New Michigan tattoo

Submitted by Meth on

I have always wanted a Michigan tattoo but have never really seen anything that I like, so I came up with this idea.  It is not finished because I have to add the background, blood on the claws and mascot heads, and incorporate the Notre Dame mascot (because most of my friends are Notre Dame fans).  It was done around 2 hours ago so the colors aren't real bright yet.  Also, sorry about the angle, it was the best I could get to show everything (right side looks a little screwy like this).  Let me know what you guys think and any ideas that you may have to finish it.

 

EDIT: for misspelling screwy

 

Stephen Hawking

February 16th, 2012 at 1:26 PM ^

Nah, I don't think the picture makes me fit into that stereotype. Maybe I'm a douchebag, sure, but maybe people on this board are overly sensitive about some things. Nearly everyone on the thread I posted that picture to were in agreement that the thread was terrible. In retrospect it wasn't a great idea to post that image.

Hair Raid Offense

February 16th, 2012 at 1:54 AM ^

That's a pretty badass tattoo man. There comes a point where the creativity of a tat  outweighs the artistic ability of a tat. And this is a perfect example. People may bitch about Wolverines left leg but the Brutus and Sparty heads on the claws?? BADASS

ScruffyTheJanitor

February 16th, 2012 at 5:00 AM ^

What the Ohio Bobcat did to Brutus was "Badass". If he was a poorly designed bobcat sewn by blind thumbless epileptic 7 year olds, it wouldn't have been badass so much as it would be scary and kind of sad. The point is that just because it has Brutus and sparty on the claws does not make up for the fact that it is some pretty terrible artwork. 

manchild56

February 16th, 2012 at 5:25 AM ^

but put the old Leprachon under one of his feet smashing that crap out of the little fellow. Or just standing over him looking down on his kill. Sorry if already posted

ToledoBlue

February 16th, 2012 at 7:27 AM ^

My idea was more in line with the school as opposed to the comic. Something like a calf piece to match the Marine Corps tat on my other calf. Having wolverine claw marks running down and exposing a Block M behind the flesh with Maize and Blue blood dripping down.

   But, having never gone to Michigan I'd feel like a "wal-mart wolverine". So it will always be in the "Idea" phase.

Six Zero

February 16th, 2012 at 8:28 AM ^

I have none and want none.  But I have drawn a few for people in the past, and only the past, as I have since learned to refuse requests to put my artwork on people.

But I will say this:

Tattoos are like houses.  They should be initially designed and created for completion, meaning if you wanted something to look a certain way, hold off and get the initial concept down before committing it to permanency. Most attempts to fix or elaborate this stuff always look post-factory, so to speak, and well, not very good.

If you were building a new home, you wouldn't skimp on costs and floorplan just to get it done quicker, only to build add-ons and extensions to the place later on, would you?

Meth

February 16th, 2012 at 9:32 AM ^

Thanks for the advice.  The sketch was finished but we was not able to finish everything in one session.  There is a risk of scarring if you spend too much time in one area.  After seeing the Nore Dame idea on my arm, I decided to wait to figure out something better.  The original idea was his body parts (arm, leg, tie, and hat) laying around him.  It just looked out of place so I was bouncing around some other ideas.  Everyone keeps talking about his right side looking out of whack.  Again, the angle the picture was taken makes it look off.  In reality, it is not.   His stubby leg is supposed to make him look like he is on an incline.  I have attached the original photo that we started with. 

 

 

Six Zero

February 16th, 2012 at 9:36 AM ^

It's your arm and your money. Forget what any and all of us say and just get what you like.  But if you can, sit down with the artist and make sure it's all understood what you want out of it, and get it all done in one fell swoop. Thing's gonna be there for a reeeel long time.

I will say this, I do like the Brutus head!!

 

Meth

February 16th, 2012 at 10:09 AM ^

I am not offended in any way to the comments.  I really appreciate the constructive and positive comments.  I am not ignorant enough to think I can post something like this on a forum and expect it to be all positive.  If I wanted those type of comments, I would just take my wife's opinion. ha.  I even told her that I wanted to take a different pic with a shirt on because someone would have something to say about that...lol.  It is extremely difficult to find a "different" kind of tattoo involved with Michigan and I hope this may have inspired some ideas for those out there for those that may have always wanted a tattoo but had the same mind set as myself.  After all, I have the creative juices of a pencil.

readyourguard

February 16th, 2012 at 9:01 AM ^

Tough crowd.  But I guess, if you ask for comments you'll get a variety of opinions.

The tat is fine.  If you're going to add things to it, make sure you consult your artist first so you can discuss size and placement.

My only question is:  who the hell picks METH as a screen name?

cozy200

February 16th, 2012 at 9:07 AM ^

Artist did a good job rendering the sketch for sure.  Not something I would personally get, but then again i got one the day i turned 18 and haven't been interested since, so thats me.  Do whatever you want man, people who worry about wal mart wolverines obviously dont see the msu, osu crap right next to ours.  Being a huge comic book nerd in the really early 90's X Men is a classic.  Im more of a victor creed fan, but looks good man

An Angelo's Addict

February 16th, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^

If you want to incorporate ND and you have his claws filled up already have you thought about making a bloody shamrock or ND helmet on the ground in front of him? Sorta like it was just punctured and left for dead. 

Also, don't listen to the people being hard on it. Just make sure you get everything you want, cause that's gona be one big tattoo and will not come off easily

stankoniaks

February 16th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^

That tattoo screams "Walmart Wolverine".  It's your body, so you're obviously entitled to do whatever you want.  But getting a tattoo of a school that you're a fan of is kind of stupid IMO.  I have multiple degrees from UM and I would never get a tattoo of Michigan on my body.  If one of my friends or classmates did, I'd probably make fun of them.

I feel the same about people tattooing their Greek letters and stuff as well.

A tattoo is a permanent reminder of a temporary impulse. 

justingoblue

February 16th, 2012 at 6:43 PM ^

I agree with the guy above that not everything is a temporary impulse. The entire premise of Greek life revolves around lifetime membership, so that would be the furthest from temporary.

I don't have tattoo's yet, but I do plan on getting a fraternity tattoo and also a Marine Corps tattoo, assuming I can complete OCS and get commissioned. I strongly feel that both of those easily pass an "impulse" test, and I'm sure other people have tattoo's more meaningful to them than either I described.

jka347

February 16th, 2012 at 1:01 PM ^

You could always just have more heads laying around his feet with puncture holes.  Maybe just a pile of skulls including all the B1G schools with ND on top or something.

Mr. Brownstone

February 16th, 2012 at 1:16 PM ^

Im assuming since you posted this on a public forum you wanted an honest opinion. WTF is that? Other than the colors what does this have to do with the University of Michigan. It looks like a comic book cartoon on your chicken wing instead of a tattoo that represents what the university should. To each his own I guess, Go Blue!