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

Nightowl......where did you pick up that book scratchart?....sounds like a good reference "must have" book.

from the hyperspace site Yeah it has some great reference material in it, although it is only a small book in size, about 6" x 10" I think...

https://www.hyperspacestudios.com/scratch-art.html

Thanks for writing this post, I've been around shops for 10 years and just now making the transition from machinist to tattooing, I even have an apprenticeship offer- 6 hours away in my hometown. Due to the economy, and waiting to see what happens as a result of the election( I'm currently employed by a defense contractor), it will be close to a year before I can even think about moving myself and my wife. So about six months ago, my mentor and I agreed I could start doing simple stuff, assuming I followed BBP procedures, out here to get a feel for it. I've paid for Spaulding's book, The Ultimate Tattoo Bible, about 3 E-books, the list is endless. The point is you're right, all these books are crap, I spend as much time cross checking with my mentor all the shit they recommend. I was very leary to pay 100 bones again for a reference book, but all the reviews have changed my mind, and even got me excited about it. This forum has been a godsend, although I'm constantly running into posts of issues which I already learned the hard way, this place is great, and I only wish I had known about it sooner.

This book differs from everything on the market, because is trying to make the reader thinks with his own head. All other books are more or less instructional.

reading this book opened my eyes to a lot of thing :-) a good reminder of how complex tattooing can be if done very well.

guy is such a refreshing and inspirational addition to the tattoo industry, im tellin ya. he really made a great book that opened my eyes as well, and really just got me thinking more in an artists point of view, as well as almost an architectural way of looking at it. i HIGHLY suggest this book to new and experienced artists alike.

I have seen that there is a new 2nd edition, just been released. its a whopping $250,- but if I must believe it's as good as everybody say's it is, it should be 2 and a half times better too. Every thing is full color now, and comes with DVD. Can't wait to see one in the flesh.

I just got this book on a download site (coughs) fan bloody tastic, deffinatly worth reading, im glued to it most of the evening.

Havent read the book as yet but have seen the dvd, this guys [geddit?]work is awesome, art wise I was never a fan of the bio tech stuff but having seen his work there Im a convert. He is very concise with his tutorial and also shows the tattoo healed, simply awesome.