cowboy bebop tattoo

Hey I'm thinking about getting a cowboy bebop tattoo, probably on my shoulder. I want a sweet design of Spike, and dug up some nice pictures and would like some feedback/advice. I like the black and white one on the first link, but after looking through some fortfolios on the internet, maybe a more cool detailed one could be possible - like combining the black and white one with a different pose from the other ones. Cool? Stupid? let me know, i don't want to get laughed at and have people throw stuff at me. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006JJ4L.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg http://www.rightstuf.com/images/large_images/ge1887.jpg http://homepage.mac.com/jubei1/cowbe/spike/guncig3.jpg http://katakirei.com/jazz/gallery/spike/sp19.jpg

I would find a fantastic color artist to do something with the last image. That cityscape would make for a great background. You need to find the best color artist in yer area, though. Where abouts are you located?

I live in the twin cities area in minnesota, i would assume there would be places in Minneapolis or st. paul... Some buddies that i work with have tattoos up their arms and go to a place in Stillwater called Zap or Zaps or something like that. Hey, would it be ok to bring in that picture and have them make a sketch and then see if you like it or not? would that be rude? thanks

I would find Tom Storm, hes fantastic at anime tattoos and would rock out the tattoo. Yes, having a tattoo artist (or any artist) draw up a tattoo before you want it is rude. Tom *can* draw and tattoo something you will be psyked with, though, no doubt. But you should deceide you want the tattoo before having someone draw it.

Having a tattoo artist draw up a tattoo beforehand is NOT rude. I work in a tattoo shop and it's part of our job to make sure you are going to like the piece before it gets PERMANENTLY put on your body. Tattoos are about you, and only you. You're paying to have a work of art put on your body for the rest of your life. Have them draw it for you. AND ask for a portfolio. Make sure you're getting the best work possible for your money. As aforementioned, this is about you and your body.

I believe Gabe was saying it wouldn't be proper to expect an artist to draw up a design if you weren't sure you were going to get tattooed at all. Of course the artist would draw the design and make sure the customer was happy with it before he did the tattoo, but to go in and ask him to draw it with no intent of getting it tattooed is wrong.