Originally on Twitter [Expanded for blog purposes]:
Not an expert, but as an artist who's done pro work and in this writing game for 20+ years, if your OCs/characters have tattoos (personal, cultural, or group/gang/syndicate), for the Love of G*d, change them up! They're IPs, many are culturally-unique, and a number are attached to investigated groups.(End)
The reason I say this is, I don't see much creative information about portraying tattoos and other skin art in prose or in illustrative or sequential artwork. What I have learned is, though I bear no tats myself, nor will I ever (personal, spiritual, and health reasons, and fear-of-needles phobia), I appreciate, respect, and enjoy tattoos on others because this form of art is so unique and personal to those who wear them. First and foremost, commercial tattoos whether done by a pro or an amateur, are IPs or Intellectual property. They can be considered copyright ©️ as the tattoo artist/practitioner is creating it. Someone else's skin is simply their paper or canvas.
For cultural purposes, it becomes even more mired. When a tattoo is from a particular culture, there is a lot of significance placed on certain images and symbolism only known within the group/community. It's why when outsiders get tattoos like this, they not only mess up the meaning, but they offend the culture and are shamed for it. Also, in several global indigenous cultures around the world, tattoo artists aren't only seen as a profession, but as a spiritual calling. Which is why skin artists and skin art is prayed and meditated over before they start. There are even rituals tied into these procedures long before the ink even touches the recipient's skin!
Now we come to the last part... Which should terrify most of us. Prison and secret society/gang/synidicate/organized crime tattoos. I can't stress enough that as an artist and writer to carefully consider making up one's own tattoos in these cases as well. I mean, a lot of these tats are marked identifiers to police and the FBI/CIA and other bodies of global law enforcement. It's simply not worth it.
