467 replies to this topic

[queasy]

On Spike -- 10 tattoo artists in your typical reality competition format. If you don't like Dave Navarro or Chris Nunez you might want to give it a pass since they're two of the judges.

http://www.spike.com/shows/ink-master/

I enjoyed the first episode, and learned something about bad tattoos. The poor "canvases" (as the clients are called), though! I didn't realize a couple of the tattoos were as sucky as they were until the judges pointed out all the crappiness. One contestant even had his canvas wince, shout, sob, and walk away.

[dirtybubble]

I'm a fan of tattoos (I have a few myself) so I thought I would give this show a try. Meh its ok so far. No stand out favorites but I do kinda like the guy who lets his clients lay down when doing a tat. I believe he won the challenge as well.

As far as the lady who couldn't handle the pain of her tat--I have one on my back as well and it took 2 hours to do. I can say it wasn't the most pleasant feeling in the world and I had to sit in a position similar to hers. After awhile it became very uncomfortable and I couldn't imagine having to go 6 hours (!!)

But OTOH she has had a back tat before so she should have known the pain involved and should have been better prepaired but IDK, I kinda hold fault with the artist and the client on this. 6 hours though holy crap thats a long time! I realize it includes breaks on the client and artist but good grief--6 HOURS?!

[thewhiteowl]

I liked it. Not exactly trailblazingly original in format but I like tattoos and I like Navarro and Nunez so I will give it a shot. Some of the artwork was really good.

The "canvas" who left? Bad situation, I thought the guy who did that should have with the guy who got booted because he has no clue that he is tattooing actual humans.

There is always a guy who thinks he can win by being an asshole and not having the talent to back it up makes that strategy really risky. "Infection" or whateverhisname is, has volunteered for this role.

I don't think the blonde is long for the competition. She mentions how tough it is a male dominated profession and proceeds to whine her way thru the rest of the show. Whining is not going to help her succeed, there.

[Isuzu]

I enjoyed the first episode as well. The personalities of the contestants seemed well balanced, and the editing wasn't too obvious. The editing seemed to point sooo much towards one of the two women getting the boot first that I was genuinely surprised once none of them made it to the bottom. Once the B2 was revealed though, it was obvious who they were gonna send home. Brian "B-Tat" seemed like a very nice man, but also very boring. That is the worst crime one can make in a real tv competition.

I feel as if Al is trying to be the loveable obnoxious asshole. Frankly, he didn't bother me too much. He stays on this side of fun for the moment, it remains to be seen if he'll veer into more annoying territories in the future episodes.

I enjoyed the challenges. They seemed both relevant and appropriate, as well as real life challenges one tattoo artist might face (drawing a skull and cover up a tattoo). Some of them even said that they trained on pigs during their studies (which of course threw the self thaught, but what can you do). The only thing was the cold, but it's not too out there either.

I also loved that the judges stayed with the contestants, observing, during the whole process. It's something I sometimes wish the judges in say, Top Chef or Project Runway would do. In France for instance, the judges watch on video everything as it happens and might intervene if there are screw ups. They seemed to be too critical, but I liked that everyone took it in stride. That being said, I feel as if they were sometimes grasping at straws: the sketch Heather made was exactly how it turned out and was a priori agreed upon by her client. The judges may not have liked it, but it is what it is, and if the client didn't mind a jawless, earless Liberty Statue, then so be it. It seemed to turn out how she wanted it to be. The lines on the lion were a bit less excusable, and they specifically said it didn't look like the drawing, but the way they were saying it, you'd think it was an utter trainwreck when it was still adequately done, just not on par with the others.

Finally, I don't know what to make of Jeremy. Her client seemed a bit thin skinned, what with the wailing, but the fact that he argued for his comfort above hers was very weird. I loved the judge who pointed out that he and the other one were hunched because of their dedication to their work. It's not that I think he should destroy his back, but his technique clearly wasn't working.

Finally, I'm a bit worried about the fact that those tattoos are permanent. It's very different than hair cutting, if the artist misses, some poor guy/girl life will be frankly affected. Sure, they get free tattoos, but still.

[Quilt Fairy]

I don't normally watch Spike, but they were advertising this show a lot on Discovery and it looked interesting, so I thought I'd give it a try, even though (full disclosure) I have no tattoos myself.

I though the challenge was interesting and realistic. Certainly people come in to have bad tattoos 'fixed'. But holy cow, I never thought that fixing them would involved tattooing something 10 times big and brighter over it! That woman who had some kind of black symbol on the back of her neck (that wasn't all that big, imo) ended up with this enormous colored eye with flames going up over her shoulders and down her back. Oh, Yuck. Don't you think she's going to regret that one at some point, too?

As for the screamer, I think there are a few discreet places for a woman to have a tattoo, and across her back ain't one of them. Now she wants to wear a wedding gown that's going to show off her back and she's got this tattoo on it. And she's crying about it before he starts. Bad set up. All that being said, her tattoo was not that dark. I thought he would try to fix it by adding a row of feathers to the droopy side to even the thing out. I did NOT think he was going to tattoo something 10 times darker across it. Like that is going to look good walking down the aisle! Heaven knows what she's going to do now. Walk into another tattoo parlor and ask them to fix the new mess?

I always love it when they give a setup like '10 of the world's greatest tattoo artists are here to compete' and then it looks like a few of them are barely competent, and it doesn't sound as if any of them are well-known.

And as for 'Al Flection', was he trying for a take on 'affliction'? If so, he's off the mark. And yeah, he's the token @$$hole.

[michkabibbles]

I enjoyed this show more than I thought I would. I'm a fan of Chris Nunez, though, so I might not have tuned in if it wasn't for him. I actually liked the drawing of the new back tattoo, and think it was a good idea for covering such a big tattoo. It makes it more modern, and less generic. I hope/ wonder if the show finished the tattoo for her?

The woman with the small tattoo on the back of her neck-that was a juggalo mark. I can see why she'd want to cover it up. The new tattoo was huge, but it was beautiful, and beautifully done. Very striking.

[queasy]

I didn't think it was fair of the judges to rag on the quickfire (heh-whatever they called it) winner because he got first dibs on the clients and choose the easiest tattoo to cover up. What did they expect!?

Was "raw talent" the theme of this episode, or something? The judges keping repeating it as if it meant something to us.

It was a little odd that the artists finished their work, then left for some unknown period of time, then came back for judging. I suppose the crew needs time to take the photographs and whatnot.

I hope the client who ended up overly orange-y got his tat finished at some point, too.

Edited by queasy, Jan 18, 2012 @ 1:25 PM.

[Pj3422]

Not a tattoo fan, but this was entertaining; I'll keep watching. That Statue of Liberty tat was messed up -- she looked like she had the mumps or a goiter.

[arc918]

I'm an ink free reality junkie and I liked the show.

I kept hoping they would bring the canvases back to have their ink fixed up after the end of challenge.

As for the girl who couldn't take the pain and left, we have no clue whether or not she would have had a better result in another position. But he certainly should have tried.

[dirtybubble]

Was "raw talent" the theme of this episode, or something? The judges keping repeating it as if it meant something to us.

I was wondering that as well. I know most tat artist learn from another but i think you have to have a general talent to draw or something like that to be a certified tat artist. Or maybe they just like using the word raw--sounds more manly and butch to them, who knows.

And as for 'Al Flection', was he trying for a take on 'affliction'? If so, he's off the mark. And yeah, he's the token @$$hole.

This guy is a carbon copy of every reality tv villian out there. The moment the words "I'm not here to make friends" flew out of his yap I knew this guy was a tool. (and it was said within the first 5 mins of the show) His skull tat on the pig carcass was kinda cool and unique but his cover up tat was kinda meh.

Finally, I'm a bit worried about the fact that those tattoos are permanent. It's very different than hair cutting, if the artist misses, some poor guy/girl life will be frankly affected. Sure, they get free tattoos, but still.

True, true! I wouldn't mind getting a small little something for free on a reality tv show but alot of these tats are HUGE and the ones that screwed up, well thats permanet. I just hope the Spike pays to have them redone or covered up if the client is happy.

Edited by dirtybubble, Jan 18, 2012 @ 4:45 PM.

[Isuzu]

I didn't think it was fair of the judges to rag on the quickfire (heh-whatever they called it) winner because he got first dibs on the clients and choose the easiest tattoo to cover up. What did they expect!?

They didn't really rag on him. They told him that what he did was very good but that he failed to wow them with his skills because his was so easy. If I were him, I'd have chosen the green serpent or the military man tattoo: slightly bigger but faded, in order to show off my skills.

What I found ridiculous was when Al said the same thing, that he would have chosen one of the biggest tattoos to show off his skills. And he said it AFTER he got saddled with one of the big tattoo (it was shown before but taped after). All th ebetter to appear better than the other guy.

[Mita_Jo]

So excited about this show because I love Chris Nunez from his Miami Ink days, love Dave Navarro just because. Kat Von D's ex-husband Oliver is the other judge, which is also pretty cool. I can't stand her and always thought he was a little too good for her.

I always love it when they give a setup like '10 of the world's greatest tattoo artists are here to compete' and then it looks like a few of them are barely competent, and it doesn't sound as if any of them are well-known.

And this is why I don't think I could ever be a 'client' on this type of show. I wonder if they pay them to be on this show. There has to be an incentive other than a free tattoo. I know these are supposed to be professional tattoo artists, but the competition factor of it would freak me out.

[Pythonite]

I'm thrilled to see Dave Navarro back on TV. He's such a natural at these things.
Nothing ground breaking about the format, but the personalities carry it.

[BDArizona]

I'm thrilled to see Dave Navarro back on TV

Indeed. I loved him as the Pocket Prince of Darkness on Rockstar.

Sadly, I missed the original airing, as well as the re-airs on both Spike and VH1. I looked for it OnDemand, but it's not one of the shows listed for Spike. Bummer.

[Haveahabit]

The first episode is being re-run tonight at 9 (EST) right before the second installment.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show. Finally, it appears there's a tattoo show that's primarily about . . . tattoos. I especially liked the judges' specific criticisms as to line, proportion, details, etc. I'll be back for the head tattoo fest tonight.

I regret to observe that it looks like Oliver is aging better than Chris.

[BDArizona]

Finally got to see both episodes. It's a good show, but that Al fucker needs to go. He's a stereotypical reality TV "villain," and I hate him. Just be gone with your loudmouthed ass.

I really disliked how one of the judges referred to the female artists as "the girls." They have fucking names. If you can remember the names of all the males, you can sure as hell remember the names of the two females.

Jeremy should have gone in the first episode, so it was very deserving that he left this time. Although, I will agree with him on one thing: I hate tribal. It reminds me of frat boys trying to look hard. The Celtic stuff is the least objectionable, but I just don't care for that style at all.

I can't believe someone tried to do an entire head tattoo--tribal, no less--in 5 freaking hours. There's nothing there to act as a cushion. It's needle on bone. Bad move.

Worse move? Thinking you should get a tattoo on broken skin. I couldn't believe when the psoriasis guy showed how badly his skin was inflamed. My husband came down with MRSA after a tattoo, and ended up in the hospital for a week. You don't want to do anything that is going to increase the risk of infection. That guy didn't have just a little breakout; he was in bad shape. Didn't they check the canvasses first?

The one thing I don't really care for about the show is the time limit. They have just been too short for the amount of work being done--especially the cover-up pieces in the first episode. Even if a tattoo only takes six hours of actual work, it's usually spaced out over a longer period of time. At least, all the decent tattoo artists I know do it that way. I can't imagine being one of the canvasses.


So far, I'm not impressed by any of these people. I wouldn't let a single one of them put a tattoo on me.

Edited by BDArizona, Jan 25, 2012 @ 2:13 AM.

[Jess22]

This show is making me realize how crappy my tattoo is.

[BDArizona]

The critiques do make you look at tattoos differently, don't they? I've seen a lot of people with shaky lines on their tattoos.

[Bungalow Joy]

That poor guy probably didn't himself think anything of having a lion sniffing his armpit. Now he needs a pit gazelle for it to make sense. Painful!

[Spooneroonie]

That guy didn't have just a little breakout; he was in bad shape. Didn't they check the canvasses first?

Eh, I was kinda thinking he was a plant so that they'd have an excuse for Ton Jones to get inked. Then again, I might just watch too much reality tv.

[WileyCoyote]

After watching a few eps... I question both the judgement, AND the morality, of anyone involved in this show.

Inking yourself is fine if its what you want. The pain, the blood, even the inherent RISK doesn't make me judge it.

But a show based on RUSHING the job? That's wrong on every level. Taking the inherent risks (both medical ones and "artistic" ones) and boosting them incredibly... Insane. Just insane. And scummy.

The cherry on top is the obvious "dramatic" casting on top of this already irresponsible load of crap. Like with "Top Shot", its clear they didn't look very hard for decent female contestants--maybe the producers are hoping to prove out some of their own biases by casting women who are weaklings, and idiots. But even beyond that... they've cast some truly unpleasant people overall. Now maybe that COULD be realistic based on the available "talent pool"--I don't see Tattoo artists as very warm and fuzzy. But several of them just seem like major poseurs.

I really disliked how one of the judges referred to the female artists as "the girls." They have fucking names. If you can remember the names of all the males, you can sure as hell remember the names of the two females.

I'd be far more outraged about that, if the show hadn't also gone out if its way to cast dimwits and incompetents for the "role" of "the girls". Heather is just... annoying. Lea seems like an okay person, but is weak and not very good at what she does. They're just a mess.

That makes me less defensive on their behalf... but also even ANGRIER at the producers/casting directors than at the judge (who admittedly still comes off as a bit slimy).

Finally got to see both episodes. It's a good show, but that Al fucker needs to go. He's a stereotypical reality TV "villain," and I hate him.

Actually I don't see him as a stereotypical reality TV "villain". I think I see him as a REAL one. The guy clearly has very real anger issues. If I was in the house with him, I'd be a bit scared he might flip out at some point and hurt someone.

Edited by WileyCoyote, Jan 25, 2012 @ 10:05 PM.

[BDArizona]

Eh, I was kinda thinking he was a plant so that they'd have an excuse for Ton Jones to get inked. Then again, I might just watch too much reality tv.

I had that suspicion, and thought I was being cynical. Maybe I wasn't.

I'd be far more outraged about that, if the show hadn't also gone out if its way to cast dimwits and incompetents for the "role" of "the girls". Heather is just... annoying. Lea seems like an okay person, but is weak and not very good at what she does. They're just a mess.

That makes me less defensive on their behalf... but also even ANGRIER at the producers/casting directors than at the judge (who admittedly still comes off as a bit slimy).

Oh, don't get me wrong: I find them both annoying, and I hate that they didn't cast good female artists. My problem is that even the most useless of the male artists are recognized as individuals and referred to as such. They can suck as much as individuals as they do as interchangeable "girls." Hey, they might each suck in a different way.

Now maybe that COULD be realistic based on the available "talent pool"--I don't see Tattoo artists as very warm and fuzzy. But several of them just seem like major poseurs.

They do seem like poseurs. As for temperament, I imagine there's as much variance among tattoo artists as any other occupation. I know quite a few. Most of them are fairly laid-back, cool people. That's why Al pisses me off all the more. Although, I will say that in the circles they tend to run in, tattoo artists can get fairly arrogant because they are seen as true artists, and that can go to their heads.

Edited by BDArizona, Jan 25, 2012 @ 11:35 PM.

[thewhiteowl]

I think the skin guy was a plant to if the artist would speak up or try to give a tattoo to the poor guy. Ton was a good sport. Heather's tattoo was gorgeous I sure hope it gives her confidence a boost and she can give the whining a rest, it's already old.

I don't think it should be an automatic boot for not finishing but there should be a penalty, maybe time deducted from the next? So they can learn to produce within the time allotted?

Al is definitely afflickted with more ego than talent. And a huge dose of assholery. Jake from Top Shot with a chin braid. Poseur.

[Isuzu]

I like this show a lot! It's funny, because I watch a lot of reality show geared towards women and gays (ANTM, Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag Race) so it's really fun to watch one geared towards MEN. Heh. Really different mood and feeling I think.

One thing I really enjoy is that the challenges are real things tattoo artists are supposed to know how to do and would do in real life. Nothing against the weird challenges on other shows but it's refreshing once in a while. And they do manage to have their out-there challenges in the quickfire, so it's good.

What is wrong with Jeremy? Seriously! I get that he's good at his new school thing, but didn't he think when he signed up for the show that he'd have to do somethign else? He's delusional if that's the case. And why the constant whining? He whined more than Heather who's edited that way!! What's his excuse? Also, standing in front of the judges and say you'll only manage crap as long as it's not your style was the perfect way to be booted, idiot.

As assy as Al is, I have to say, I find very hard to disagree with most of what he says. The others really do need to quit the whining. And I'm sorry but the thing with the Lion is bullshit. If Al is right and it's done in the polynesian culture (from which his canvas appears to aim) and/or his client requested it or was happy with it, who are the judges to disagree? It's similar to Heather's Liberty statue last week: it was her design exactly, agreed by her client. The judges should only judge on technical qualities because otherwise, it's taste and the client trumps the judge in that matter I feel.

Bily bit off more than he could chew, but on the other hand, the client just has to go in another tattoo parlor and fill out the shapes with pitch black. Most of the tattoo is done and it looked good. It's different from last week's girl who's just screwed.

I feel the judges are somewhat unfair sometimes. Of course when you'll do a super CSI zoom on lines, you'll see the impefections. I mean, if I zoom on a line on my computer, I'll see the pixels. Notice how they don't do it for the tattoos they consider good? Léa's had problems, but the shakiness of her lines wasn't one. Seen at a normal distance, it seemed good to me (the symmetry problems were bad though).

Eh, I was kinda thinking he was a plant so that they'd have an excuse for Ton Jones to get inked. Then again, I might just watch too much reality tv.

This. I mean come on. They don't have back-ups? And they have that dude from another Spike show who just happens to have a designated spot and a design in mind? Ok then. Not a problem really, but contrived as hell.

After watching a few eps... I question both the judgement, AND the morality, of anyone involved in this show.

I like the show, but couldn't agree more. I really feel that with this show we're inching towards much more dangerous or immoral things in the future.

Edited by Isuzu, Jan 26, 2012 @ 1:50 PM.

[54321Blastoff]

I caught the first 2 episodes of this show back to back on Tuesday and I'm shocked that I am really loving it. I haven't ever had any interest in tattoos, would never get a tattoo myself yet I am essentially hooked on Ink Master. My main gripe with the format is the fact that every main challenge so far (albeit just 2) has been simply put, unfair as far as the size of tattoo that the client wants in the set amount of time. The client/contestant duos are chosen at random but at the end of the day, the client pool consists of people wanting all different size tattoos on different areas of the body and since there IS a time limit in the mix, it's just not a fair competition. In the last episode, it was stupid for the earlier challenge winner who had first pick to choose the head tattoo but at the end of the day, someone was going to have to get that tattoo and even when pushed to go with half a head or something smaller, the client wanted his whole head done which again, someone was going to have to get in the end. I'd imagine that the people behind the show ask the perspective clients what type of tattoos they want in advance which is how they knew that they all wanted Tribal yet then they have a man who wants his entire head tattooed in 6 hours in the same client group as someone who wants something on his arm. In the first big challenge where they had to do cover ups, some people had small little tattoos the mask while others had huge color pieces. It makes for unfair challenges and if this continues, I can see it bothering me more and more each week.

As far as the morality of the people behind the show, I question more the actual people who sign up to be clients. Are tattoos that much money that it's advantageous to get what I am assuming is a free tattoo by an artist who you don't know in a high pressure, rushed atmosphere? The show isn't forcing anyone to get a tattoo, these people are volunteering so I don't have any issues as far as that is concerned.

Out of all the contestants, I can't stand Heather the most. Al is most definitely annoying but Heather's defensiveness and attitude with the judges as well as her inability to handle criticism makes her extremely unlikable. She's most definitely my least favorite.

Edited by 54321Blastoff, Jan 26, 2012 @ 12:15 PM.

[annetteFHorn]

dirtybubble wrote:

I wouldn't mind getting a small little something for free on a reality tv show but alot of these tats are HUGE and the ones that screwed up, well thats permanet. I just hope the Spike pays to have them redone or covered up if the client is happy.

I was thinking along the same lines (ahem): please, please tell me that these brave folks are allowed to at least have the tats finished.

Other than the required reality show bs (designated jerk, people cast more for eye candy than for actual skill, the "surprise" that the one canvas had psoriasis), I'm really enjoying this. I like Dave N., I like tattooing and art in general, and I like the format.

I have 3 tats and this show is giving me a better appreciation for my artist! I already knew I was happy with the results, but last night I looked at them more closely than I had in awhile, and the lines, shading, placement, and color are all gorgeous.

[BDArizona]

But a show based on RUSHING the job? That's wrong on every level. Taking the inherent risks (both medical ones and "artistic" ones) and boosting them incredibly... Insane. Just insane. And scummy.

This is my biggest problem with the show. I don't think the inherent medical risks are any greater for doing it quickly, but the artistic ones definitely are. Doing a lot of work in one sitting usually results in work that doesn't look as good, but it's not any more dangerous than spacing it out. The healing time between sessions is because that's what should be done if you want the tat to look good for a long time. It's also done because most people get to a point where they seriously need a break from the pain.

The guy passing out had more to do with pain tolerance than anything. That's not putting him down, because getting a tattoo is painful. When you choose to do it on your skull or other bony area, you're probably going to have even more pain. Lots of people get light-headed from pain, especially that kind of pain. I do think they should be more selective about where the tattoo is being placed if they're going to give them short time frames in which to work, though.

The medical risks of tattooing exist whether you sit for an hour or you sit for six hours. You're breaking the skin. That's dangerous. That's how my husband ended up with MRSA. The artist was very professional, and everything was clean. The problem is that lots of people are walking around with bacteria on their skin. After the tattoo session, during the time they are healing, they will come into contact with more bacteria, because other people you come into contact will have bacteria on their skin. A tattoo is providing a rather large inroad into the body for those microbes. The risk of infection is inherent in all tattooing.

I know most tat artist learn from another but i think you have to have a general talent to draw or something like that to be a certified tat artist.

Certification of tat artists is hit-or-miss. Most artists don't have any kind of official certification. Many states don't regulate tattoo shops in any way. There's nothing to it beyond getting a standard business license. Of all the artists I know, all of them simply worked as apprentices under another artist as their training. To get a job at a new shop, they just take their books in and show some of their previous work. That's essentially all there is to it where I live. It's kind of weird when you consider that cosmetologists have to be licensed, and what they're doing is much less risky.

Edited by BDArizona, Jan 26, 2012 @ 5:56 PM.

[thewhiteowl]

There has to be a time limit, I think. I also think that an experienced tattoo artist would have some idea of what he/she can do in that amount of time and make it look good. If they don't, I wouldn't want them to work on me, that's for sure. I would have liked to see Bili Vegas tell the head guy "Hey, I see what you want but it's not reasonable to do all that in 6 hours and make it rock. Would you consider a smaller tat that looks great?" I mean Bili was questioning all the canvases, he should have asked. I also think an experienced tattoo artist would know that certain areas of the body are more painful than others to tat. IMO

[WileyCoyote]

I don't think the inherent medical risks are any greater for doing it quickly

Sure there are. We saw an example right in the 2nd episode, with the guy with the head tattoo. He SPECIFICALLY had vision blurring and MUCH greater pain because of the speed of the job.

I'm no expert on the process, or a dermatologist, but several other concerns are just logical ones from rushing.

Edited by WileyCoyote, Jan 27, 2012 @ 12:54 AM.

[BDArizona]

There has to be a time limit, I think. I also think that an experienced tattoo artist would have some idea of what he/she can do in that amount of time and make it look good. If they don't, I wouldn't want them to work on me, that's for sure. I would have liked to see Bili Vegas tell the head guy "Hey, I see what you want but it's not reasonable to do all that in 6 hours and make it rock. Would you consider a smaller tat that looks great?"

I completely agree. That was one of the biggest problems I had with the cover-up challenge. The size of the new tattoo was largely influenced by the tat being covered. The canvasses with huge tattoos were going to need even larger cover-up work. With the new tattoo they were doing this episode, that shouldn't have been a problem. A really cool tattoo doesn't have to be big. It's not uncommon for someone get a tattoo he likes, then get more work done on it years later. That's how a lot of people end up with a full back piece or full sleeves. It's often a matter of a lot of smaller pieces done over an extended period of time, rather than one huge piece done all at once. This show doesn't take that path, which is too bad. You can do something that looks complete right now, but can also be added to later.