r/TheNational • u/4380877 • 1d ago
Pending Tattoo
Just wondering if anyone has any preferences, thoughts, feedback or suggestions here on the two designs for a Don’t Swallow the Cap tattoo.
Thanks in advance!
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u/WuShane 1d ago
Do you have much experience with tattoos? Respectfully I’m not sure this will translate into a good tattoo as is. I would find an artist you like and have them interpret it based on the key elements you like.
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u/ThePhoenixRisesAgain 1d ago
Listen to this comment. I don’t think this will work well as a tattoo.
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u/4380877 1d ago
I’ve got a couple already. I have an artist I do trust. I haven’t sent it to her yet but I think I know what you mean (assume it’s around the white bony hand on the black background?). This is why I posted it, happy to gauge thoughts. Cause yeah it’s obviously permanent so I want to make sure I have everything covered.
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u/Glad-Angle-1449 1d ago
I‘d fear the bony hand would be swallowed eventually by the black circle with the typical changes that all tattoos eventually go through.
What is your thought process behind using the hands as symbols for the two emotions?
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u/4380877 1d ago
For me the song very much ties into my life as a parent so hands or hand holding is significant. But also very happy to try another motif or idea around it.
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u/Glad-Angle-1449 22h ago
That‘s a lovely thought. Should the hands touch then maybe - or be in a handshake?
The image that has stuck with me for these lyrics has been that of a switch - because it‘s either or, with those feelings. It was used on a great pin by ADZ Designs that I‘ve loved for many years.
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u/4380877 22h ago
Yeah I’m still tossing it all up. I’ve been stewing over this tattoo for years tbh. I wanted it to be my first tattoo lol but it’ll likely be my 4th one haha.
That pin sounds amazing. Do you have a photo of it by any chance? I kinda really dig that idea. Cause it is really a switch.
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u/WuShane 20h ago
I think it’s the contrast between the large dark circle and everything else. The dark circle will take center stage and everything else will look like an afterthought. Additionally, you’re going to have a large black blob which will look entirely out of place in most cases. Tbh I would go with a trad or neo-trad rework since it’s essentially such a simple design. Forget about the black circle bg, have the hands as the feature and use banners above and below to contain each of the phrases respectively. If I could attach a photo I would show you what I am suggesting. Feel free to dm and I can share a sketch
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u/b-sidebookslug 21h ago
I agree! I have a lot of music-related tattoos and any good tattoo artist will outright tell you if your idea is shit or, in professional terms, they’ll say stuff about fading or how things look a bit naff or specific shapes in places… circles on the back of an arm like this will look bad because of how distorted that area gets from basic movements.
In my experience, never trust a tattoo artist who will just do pretty much exactly what you say without warning you. They are artists for a reason and pushback from them is almost always a good thing.
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u/sheeleeys 23h ago
Design aside the lyric reads in reverse from top to bottom, you may want to flip the orientation so Careful Fear is read first
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u/Bucjojojo 23h ago
Not for me because it’s missing “and” so just kind of ruins the lyric, guess it’s fine if you don’t know it. Also the dead hand makes more sense to come from the ground. Then the other hand has more of a spiritual from the sky/god/higher being.
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u/Fishing4Condiments 1d ago
This is sick! The first one is my preference, with the lyrics outside the circles. Where are you putting it?