How big is too big?

This is my first tattoo. I'm comfortable with the artist and his work. Most likely it'll be my only tatto (I say that now, hahaha). He's going to start the outlining on Saturday and I believe it's going to be fairly large. Not an entire back piece by any means, but bigger than the avg little playboy bunny tattoo. I've been getting a lot of negative feedback, including from my husband. He thinks I'm going too big. I think if it's too small, it'll ruin the tattoo. I've heard everything from I'll hate it being so big, to it's not going to be feminine. It's going to be in the upper middle part of my back. It's a Koi with scenery. It's my back dammit and I've put a lot of thought and research into this...Call me neurotic. Are big (er) tattoos on women unfeminine? Also, if it's in the mid part of my back, will the tat be effected when i lose weight? Which I plan on doing so I can show it off!

The size of tattoos on women do not take away any of their femininity at all, but the content can. Your plan sounds beautiful. Anyone that complains obviously hasn't looked through some of the galleries on this site. Some very beautiful women with some very large pieces! The weight loss shouldn't be a factor due to the location of your tattoo, but how much weight are we talking? If we're talking about stomach stapling to loose 600 lbs, then there might be a noticeable difference, but 50 lbs or so with the tattoo in that area shouldn't be a problem. To answer How big is too big: If it's bigger than what you have for skin, it's too big :), but seriously, you're the one wearing it, you're the best judge of what is too big. Everyones opinion will be different, but yours is the one that counts. Anyone that says you won't like the size of it later on, you'll think it's too big, the truth is, you'll be sick of people like that saying it's too big. If anything, I notice people wishing they went larger!

They are just being scared for you. Larger tattoos often fit the body better and will be able to have a more effective dramatic impact on the viewer. The tattoo will be as feminine as the artist makes it, as you know size has little do do with gender...

Bigger is better, more flattering and way more sexy than smaller! As Krystof said above a lot depends on content and your idea sound VERY sexy...Will ya e-mail me a pic when its done? We would LOVE to see it...sounds like it will be BEAUTIFUL...and maybe your hubby is afraid he will have to start beating the guys off with a club!!...TAz of Painted Angel Studios

Seriously, go as large as you and your artist feel is necessary/visually alluring to capture the beauty of the design and PLEASE don't be swayed by negative/judgmental people. This is for YOU and on YOUR body, so trust YOUR instincts. My first tattoo covers a good portion of my shoulder blade and at the time ('93) people freaked out, but i didn't care. After all, pleasing yourself is more important, yes? I am speaking as a ultra feminine little vixen ;) who just got (3 days ago and still in progress) a rather large piece that starts on my chest and goes over my shoulder and onto the shoulder blade-the lotus with tibetan mantra is above my breast, and the fan and cherry blossoms span the shoulder area and the koi on my shoulder blade arcs into the fan . My artist ( KAZ of NY adorned, who i would definitely sing praises to from the proverbial rooptops) has with devastating artistry made this a very colorful, delicate and feminine piece--i can't even describe how beautiful it is!!!!!!!!! it isn't even filled yet and i just stare at it in absolute awe. So, TAZ is right on the money, if hubby doesn't like it too bad, there are lots of men out there who would appreciate you for who you are--you want someone to accept you in all of your beauty and complexity, not simply tolerate or be a stick-in-the-mud asshole. You go for it, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a guy, but I started with a smaller idea, and would up with a full shoulder piece, and boy am I glad I did. It's awesome. My artist would have been able to get none of the detail or color of this one in a smaller piece. I little tiny tattoo is sorta cute, but not very committed. A piece like the one you have planned (which by the way sounds beautiful, not to mention HOT) will have gorgeous shading and depth. You'll look hot as hell. I agree with these guys. I think your husband is just worried that he'll have to start fighting em off once the guys see how confident, individualistic and sexy you are.

Being a girl whom loves tattoos I believe, as in all things in life, bigger is better. I have 1 large tribal piece on my chest, including breast cups, it's very fem and my hubby and other men and women I show love it as well. I'm working on a 2nd large peice, of 9 lily flowers wrapping around my waist. It's still very fem as well. It's in the design and the artist to make it fem not in the size. What you have planned sounds wonderful. Go for it lady!

With a placement and subject matter like that, you want it large enough to be appropriately detailed. I'd go for a larger size that's still proportionate to your overall frame (if you're 5'2 vs 5'10 it makes a big difference!) I think it'll look great, and your husband will appreciate it more than if you get a small piece that doesn't look as good as it should - as long as the placement fits well with your curves! :)

Meredith, The original post on this one is a little old...but thanks for kickin' it back up to the top...I hadn't read it! I'm actually going for my first tattoo soon and it is also going to be rather large. I'm going through the same thing the orginal person is...everyone telling me that "that's kinda big isn't it?". And I agree with everyone here...it is my body and I'm going to be sure it flows well with my curves. I'm getting half my back and hip done with a swan, cherry blossoms, and lotus flower! Lots of meaning and with the artist I've chosen I'm sure it will be beautiful! So anyway, thanks...it was good to hear everyone's encouragement, even though it wasn't meant for me! Dana

You've gotta go big on one like that Dana, and frankly, you'll be glad you did!

Thanks DaddyRose...I know it will be good big. It's just hard when most people in your life is against something to do it anyway. I will be getting it, and they'll have to deal...it just sucks that people can't be more understanding of my personal decisions about my body. Oh well, such is life. Dana

LOL.. I'd searched for something and pulled up this thread... ended up forgetting I'd pulled up an old one... ooops but i'm glad it helped!