As an artist, what do you prefer?

Tattoo artists, who do you prefer to have as a client: someone who comes in knowing EXACTLY what they want down to the last detail or someone who has a general idea and wants you to deal with the details? Like, if someone comes in and says "I want a sparrow in this style with this color, this big and with this type of shading" vs "I want a sparrow about this big, some shade of blue". Who are you happier to see come in the shop door?

Nikki- I have had both types of clients and can tell you that I personally enjoy working with someone who is not concrete about a design and willing to work with me. When the client wants a design EXACTLY like they brought in it doesnt take into account the body form, location or color balances at all which would only enhance the design---instead of making it look like a coloring book page. I will still do it for them if they are set on getting that work done, but always try to advise them to adjust colors or form if possible.

I agree with jeanne, I much prefer a little openess. It is the clients body, the clients tattoo but it helps to trust that your artist will know what looks best concerning the way it looks and the fit.

Does it ever go too far in that direction? Like the client doesn't have ENOUGH preferences and it's left up to you to pry ideas out of them or come up with everything on your own?

Nikki- Yes I have had clients in the past who give me vague ideas of what they are thinking and pretty much leave it up to me to design. It can be tricky because what I think and what they think could be totally different-so I typically work on a few different versions with color ideas and show them and go from there. I dont want them to feel they have no say in the design itself, but I do share with them my thoughts and how I arrived at the final design which usually helps them too. I look at it this way- it is a partnership that will forever be on someone-so getting it totally right and understanding the client 100% is vital. I never want someone going to another shop telling them that their "last artist" didn't listen and they are not happy with their design.