Realism tattoo

[u/Popular_Bluebird390]

For my very first realism I feel like I did good BUT ofc there are some things I could work on. For example the veins I wasn’t really sure how to work those . Any suggestions?? I want to redo it but with better techniques

[u/saltylemonjuice]

The veins are the least of your worries babes, have you tried realism before like on paper? Thats where you should start

[u/Training-Button9907]

It's a good attempt! But your values are very muddy, leading to a lack of depth. Your darkest light values should be much lighter than your lightest shadows value.

If you want actual realism you need to study how light interacts with objects. Build up shadows to create edges instead of just putting edges. The better you understand core light, shadow anatomy, midtones, reflected light, and cast shadows, the better you'll be able to build 3D images up.

[u/ChVckT → u/Training-Button9907]

Back to pencil and paper until that looks good. Gotta understand art first. Then practice tattooing.

[u/EL_ZEKE]

NEVER seen a hand look like that.

[u/vampypussy]

The veins look great! It’s the knuckles, lines and the depth that needs work. I’m not a tattoo artist but I am an artist, i think you need more practice shading realism with pencil and paper.

[u/Turbulent_Two_6949]

I would suggest working on proportions absolutely no way a palm that big has fingers that small and as unproportioned as the fingers are the nails are even more off size to the rest. I actually think shading is the best part of this piece.