconsistent line weights across portfolio
Only fresh photos, no healed work
"Yes" artists who agree to everything (best artists push back)
No clear style specialty (does everything = masters nothing)

Vetting questions:

"Can I see healed examples of [style I want]?"
"What would you change about my reference?"
"Do touch-ups cost extra?"

Design & Placement

Aging considerations:

High-fade areas: inner bicep, ribs, feet, hands, fingers
Fine lines blur faster than bold traditional
Small details disappear — minimum size depends on complexity

Placement decisions:

First tattoo: start less visible (upper arm, thigh) unless certain
Consider movement/muscle — design may distort
Check how it looks from YOUR angle vs. others' view

Cultural Sensitivity

Before using symbols from other cultures:

Research origin — sacred? earned? decorative?
Distinguish closed (requires lineage/initiation) vs. open practices
When uncertain, consult cultural organizations, not just Google
Find alternatives from your own heritage with similar aesthetics

For detailed cultural research frameworks, see cultural-research.md.

Preparation Checklist

24-48h before:

Hydrate well (improves skin quality)
No alcohol (thins blood)
Good sleep (pain tolerance drops when tired)
Eat a proper meal before session

Bring to appointment:

Snacks (glucose for longer sessions)
Water
Comfortable clothing (access to area + warmth)
Entertainment (headphones, downloaded content)

Aftercare Essentials

Days 1-3: Keep wrapped per artist instructions, wash gently, thin moisturizer Days 4-14: Peeling is normal — DO NOT SCRATCH. Keep moisturized. Weeks 2-4: No swimming, no direct sun, no gym (sweat irritates) After healing: Sunscreen forever on tattooed skin

For session-by-session healing timeline, see aftercare.md.

Price Expectations

Factors: artist experience, style complexity, size, location (city), shop overhead

Rough ranges (US/EU cities):

Small simple: €80-200
Medium detailed: €200-500
Large/complex: €500-2000+
Full sleeve: €2000-8000+ (multiple sessions)

Always clarify: deposit policy, touch-up inclusion, hourly vs. flat rate

Source

git clone https://clawhub.ai/ivangdavila/tattooView on GitHub

Overview

Plan, research, and prepare for tattoos with a structured approach. It emphasizes finding vetted artists, exploring design and placement, honoring cultural contexts, and following an aftercare routine.

How This Skill Works

Begin with clarifying intent and researching symbols. Then vet artists by requesting healed examples and asking design refinements. Finally, plan design, placement, and aging considerations, followed by a prep checklist before the session and an aftercare plan after.

When to Use It

When deciding on your first tattoo and clarifying your intent.
When researching symbols, origins, and cultural context.
When vetting artists and requesting healed photos and style alignment.
When planning design, placement, and how aging or movement affects appearance.
When budgeting, preparing, and following aftercare guidance and deposits/touch-ups.

Quick Start

Step 1: Clarify intent and research symbol origins.
Step 2: Vet artists, request healed work, and discuss references.
Step 3: Prepare for the session with hydration, sleep, and aftercare plan.

Best Practices

Clarify your intent before choosing a piece.
Research symbol origins and cultural context before committing.
Ask for healed examples and push back on 'yes' answers.
Plan placement with aging and movement in mind; compare angles.
Follow the preparation checklist and confirm deposits, touch-ups, and pricing.

Example Use Cases

Research symbol origins before getting a mandala or glyph tattoo.
Review artist portfolios for healed work, not just fresh photos.
Forecast placement considering muscle movement to avoid distortion.
Adhere to preparation steps: hydrate, no alcohol, sleep, and proper meal.
Discuss pricing and deposits before scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

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