YAY did my first gig...

[Fishboy]

So, I finally did my first tat gig after about 8 months of lurking.

I had an opportunity to set up a table at a my daughter's school Christmas festival. Table cost was $25, Attendance was between 200 and 300 and I did about 40 to 50 tats.

Prices ranged from $3 to $8 depending on size and colors (I charged 1 - 2 dollars more for more than 1 color)

Everything went great. The customers were all happy, I got some practice, and it wasn't so busy as to be overwhelming my first time out. I may even have a couple of corporate party gigs coming as a result.

Now for the main question I have. Living in Puerto Rico there are a wide range of complexions on the customers. I found fair and tan skin to be very easy to work on, but I did have one woman with very very dark skin. What are the best colors to use on people of African lineage with very dark skin. I started with a light blue dragon with black highlights, but found that it didn't show all that well. In the end I added some white over top for a silvery blue look that seemed to pop alright, but I'd like some advice on color selection and methods since this is going to be a common occurrence for me.

Thanks so much for all the info on this site. It really went a long way.

[Full Blast]

I spent the summer in an amusement park and water park, I painted T's but spent some time around the Tat booth. When it came to really dark skin types try to steer them toward the lighter colors (DUR! haahaa) But honestly let the customer do the picking, if theres concern spray touch of the color desired then wipe it off and go from there. But at the water park the best color in my opinion on dark skin types was a very light blue, floresent red or pink, or a mix. I did see some folks asking for dark colors, and they werent unhappy that they were difficult to see.

Hope that didnt make things worse.

[ABD]

Was in a real tattoo shop once..The owner was busy with a tribal design on a Black gal..When done they exchanged thanks and all nicey nice, she left...The owners girlfriend yelled at him for not taking a pic of the work for his portfolio..His reply "it was black on brown, why bother with pics, you can barely see it"..LOL

I know it doesn't help with yer color picking..but some folks don't mind em blending like that ya know..This was permanent, she was happier than stink on poo..LOL

Sorry, dumb story, just reminded me of it and all:D

[Neil]

Just paint them white and then add the colors
~Neil
www.getpainted.com
Painting America one body at a time

[airbrushingmadman]

Yes I always A) either suggest they pick lighter colors, tell them it will enhance it. OR B) put white underneath the colors.

As a rule I will always just put white underneath. This way there is a low chance of it looking dull and having to redo it.

Ashley
www.theweekendworker.com
Keep On Sprayin'!

[patriciorip]

Good data... I thought I was doing something wrong hehe never tought of that. I'll try it next time...

[uscgboatie]

could you buffer the color with white or even spray white as a base then the color over it?