Chapter 8: The Vibrancy of Color Packing
Color Packing: The cornerstone of vivid, captivating tattoos.
Challenges: Preventing dull, inconsistent outcomes to achieve striking saturation and longevity.
In This Chapter:
⦁ Color Packing Techniques: Dive into the fundamental techniques every artist must master for effective color packing.
⦁ Seamless Blends: Discover the art of flawless color transitions and how to harmonize tattoo colors with skin tones.
⦁ Vibrancy Retention: Uncover the secrets to maintaining the vibrancy and richness of your colors over time.
⦁ Needle Selection: Guidance on choosing the right needles to achieve the desired color packing effects.
⦁ Aftercare Impact: Learn the crucial role of aftercare in color preservation and how to instruct your clients effectively.
Objective:
This chapter is dedicated to honing your color packing prowess, ensuring your tattoos are imbued with vibrancy and depth. From mastering foundational techniques to preserving color quality, you'll acquire the expertise necessary to infuse each piece of art with enduring brilliance and color fidelity.
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MATERIALS
We’ll be using the sample rose tattoo below to talk about packing color. However, the
principles we talk about in this chapter can be applied to any tattoo design.
Machine, Needles, and Inks
I. Setting Up Your Machine for Color Packing:
A. Recommended Settings:
⦁ 1. Stroke: Set to 4mm.
⦁ 2. Voltage: Keep it lower.
B. Needle Visibility:
⦁ 1. Floating Technique: Increases visibility during color packing.
C. Cautionary Note:
⦁ 1. High Voltage Misconception: Avoid high volts; risks overworking the skin.
II. Needle Selection for Effective Color Packing:
A. Needle Type:
⦁ 1. Standard Needles: Use 12-gauge for packing ink.
B. Mag Preference:
⦁ 1. Straight Mags: Preferred over curved mags for broader coverage.
C. Special Cases:
⦁ 1. White Highlights: Utilize a 7 Round Shader.
III. Insightful Ink Choices:
A. Color Variance:
⦁ 1. Design-Dependent: Ink colors will vary based on the design.
B. Specific Ink Recommendations:
⦁ Foundation Flesh:
⦁ - Closest to skin tone.
⦁ - Ideal for blending whipped colors without a washed-out look.
⦁ Power Black (by Fusion):
⦁ - Distinct from lining black.
⦁ - Suitable for shading, not lining, due to expansion over time.
C. Important Note on Black Ink:
⦁ 1. Expansion Characteristic:
⦁ - Fills tiny gaps over time.
⦁ - Not a comprehensive solution for shading issues.
⦁ - Useful for minor imperfections.
Warm-Up Exercises for Effective Tattooing
I. Packing Technique:
A. Method:
⦁ 1. Tight Oval Formations: Essential for effective ink packing.
B. Common Mistakes:
⦁ 1. Loose Movements: Result in only a tint of color.
⦁ 2. Side-to-Side Motions: Can slice the skin due to needle alignment.
C. Recommended Motion:
⦁ 1. Diagonal Up and Down: Ensures solid fill without damaging the skin.
II. Crosshatching Technique:
A. Method:
⦁ 1. Consistent Directional Movement: Move up and to the right consistently.
⦁ 2. Change of Direction: Alternate direction for comprehensive coverage.
B. Benefits:
⦁ 1. Fills Gaps: Left by needles in standard up-and-down motion.
⦁ 2. More Consistent Fills: Achieved by covering more skin area.
III. Blending to Skin Tone:
A. Whip Shading Technique:
⦁ 1. Initial Step: Whip color out on the edge of the packed area.
⦁ 2. Effect: Easier blending to another color with more whipped-out area.
B. Removing Excess Ink:
⦁ 1. Pinch Needles: Use a paper towel after whipping out the color.
⦁ 2. Dip in Foundation Flesh: Observe the color mixing.
⦁ 3. Repeat: Pinch and dip until the desired blend is achieved.
C. Achieving the Perfect Blend:
⦁ 1. Visual Change: From original color to a very light variant (e.g., red to light red/pink).
⦁ 2. Closer to Skin Tone: Continuous mixing with Foundation Flesh.
⦁ 3. Final Result: Cream color that blends perfectly to skin tone on application.
A. Blending with Water:
⦁ 1. Common Beginner's Mistake: Using distilled water to dilute colors.
⦁ 2. Misconception: Belief that flicking diluted color creates a smooth blend.
3. Effective Methods:
⦁ a. Whip Shading: Achieves a traditional, peppery look.
⦁ b. Foundation Flesh: Ensures a perfect transition to skin.
B. Blending Color Combinations:
1. Process: Similar regardless of color combinations (e.g., red to yellow, red to purple).
2. Steps:
⦁ a. Solid Color Packing: Begin with a solid base (e.g., red).
⦁ b. Whip Shading: Create an area of "50% opacity."
⦁ c. Layering: Apply a second color over the whipped area for a combined color effect.
C. Layering Colors:
1. Technique: Apply a darker color first, then a lighter color.
2. Considerations:
⦁ a. Healing Factor: Darker colors show through lighter ones upon healing.
⦁ b. Fresh Tattoos: Lighter colors can cover darker ones initially but not after healing.
3. Application Tips:
⦁ a. Light Brushing: Apply the first colors gently.
⦁ b. Skin Capacity: Understand it's limited; overfilling prevents further color addition.
4. Mixing Colors:
⦁ a. Partial Whip Shading: Fills skin "50% full," allowing for additional color layering.
⦁ b. Result: Two colors mix if the skin isn't fully saturated with the first color.
Tattoo Process Example:
I. Preparation:
⦁ Vaseline Application: Apply a small amount to prevent mag clogging.
II. Black Ink Application:
-Techniques for Natural, Feathered Edges:
⦁ Use the mag's corner for sharpness and feathering.
⦁ Change mag direction for even fading (crosshatching).
⦁ Lightly brush for light fades or transitions.
Usage Reminders:
⦁ Incorporate black for aging well and contrast.
⦁ Avoid excess black to prevent overly dark tattoos.
⦁ Use minimal black, whipped out for subtlety.
Shading Principles:
⦁ Darken elements further from the viewer for depth.
⦁ Utilize crosshatching and light brushing for smooth blends.
Needle Handling:
⦁ Extend needles for visibility and control.
⦁ Set depth manually; pivot machine with fingers, not thumb and forefinger.
III. Color Application:
Choosing the Right Mag:
⦁ Balance size for coverage and precision.
Color Techniques:
Green: Apply over black for a darker hue.
Layering: Light brushing for transitions; consider ink opacity.
Traditional vs. Perfect Blends: Whip out or use Foundation Flesh.
Order: Start with dark colors; avoid color contamination.
Application Tips:
⦁ Dab, don't wipe, to prevent smearing.
⦁ Loosen hand for shading/packing; larger ovals for lighter shades.
⦁ Change paper towels when switching colors.
⦁ Utilize negative space; avoid excessive skin rotation.
⦁ Opt for harder-hitting machines for color packing.
Foundation Flesh Usage:
⦁ Mix for lighter, vibrant colors.
⦁ Separate ink caps for different colors to avoid mixing.
Color Mixing:
⦁ Maintain vibrancy with Foundation Flesh.
⦁ Gradually lighten colors with repeated Foundation Flesh dipping.
Special Considerations:
⦁ Yellow: Requires patience due to bleeding; avoid overworking the skin.
IV. Advanced Techniques:
Protecting Lighter Colors:
⦁ Apply Vaseline over light colors when working with dark ones nearby.
Ink Cap Management:
⦁ Use separate Foundation Flesh caps for each color to prevent tainting.
Color Transitions:
⦁ Pack lighter colors over whipped darker ones for smoothness.
Mix with Foundation Flesh for vibrancy and gradual lightening.
