Multi-colored tattoos have always been popular and continue to be so. But as with any work, there are a few things you must remember before you begin.

• It’s generally good to remember that you’ll be viewing your tattoo through several layers of skin. This can cause a dimming or dulling effect.
• Your tattoo will always appear its freshest and brightest in the days after it is finally completed. Over time, exposure to sunlight usually causes pigments to dull or shift slightly. The best example of this is the newly trendy white pigment—sunlight can cause it to transmute into a creamier shade, rather than the pure, bright white with which you left the studio.
• Skin tone does matter when selecting a color scheme. If you have darker skin, plan accordingly. Pale skin tends to show off bright colors easily, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an exquisite piece of brilliantly pigmented art. Your tattoo artist is likely an expert at color mixing, and can create shades perfect and specific to your needs.
• While true metallic pigments, such as gold, silver, or chrome, are not yet available, skilled artists can mimic the appearance of these. If you know it’s something you’ll want, you should include it in your initial visit to a studio.
• Avoid overly complex or crowded designs, especially if you’re going with a multi-colored scheme. This can make the final image look both clunky and muddy, no matter how well designed the original concept might appear.

Portrait Tattoos

These tattoos have become very popular recently. They are an excellent way to commemorate a lost loved one or a very special event. However, portraiture is not every artist’s strong point.

When investigating artists and studios, you should be certain they have done this type of work before, and ask to see samples of it, so that you know you’ll be pleased with the finished product. If you’re in the market for a portrait tattoo, being more highly selective is not a bad thing at all!