Cover-ups and reworks.
Often possible, sometimes not, and the only honest answer comes from seeing what is already on you.
Start an inquiryWhat this actually means.
What is realistic depends on how dark the existing piece is, how big it is, and where it sits. Dark and solid is harder to cover than light and open, and a cover-up usually has to be larger than the original to work. Heavy blackwork is genuinely useful here, because solid black can absorb an old outline in a way a lighter style cannot.
Send a clear, well-lit photograph of the existing tattoo with your inquiry, along with what you would like instead. The artist will tell you what is actually achievable rather than what you want to hear, and if a rework or laser fading first would give a better result, they will say so.
A rework is the other option and is often the better one. Rather than hiding the old piece, an artist redraws into it, tightens the line work and rebuilds the parts that have blown out or faded.
Asked about cover-ups and reworks.
- Can you cover or rework an old tattoo?
- Often, but it depends entirely on what is already there. Send a clear photo of the existing piece with your inquiry and the artist will tell you what is realistic.
- What should I send with my inquiry?
- The idea, roughly how big, where on your body, and any reference images that show the feeling you are after. The more specific you are, the more useful the answer.
Also at Tomb.
Tomb Gallery & Tattoo is at 274-276 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970. 11am to 6pm, seven days a week through September and October.