taz --freehand?

When you say freehand do you mean really freehand or do you mean you draw with a marker on the skin first?

I didn't want to be the one to ask.............. TCE

It just seems he is always bragging about tattooing freehand without a stencil and if he uses a marker 1st that is somewhat of a stencil. This is in no way meant to take away from his obvious ability. Personally I couldn't care how it is done just as long as the outcome kicks ass.

Look dude I'm Not bragging ...I have no need to and yaes I do TRUE FREEHAND...thats needle to skin ...NO DRAWING NO FUCKING STERNCIL...what part do you not understand?

And I think there is a BIG difference.....I'm not trying to be a prick...yeah well ok I am a prick but I still stick with it...stencil to me is color by number....I don't give a flyin fuck...its cheatin...thats just me and how I came up ...where I came up in the barrio if ya pulled out a stencil they'd pull out a gun and say" what the fuck...you can't REALLY tattoo"...so thats it....once again yes its true freehand

TIm..what the fuck?...NEVER be afraid to ask me a question....you should know better...H8TR!!!!!

Wow it seems someone is in a bad mood tonight. Temper Temper Temper I have never asked this question before and I did not insult your obvious talent--so I'm not quite sure what has got your panties in a bunch. About the bragging comment-it seems you often mention you work freehand no stencil so you may not have meant to brag (it comes off that way at least to me). Well have a goodnight and sorry to upset you--no harm intended but obviously it got under your skin for some reason.

Wow I just read your second post and I really did piss you off. So if you use a stencil you are a cheater--So Chris Garver (no I don't watch MI I just happen to really search portfolios) are cheaters. i believe Joe C uses stencils at times (don't quote me on that one though) uses stencils. Julio Rod. at Hope uses stencils are these artists cheaters as well?

Matt, The point that you are missing, or maybe it just seems that way, is that the way Taz was brought up in the tattoo industry is a lot different then what you may be accustom to seeing these days. It's the Old school/ New school mentality. And don't confuse an opinion with rant and rave bitching. What Taz said is not a personal attack on any artist or their skill. Remember man, it's not always the way it seems when all you do is read someone's words.

Matt...man you didn't make me mad at all...you just don't know me...get over it!...As far as artists using stencils there are some out there that are LIGHT YEARS ahead of me ...that make me look like a rank amateur and yes they use stencils...I ain't mad at em...but those same artists could freehand with ease if they only tried...and most do at one time or another...now don't get all silly here...I appreciate your post however the "bragging" comment was out of line...no biggie...now ya know! So lets see more of you on here!....Are you an artist?...just wondered!...T

im sorry matt but coming out of nowhere and being all cavalier and questioning someone else's talent in outright rude and mocking manner is something i hope no real artist would sit back and just take a comment like that in stride. theres a million ways you could have asked that question that wouldnt have offended. "It just seems he is always bragging about tattooing freehand without a stencil and if he uses a marker 1st that is somewhat of a stencil." um yea thats a pretty terrific way to ask someone else a question. If youre a sociopath.

Mattd, I agree, I too think your wording made it seem like an attack or accusation. Besides, if you're refering to the work Taz did on J-Werk, one of Taz's post stated 'needle to skin', which IS what TRUE freehand Tattooing is. Personally, I think he pulls it off pretty damn well. I've only done it (true freehand) on small, simple pieces, prefer to lay it out on paper, make a 'line drawing' then a 'transfer' because I once saw a guy who was pretty damn good try one that way and fucked it up bigtime, always made me rather nervous to try. But, I have certainly seen it done and seen work done 'true freehand' that was kick ass and Taz pulls it off well so give the man his props, I do....Doc

I always have and always will use stencils. Guess Ill always be a cheater. Even when I do a painting I will use preliminary sketches..drawings..re-drawings....Hell sometimes I've even sculpted before and during a painting. On top of that many tracings. Shame on me.lol

Again my comments were totally tongue in cheek...I freehand...thats it...just because I do doesn't mean I think I'm better or more skilled than anyone else...so thats that. When doing the large custom pieces I usually do, the "sketch" is there its just in my mind and not on paper Freehanding has gotten a bad name in the past few years by incompetent assholes who advertise freehand and then either stencil the piece on or try to freehand and, lacking the skills and experience necessary, fuck the tattoo all the way up. However there are still a few of us...a VERY few... That still practise true freehanding and the few of us that are left are proud of our art and its methods...so don't think I am denigrating anyones methods just because my methods are not the norm....there ya go!...TAz

paleojohn you are an excellent artist and that you sketch out your idea doesnt mean shit... when i draw/paint/tattoo my mind never sits still. im all over the place running through concepts of light, color, line thickness everything, the image morphs and changes, and if that stencil isnt there... well its a safety net kinda.. and just cuz you use one doesnt mean you dont know how to tattoo or draw or paint. we should all work within our limits... Guy Aitcheson said a good stencil is the foundation of a good tattoo, all planning and decisions need to be made before you start your machine, and i agree with this. Even if i do sketch something on the skin with a marker i will have drawn all my ideas on paper and go over it many times. and what would it be called if you sketch out your ideas on skin with permanent marker. In my mind thats freehand. all the work is being created ON THE SKIN, not on paper.

I totally agree! I admire Tazs ability to do what he does. It works for him. I admire ANY good piece of art period. Dosnt matter what goes in...just the outcome. The art is in the finished product. PERIOD.

Did I say period TWICE???? must be MY time of the month?.lol

All my planning and decisions ARE made before I start my machine ...just in some cases I don't Need to do it on paper...certainly I use sketches and do studies on nearly all my tattoos...it would be absurd to think otherwise...and yes drawing on the skin IS freehand but TRUE freehand is needle to skin...one BIG difference...I think too much is being made of the subject...as the Bard said " methinks she doth protest too much"...Nuff said?

For those of you who think I meant any disrespect you are mistaken. I wrote twice about Taz's obvious ability. I just had a question and I guess not be able to ask it in person you miss the nonverbal cues. No harm intended---not trying to be an internet tough guy

this is a art form by 2 ways 1 being by using a skin scribe to be used for the periphial line or the border line.and the 2nd is no marker what so ever bare skin to needle wether you are using a picture for reference or out of your tormented skull. i also can do both. but and let me stress here that there are some desings that i cannot do without the pussy purple shit.as im not as experinced as the old fart taz.i also have a lot of clients that if they see the purple paper coming towards them they will knock out what teeth i have left.when i first got started in tattooing i was told to be a true artist you will need to have this ability or dont even bother.80 percent of my work is freehand both ways and i love doing it.as does that older than the hills taz. keep it real keep it alive love the art and respect it also

Ok its good youre apologizing but it still seems you dont really get what you said that offended. "When you say freehand do you mean really freehand or do you mean you draw with a marker on the skin first? " "It just seems he is always bragging about tattooing freehand without a stencil and if he uses a marker 1st that is somewhat of a stencil. This is in no way meant to take away from his obvious ability. Personally I couldn't care how it is done just as long as the outcome kicks ass." Had you left it at just that first post im sure no one would have taken offense. but that second post really just wholly rude and obnoxious. You answered your question before he had a chance to post and you made an assumption that turned out to be wrong. just realize it was a bad way to come off and next time just be polite man. people are always willing to help or answer your questions on here as long as you show a little respect doing it.

Matt...its all good man...no biggie pal!!...T

Guess what?...I am gonna use a fucking stencil for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE today....just to see ya know....I do feel guilty tho!...LOL!!!

I swear whenever i hear stencil i always get a picture in my head of someone tattooing through one of those big plastic stencils with all the letters cut out that they use in kindergarten.

Well isn't that what you are supposed to do

Ok I actually started to try the stencil thing but I just couldn't force myself....so I cheated and frehanded it...Go with what ya know!!

i like you mattd

This coming from a troll like Koochie snore?....better watch out Matt!....That was NOT a compliment!

if doing tattoos freehand is how you do your thing, then why do you tell us thats how the tattoo was done freehand. like when i show a friend a tattoo i did i dont go.. "yeah and its %100 stencilled by the way" (waiting for them to jump back in astonishment and verbally suck my dick for a couple minutes) most competent artists can tell when someone freehands and when someone stencils, and honestly to me it doesnt matter, its about how they learned, apparently when they learned, and most importantly, how they work... how they are comfortable working. and i understand the skill it takes to do it, and i respect that, but why throw it out there? i believe artists should be humble. to me it comes off as arrogant, i dont care if you had to do the tattoo on a boat in a storm stand on your head with monkeys chewing on your ears... its like someone sees the tattoo and really digs it and you have to take it that much further to gain more respect or boost your subconcious ego or feed yourself somehow by saying how you did it. painters and so forth normally never sketch anything out, but it doesnt say %100 freehand below the painting and im sure its not mentioned. bottom line: if the art is excellent it doesnt matter what road you took to get there regardless of the medium. now... ATTACK!

Nope! No attack from this soldier...if you are intimidated jealous or whatever its ok we understand your insecurity ...I am damn proud I am a freehand artist...now wheres YOUR stencil work?...

Oh and by the way...painters don't sketch first?...THATS hilarious!! Even Da vinci did numerous sketches in charcoal before he painted...do some research!

OH TAz BAYBEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not a h8tr!!! I just didn't want to sound stupid......................even if I really am, DAMMIT!!!! Freehanding the stencil on the skin would have been impressive enough, but no, you have to go and separate the boys................................. say, that's a mighty big crow bar you're packin' there mister. You can do whatever ya want on me my man, just as long as I can compete with Jason when yer done. LOL!!! TCE

no i do like mattd. another person gone through the wringer unfairly. brave to those who dare.

matt email me

ok first off taz, this wasnt to attack you, i just think its stupid to point out how good you are to people, i think its arrogant, just cuz you did a nice tattoo doesnt mean you have to say yeah i did it this way or that way. I used to get it with my music, id say "yeah i made this song by doing this and this and that" and get alot of responses saying "we dont give a fuck how you cut it, looped it, filtered it, fruity looped it, it sounds like this and this is what we hear" my point was that i dont care how people get their results i respect the results if i see fit, yet if i see %100 percent free hand! it pushes me away, i could give a fuck. like i gave the example about the boat in the storm with monkeys and shit... i dont give a fuck how you got the outcome either its good or it sucks, and i commended you on the work and how hard it is to freehand but obviously you toook offense to it man, you seem to easily... back yourself into your own corner. I like you and your work taz. but you seem to get extremely defensive over nothing example: "...if you are intimidated jealous or whatever its ok we understand your insecurity " in response... fuck off, im not jealous nor insecure... i work at my own pace and i dont envy your ability, honestly im not impressed by the piece, other than that its a clean well executed tattoo.. i think its visually pleasing but it says nothing its just a biomech piece congrats man. its been done. like i said i respect your work but i dislike the attitude that went with it. i dont care that its free hand.. ill repeat myself again and again, artist should be humble, art is to be enjoyed and yet cirtiqued, my problem is when someone has to point out how good they are and how they got there, thats when i go... you know what? good for fuckin you im glad you think youre so good congrats.... i think your comment makes you look arrogant.. im jealous of you? intimidated? and refer to yourself as we? like the whole forum is here to back you up??? and if they are i dont care... "I am damn proud I am a freehand artist..." and seriously no doubt you are, you are obviously very conifident in yourself which is something you need in this business.. and on top of that... tattooing freehand is very hard... and i commend you for that.. yet i dont think its necessary to apply the information with the tattoo.. "now wheres YOUR stencil work?... " taz ive already posted my "stencil work" its already up on this forum, i dont know which thread its under, but i posted it on here, im an apprentice and ive been working for 6 months but if your upset at my comments and want to tear me apart find it and do what you will. "Oh and by the way...painters don't sketch first?...THATS hilarious!! Even Da vinci did numerous sketches in charcoal before he painted...do some research!" i never said that, what i said was that painters dont put up a nice piece and say %100 freehand. i was showing my appreciation to being a humble artist, why is it that tattoo artists have to comment on their work that way? "%100 freehand"... taz i stand by everything i said. you are a great confident artist, and i think its arrogant to toss extra info on a tattoo, let the viewer absorb the piece. and obviously you did attack...

ok first off taz, this wasnt to attack you, i just think its stupid to point out how good you are to people, i think its arrogant, just cuz you did a nice tattoo doesnt mean you have to say yeah i did it this way or that way. I used to get it with my music, id say "yeah i made this song by doing this and this and that" and get alot of responses saying "we dont give a fuck how you cut it, looped it, filtered it, fruity looped it, it sounds like this and this is what we hear" my point was that i dont care how people get their results i respect the results if i see fit, yet if i see %100 percent free hand! it pushes me away, i could give a fuck. like i gave the example about the boat in the storm with monkeys and shit... i dont give a fuck how you got the outcome either its good or it sucks, and i commended you on the work and how hard it is to freehand but obviously you toook offense to it man, you seem to easily... back yourself into your own corner. I like you and your work taz. but you seem to get extremely defensive over nothing example: "...if you are intimidated jealous or whatever its ok we understand your insecurity " in response... fuck off, im not jealous nor insecure... i work at my own pace and i dont envy your ability, honestly im not impressed by the piece, other than that its a clean well executed tattoo.. i think its visually pleasing but it says nothing its just a biomech piece congrats man. its been done. like i said i respect your work but i dislike the attitude that went with it. i dont care that its free hand.. ill repeat myself again and again, artist should be humble, art is to be enjoyed and yet cirtiqued, my problem is when someone has to point out how good they are and how they got there, thats when i go... you know what? good for fuckin you im glad you think youre so good congrats.... i think your comment makes you look arrogant.. im jealous of you? intimidated? and refer to yourself as we? like the whole forum is here to back you up??? and if they are i dont care... "I am damn proud I am a freehand artist..." and seriously no doubt you are, you are obviously very conifident in yourself which is something you need in this business.. and on top of that... tattooing freehand is very hard... and i commend you for that.. yet i dont think its necessary to apply the information with the tattoo.. "now wheres YOUR stencil work?... " taz ive already posted my "stencil work" its already up on this forum, i dont know which thread its under, but i posted it on here, im an apprentice and ive been working for 6 months but if your upset at my comments and want to tear me apart find it and do what you will. "Oh and by the way...painters don't sketch first?...THATS hilarious!! Even Da vinci did numerous sketches in charcoal before he painted...do some research!" i never said that, what i said was that painters dont put up a nice piece and say %100 freehand. i was showing my appreciation to being a humble artist, why is it that tattoo artists have to comment on their work that way? "%100 freehand"... taz i stand by everything i said. you are a great confident artist, and i think its arrogant to toss extra info on a tattoo, let the viewer absorb the piece. and obviously you did attack...

Good young Skywalker, Let the Hate flow through you.

...did you not read? no hate at all... how many times must i say i respect taz and his fucking artwork for it to set in?

CALM buddy its called a joke.

ive been drinking all night got home saw the response to my post. and ghjkl;'

if i draw a drawing freehand and then i erase, is it still considered freehand? me and my buddy have a bet, beers on the line.

*sigh* vishnu...nothing against you man, but maybe consider not "drunk posting" as you seem to have the same outcome as someone who drunk dials. Granted, taz can defend himself I'm sure...I'm not exactly "sticking up" for him, but then again I am. Personally, and maybe I missed this somewhere, I didn't see taz say "I'm a great artist because I free handed this picture". This conjecture was made by everyone else. Here you guys are getting your panties in a twist simply because he said he free handed a few things. He's fucking proud of it, as we all agree he should be, now why shouldn't he have the right to say so? And why are you guys trying to get on his case so much for doing so? Bragging, not being humble...what the fuck guys? No fucking wonder he doesn't post shit often. But honestly, you're blowing things way out of proportion. All he said was that he free handed a picture...everyone else made up the rest. I just don't see why ya'll are getting so worked up over the comment. I'd personally hate is as an artist if I was expected to "keep my mouth shut" aka humble about every piece I did, especially if it involved a certain level of difficulty. So instead of sharing in this achievement...ya'll have been...well...haha, H8tERS!

Vish my friend...Look I didn't take offense at your post at all man!And you actually started me thinking ...Am I being arrogant?... After carefully considering this I decided that NO! I am NOT being arrogant whatsoever...Pride in ones work goes with the territory and I am proud....thats it man...I don't think I am arrogant at all....I hope you will try to accept that...if not well thats ok too...Humble?...I think I am...I frequently state how some of these young artists are light years ahead of me ...I'm not a great artist....compared to some I am not even a good artist...and I have stated that repeatedly...I do decent tattoos and will ALWAYS try to better myself and improve my skills....now does this sound at all arrogant?....I think not....I will continue to use the term "100% freehand" as a proud but not arrogant term that encompasses my work...But hey I appreciate your comments and I am not attacking you man...I hope you continue posting just what you think and we can have many positive discussions here....now just to set the record straight you DID say that painters don't sketch first...its at the bottom of your first post...but thats no big deal either man...don't trip...and I hope we are still buds!...TAz!

i had made a fuckin huge post clearing this all up once again, about what i said how and why it was directed towards you but tattoonow just went down when i hit enter and im saving my entries before i hit submit from now on. i just came back to see if this page was back and running, sometimes i come here and all that loads is the background tribal thing. there are no hard feelings an there never was.

illusion, You are right, Taz has never called himself better than anyone because he is a freehand artist. The only time he has ever even implied it is when he comments on other people's work...and it's not even implied really, his talent is known...and it's good to have pride in your work. However, Taz does bring up his freehanding a lot. I don't personally care, but i can see how some people with certain beliefs and values could find that as being too proud or trying to prove something. Just because you don't see it that way, you should still be able to understand why others may. Personally, i believe that everyone in today's society feels like they have to prove something to others, and i know i do the same thing. Everything is so competative. However, when someone makes an honest comment about how they are feeling, their view should not be disreguarded or reacted to in a negative way just because it is different than the general consensis. And, those who challenge others have to be ready to accept the rebuttle that occurs when they do so. Simply knowing that the world is so competative and opinions are taken personally all the time, a reaction should be expected. This does not make either person wrong, because on matters such as these there is no wrong or right. It all boils down to a person's opinion. And, people should not attack other people for having a difference of opinion and voicing it. The person that originated this post was not rude...people just did not want to hear that opinion from someone...but if you want to voice your own, you have to allow others to do the same. you can still have respect for others yet disagree with them. It all comes down to the age old saying, "agree to disagree". and that's the end of my little rantings :D

Ducky dear I think You hit it on the head...I have a pretty thick skin and can take whatever crticism I get ...after this long in the biz if I hadn't developed a thick skin I would be pouting all the time...no room for that....its just no biggie...if people consider me arrogant because I am proud of the humble skills I posess then so be it...ya can't please everyone and I don't even try anymore....I am a freehand artist...I worked for many years to develop that skill...a skill few still posess and I am proud of that fact.....thats not bragging...thats fact...there are so many people out there even tattoo artists who don't have a clue about freehanding...its nearly a lost art so....arrogant or not...I am A Freehander ...take that as you will...TAz

i see it as justified bragging :D

Thats a good way to put it Ducky dear!

i just have a question taz, do you think you could better you skills by using a stencil? just wondering 51

No, just cuts down on the time.

Time is money J! Just kiddin...I think having a taz tat would be priceless. Maybe someday I'll get my ass over there for one :)

I can freehand much FASTER THAN MOST USING A STENCIL....why draw it twice when once does the job?

hey taz I was wondering, if I ever wandered my way down there when I turned 18 would you ever give me an apprenticeship??? Cuz as soon as I get money and turn of age I'm outta the state and plannin on moving down there somewhere. 51

Ryan I told you a long time ago I wished you wer closer...hell yes I would take you on....as long as you were dedicated man I would love to have you buddy...you let me know!

Taz is free to talk about anything he wants here, including his pride in his freehand tattooing, but it disturbs me that visitors might leave here thinking that artists who use stencils are lazy paint by numbers cheaters. Not for nothing Taz, but the reason we want to see the body of your work (not a few blurry tattoos) is because you ARE being quite boastful about your freehanding and how useless stencils are and its impossible to really compare your tattoos to those cheaters who are in these galleries... I would never advise anyone to trust an artist to tattoo strait to skin, the leaders of the industry wouldn't be using stencils(sometimes very complicated ones) and skin scribing if it were a waste of time... The few photos Ive seen would not inspire me to trust Taz to tattoo right to my skin, though admittedly I am clearly a tattoo snob. Everyone does their own thing, though, and Im happy Taz has made a career of true freehanding. Cant wait to see clear shots of finished tattoos. And before you ask, you cant see my drawings/tattoos, I dont draw or tattoo. I have been around extremely talented tattoo artists for over a decade, some of the best, and with few exceptions (like small flowers in the background and such) have never seen anyone completely freehand a tattoo... But I dont draw myself and only been around the industry for 15 years, so there.

Boasting is for blowhards and I am not one and although YOU may not be secure in my ability it seems that many are ...but thanks for your comments!

You two are cute when you bicker.

Tis true, and thats the fun of this world. Maybe someday I'll see your portfolio and can change my mind...

Taz can you post picture of your freehand work? I'm really interested about seeing a result of a freehand artist that doesn't use any kind of guide. I will never do a freehand job with a stencil or skin scribe, in order to do that you need first to be able to draw with pen on paper without sweeping on time, and or erasing. To me that seems pretty much impossible and no matter how good you are you'll fuck up at least one. We are talking about skin, liabilities and people. I would reduce the risk of any possible fuck up to zero.

Its all right there ...every one I do ...

Hee.... Taz, did you check that damn email yet! *smiling sweetly*

thanks gabe for getting in on this...taz and i got into it once before, over this free handing stuff. i'm not saying it can't be done....no take that back....why even try it? the potential for error is much to high.

Yeah and me and a few select others are STILL doing it quite successfully thanks...

There are different kinds of art for a reason, everyone has different preferences. I'm not the kind of person that would ever be comfortable with someone freehanding a tattoo on me, but there are people out there that ARE comfortable with it and PREFER it. So, I don't think it should be a question of whether or not people should do it, but whether or not you choose to have it done on you. There are plenty of people out there in the world who deserve the option to choose between which artist, style, and method they prefer. In my mind freehanding is just one more option, not the best, not the worst, just one more. Taz, I think it's great that you do what works for you and you obviously have talent and no lack of very satisfied customers...good on ya! Dana

Well said, Dana, couldn't have said it better myself. Shit, I can remember when we used pre-made, acetate stencils and I really don't recall as there having been 'custom tatooing' back then. 'Course I can also remember back when most tattooed people were usually a lot less judgemental of everyone else over petty differences and most folks gave a certain amount of respect to someone who worked hard to achieve a skill not everyone had....Doc

Dana and Doc ya make some sense

Cravink...just to let ya know....35 years of frehand pal and I have never "fucked one up" yet...but thats cool...join the attack...by the way where and when can we see YOUR work?...just wondering...no hurry man...no pressure!!!...LOL!!!

"'Course I can also remember back when most tattooed people were usually a lot less judgemental of everyone else over petty differences and most folks gave a certain amount of respect to someone who worked hard to achieve a skill not everyone had....Doc" back in those days there was no internet for people to and blab and brag and criticize and philosophize annonomyously to make themselves feel important. Just a thought... Before the internet people had to really "put up" to get respect and props. (that's probably not really true but anyway) Now alls you have to do is talk endlessly, talk often, and talk shit. You see it in every forum, I'm not just talking about tattoos. man, for someone who spends so much time on the internet, I talk a lot of crap it.

Taz I am posting soon this yin-yan koi color back piece that I am doing... I've been doing shitty girly freelance stuff lately, but whoever wants to check my work this past week can go to myspace http:///www.inkednation.com/cravink, the full time tattoo days have been consumed by getting the money first, but the shop is opening soon and swimming to it full time again, my fiance can't take random people coming to the studio at home anymore. Wish me luck!

I meant "inkednation" not myspace

For me, this whole issue of freehand has to do with the fact that 1) Whenever this is brought up with a TattooNOW artist or artist at our studio the responce is "Free-handing strait to skin is pretty stupid except in some special cases (generally small stuff) and where can we see Taz's freehand tattoos?" We've seen 3 maybe 4 photos for us to really compare this true freehand work with half blurry photos to other peoples work that is stenciled/skin scribed. I also think its amazing that the true freehanders will talk about how drawing a stencil is stupid cause you have to draw it out twice, but evidently its drawn up a a few times before on paper... whatever, it really is stupid, but the fact is until we really can see a body of work done like this its hard to tell the quality.

Still not geeting it are we?...Didn't say stencil was stupid or if I did even intimate that it was tongue in chekk...I have said all along ....I don't care how others do it ...for crissake get a sense of humor....let it go and do something positive...I know I will waste no more time on the subject ...bye bye

Doctor John, Those acetate stencils you wrote about,do you know what that black powder like substance that was used for the outline was made of ? I've often wondered what it was.

GD, while it was called 'stencil powder' it was actually finely ground charcoal and I'm a bit amazed that anyone even understood what I was talking about but 'back then' I'm reasonably sure it was the usual way of doing things (I, for one, do not miss 'em but can't look at an electric engraver without remembering 'em)...Doc

Thanks Doctor John. That is a while back alright! We really had to search to even find a real tattoo shop. After all the negative bs I had to hear about getting tattooed back then (1969),today we can feel vindicated!

God those old things were MESYY!...thank god I started out FREEHANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROFLMAO!

Still haven't seen any freehand art, and I am sure you have plenty of them. I am not challenging I'm just curious to see how you go straight with the needles on someone's skin without any reference. I Believe you, just haven't ever see a whole freehanded piece (I mean with no reference on the skin whatsoever.

Cravink we are not on the same page here buddy...every tattoo I have posted is freehand...true freehand....just look...thats freehand...??????????????????????????????????????????????

sorry didn't see your reply.. cool, let me know when I can check a link with pics. C

Gabe, stop bein so stuck up. Taz has said that he does not see the point to draw a stencil when he is able to tattoo right to the skin...not no point in general! and, a preliminary sketch is a lot different than a stencil applied to the skin. You need to stop twisting peoples' words so that they sound worse than they are.

Cravink...I have a guy coming to do a video of a rue freehand tattoo soon and I will either e mail it to ya or give you a link pal....and again that site of yours is AMAZING! Ducky....yep! transoarent as hell huh?

Wow what a nightmare. When you have a public, and very open Forum like this your always gonna have people throwing there two cents in. Not always warranted, but there none the less. You've got "Professionals" posting advice, talking shit, and yes sometimes helping others with his, or her wisdom. That's something you choose to do for yourself. When the same people your helping, or whom are entertained here call you out, or wish to see some of your credentials, than by all means show it. If you choose not to (and that is your right), than don't bitch or get all bothered when it turns into a "thing". That's there right here, on this open forum. Here's the deal, Gabe has asked my opinion on several occasions about deleting, or editing posts. I responded with, unless its something that you or your audience is going to find truly distasteful, that it should stand. This is not a "Professional" forum (mores the pity), but a public one that people can post questions, and have everyone answer to, or comment on. That's the chance you take when using a board like this. Is it childish when individuals take pop shots at one another, or comment, and critique on things they haven't got the foggiest clue about. Hell yes, can you stop it NO, that's there right here on this "Public/open" forum. My advice to you who feel the need to take part here, and help one another out is ignore what you don't like. Stop blaming everyone else for your issues with something you can't control. Fact of the matter is if what your doing is helping, or entertaining you, than you get what you want outta this. Don't place the blame at Gabe's feet because he won't bend and censor what you and everyone on this forum can control. Cause one day he may delete something you feel strongly about, and than who's ta blame? Just my opinion, and yes if you wanna know where I stand in this profession check out my work here on this site or at www.joecapobianco.com And if you don't like what you see, who cares. Can't hear you from my backyard. Just my opinion JOE

Joe I agree with every word!! Maybe we will all listen ...YOUR words DO carry weight ( fuckin tattoo GOD!...Hope yer thumbs fall off LOL!) I know I will NEVER come close to your skills but gotta keep on tryin man....as for censoring...that is jsut not acceptable unless as you said it is obviously a troll trying to foment dissent or has really unacceptable content....TAz

Lovely post JOE although I think you are a dirty man, lol ! That's exactly what I've been trying to come across. I've never seen a true freehand or have heard of any of my buddies practicing the art that way. They all seem to believe it's really irresponsible to take the chance of errors when tattooing a client. I simply, like others want to see such a sharp skill achieve throughout 35 years of experience and tons of awards come true. Buddy Taz, we all love you, just post the damn pictures!!!! lol. Go to www.photobucket.com and host your gallery for free, hit us with a link. Much appreciated.

READ THE POST ABOVE MY FRIEND!!!....ITS COMING AND A VIDEO....have never heard fo freehand?...live in a cave?LOL!

Lovely post JOE although I think you are a dirty man, lol ! That's exactly what I've been trying to come across. I've never seen a true freehand or have heard of any of my buddies practicing the art that way. They all seem to believe it's really irresponsible to take the chance of errors when tattooing a client. I simply, like others want to see such a sharp skill achieve throughout 35 years of experience and tons of awards come true. Buddy Taz, we all love you, just post the damn pictures!!!! lol. Go to www.photobucket.com and host your gallery for free, hit us with a link. Much appreciated.

No man I live in a pretty house. I've seen and done freehand but always with a mere reference. I am talking about no stencil/skin scribe. Come on don't give me a hard time. Now we have to wait for a video? you seem to keep postponing. Looking forward to that video.

I'm not postponing shit and I'm tired of that tired old shit..... I do things on my time and refuse to be pressured...have a nice day!