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Reinventing The Tattoo - Guy Aitchison, *Review* |
 May 27 2008, 03:44 PM
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#1
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Reinventing the Tattoo - Guy Aitchison
I bought this book not so long ago and it has helped me a great deal. Just thought I'd provide a summary of the information this book provides and a physical description of the book. The book arrived in a package along with the book "Organica" and I was expecting a hard cover, binded book. It is actually presented in a 2 ring binder folder providing the ability to add extra chapters in the future. Inside the front cover is a serial number that is used to access the Hyperspace forum which Guy is active from time to time. The pages aren't very secure in the folder and the page binder holes need reinforcing. The front page is signed and dated by Guy. The main downfall is the content is all black and white, with a small colour section in the back of the book. Throughout various chapters Guy makes reference to these pictures and you have to keep flicking to the back of the book to view the colour picture. Part 1 is entitled "A History Of Change" and in this chapter Guy discusses the changes in tattooing including designs, styles, machines and pigments. A review of each chapter is also discussed. Part 2 is all about design. This chapter covers flow & fit, pos/neg relationships, contrast, priority, reserve, lines and edges, depth and lighting & luminosity. Great information about subjects such as warm and cool, dark and light, focus and out-of-focus, smooth and rough, flow and anti-flow. Lining is also discussed, line weight and building up lines, grey lining, blood lining, lining in colour. Part 3 discusses working in a second artistic medium. He describes a number of mediums and compare them with the technical aspects of tattooing. Also has a brief oil painting tutorial. Part 4 talks about using reference pictures. Guy tells how to find the appropriate reference, how to photograph it and prepare it for tattooing or painting. Part 5 is called "The Digital Tattoo" and provides information on using Photoshop in the design process. Part 6 contains tattooing techniques. Great information on design transfer (stencil and freehand), needle groups, machine setup, rubber bands, the stretch, tightening and softening and comfort pointers (numbing gels etc). Part 7 Processes. Shows a number of pieces in progress at various stages. Talks about each stage and how he accomplished it, using which materials and techniques. Projects include a black & grey design, simple colour piece, the seahorse, a complex scene: the sandbox, a complex abstract tattoo and a mental checklist. Part 8 FAQ section answering questions about photos, pigments, needle groups, needle depth, fading colour, healing, sensitive areas, working with white and grey washes. Appendix A goes through brand names of machines, tubes, needles and pigments, plus some book references. Appendix B Shading a faceted object. describes how to shade various faceted objects, creating a convincing illusion of light and shadow. Appendix C Creating a Geometric Mandala. Appendix D Music recommendations Appendix E Colour Illustrations Overall I recommend this book to anyone wishing to expand their knowledge in tattooing. The small issues I mentioned at the beginning of this post is quickly forgotten once you start reading and losing yourself in the content. The book is expensive but IMO worth every cent considering Guy is providing heaps of great information that may have taken him years to learn/aquire. You can buy "Reinventing the Tattoo" here... https://www.hyperspacestudios.com This post has been edited by night0wl: May 27 2008, 03:47 PM -------------------- "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
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May 27 2008, 06:06 PM
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#2
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i have to agree, this is a great book!
-------------------- im pretty much done on this forum, you can reach me thru my website
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May 27 2008, 06:12 PM
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#3
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Thanks, I had wondered about the nuts and bolts of this book!
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May 28 2008, 01:02 AM
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#4
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The nuts & bolts of this book are solid gold.
And just as valuable. -------------------- "Giger, you see more than we domesticated primates."
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May 28 2008, 10:58 PM
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#5
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I'll add to that, for £65 delivered to the UK this books is a must-have for reference, inspiration, tips on photoshop and taking pics....the whole caboodle.
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Jun 17 2008, 05:31 AM
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#6
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Thanks alot for the review! I“ve been thinking about getting it but wasn“t sure couse of the price. But now im pretty sure im gonna get it. Thanks again
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Jun 29 2008, 06:26 PM
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#7
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I did find this one a very interesting read, though a bit superfluous. one of the guys at a shop I used to go to had it, I thought he had ripped a copy of it and printed it up at kinkos, but thats actually how the book is produced. some of the content in it is great, however for the price I expected a bit higher quality on the actual production of the book. a nice quality hardcover edition would look pretty slick, its really become one of those must read books out there that everyone should at least check out if you get the chance.
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| Guest_bulldog joe_* |
Jun 30 2008, 07:09 AM
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#8
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fantastic book !!!
a must read for any artist lots of good stuff highly recommended |
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Aug 12 2008, 12:02 PM
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#9
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i spent about 3 hours puting each page into plastic pockets when i got mine
 still a good bit of info, wouldnt recommend it for a newbie thou. 
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Aug 13 2008, 12:39 PM
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#10
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QUOTE (nag @ Aug 12 2008, 03:02 PM)  i spent about 3 hours puting each page into plastic pockets when i got mine still a good bit of info, wouldnt recommend it for a newbie thou. ^^ Why not ...do you think it's too much to handle all at once?..Just asking..I have the book myself, I think it's broken down into pretty good lamens terms...I been studying damn near everything about 2 years before I got ahold of that book though so that may have something to do with it 
-------------------- An OFFICIAL Hip Hop head since 1978
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Aug 20 2008, 03:58 PM
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#11
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Very helpful review, nightOwl - thanks!
 I was reading about this book on a few tattoo sites and they say something like "at the request of the author, this book will only be sold to artists working in shops" and that they request a phone number and shop address to verify you're in a shop. Is this true? Also, I'm heading to the USA in a couple of weeks and was wondering if anyone knows of anywhere to buy this book while I'm over there? Or do you have to buy it online thru suppliers? Cheers. |
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Sep 11 2008, 06:11 PM
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#12
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I bought mine directly from Hyperspace Studios, along with Organica. Paid online, no questions asked, received them in about 10 days from the US to Australia.
-------------------- "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
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Sep 18 2008, 07:22 PM
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#13
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Hell, my wife bought it for me at christmas......no questions asked. It is a great reference book
-------------------- Just my 2 cents
Rob |
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Sep 19 2008, 01:51 AM
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#14
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hey good post all. E mailed Mr. A last month and said the approx. release date for the update deluxe verison of the book is mid month jan.
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Sep 19 2008, 03:49 PM
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#15
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Hey Nightowl, how's Organica? Worth the extra $50.00?
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Sep 19 2008, 05:07 PM
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#16
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Yeah I am a big Aitchison fan so for me it was worth the money. Although it has tattoo photos in it, the book mainly consists of pictures of his organic style paintings. If you can appreciate his oil paintings you'll like this book
It is a good quality book to, hard cover and full color gloss pages.
-------------------- "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
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Sep 21 2008, 06:39 AM
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#17
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QUOTE (night0wl @ Sep 19 2008, 05:07 PM) Yeah I am a big Aitchison fan so for me it was worth the money. Although it has tattoo photos in it, the book mainly consists of pictures of his organic style paintings. If you can appreciate his oil paintings you'll like this book It is a good quality book to, hard cover and full color gloss pages.Thanks, I'm a big Aitchison fan also. I can't wait to order my copy
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Sep 21 2008, 07:19 AM
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#18
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"Unlicensed tattooists won't have access to the forum and online features available."
How does this work? |
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Sep 21 2008, 11:29 AM
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#19
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Tiki,
When you get the book it will have a license # inside the book that you have to enter in at the website to get into the forum.....and btw his forum is pretty good. 
-------------------- Just my 2 cents
Rob |
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Sep 21 2008, 12:05 PM
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#20
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ditto poconosrob, the forum is a bit slow moving these days but definitely worth getting into
I also have the book "scratch art" which has some cool designs in it from the likes of Nikko Hurtado, Mike Devries, Guy Aitchison, Jack Rudy, Filip Leu, Bob Tyrrell, Joe Capobianco, Nate Beavers, Just to name a couple of the stack of artists that contributed to the book.
-------------------- "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
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