How to Add to Tattoos

How to Add to Tattoos
Published: Jun 25, 2008
Updated: Dec 13, 2021
3 minute read

Tattoos can be like potato chips: once you have one, you’re going to want a whole lot more. Rather than randomly tattoo knees, elbows and calves, you can add to tattoos in a way that creates an overall pleasing picture. It especially helps if you pick a theme, but it's not necessary as long as you keep tattoos in the same type of style so your body is not covered with jarring juxtapositions of art. You can add to tattoos with a little forethought and a few simple steps.

Assess the tattoos you already have. Take a look at the placement, subject matter and style or your existing tattoos and figure out what would fit in as your next installment.

Decide where you want a new one. Placement can be determined by your existing tattoos or just where you want a new one. If you have one bicep covered, perhaps you want to start adding to your other arm. If one leg is adorned, pick your placement on the opposite foot. Lots of people like symmetry, so that’s an easy call when it comes to adding new tattoos.

Decide what the new one should be. You may want to match the mood and theme of your existing tattoos, or you may not. For a match, bodies tattooed with dragons, spiders and snakes may scream out for a tattoo of some type of animal skeleton. Skin sashayed with butterflies and flowers may plead to add a heart. Tribal art works well to compliment any tattoos, but again you get to choose if you want thick, black lines or thinner, intertwined outlines.

Sketch a rough drawing of the new tattoo to determine the size, shape and any details that must be included. Play around with the size, shape and other aspects to make the tattoo fit where and what you want. You can also go down to your local tattoo shop and ask the artist to design one for you based on what you’ve thought about.

Practice with your design. Make a photocopy of your sketch and cut out the photocopy. That way you will be free to place your design in different areas of your body to see where it best compliments your existing artwork.

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Finalize the design. This can be done yourself or with help from the awesome tattoo artist you know. Input from several other people may be helpful, or it may be annoying and full of horrible ideas. This is your body; you make the final decision.

Ryn Gargulinski

Ryn Gargulinski is a writer, artist and performer whose journalism career began in 1991. Credits include two illustrated books, "Bony Yoga" and "Rats Incredible"; fitness, animal, crime, general news and features for various publications;…

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