Strength

This is my 3rd folio piece for art. Completed over the summer holidays between year 11 and 12, so December 2007 and January 2008. This piece is probably my most well known piece amongst friend and others that see it, so nom I’m remembered as the guy that did the awesome tattoo drawing.
It was the longest I have ever spent doing a piece of art. But I guess it is justified as this was the first time I had ever drawn realistically, and the detail of the tattoos was also a first. From this piece onwards is when I really started to move away from anime, both drawing and just general interest.

The original idea for this piece was rebellion, and strength due to my growing interest in gym, and building muscle mass but I never wanted a tattoo this large to do that, just around the contours of my shoulder as that is my favourite and biggest muscle. Also its rebellion against my parents as I know my parents and most parents would not approve of their children getting tattoos, and they have a negative image in society, such as criminals etc
But as with art it’s not all about drawing, there is research behind each folio piece, so I looked up tattoos and tribal tattoos, and looked at Japan (related to past manga style piece) and Samoa, which ended up being a big influence and relation to my idea, as a symbol of strength, courage and becoming a man, if you had a incomplete because you couldn’t take the pain or whatever reason, you and your family were in shame for life, so that is kinda what motivated me to finish it after losing some interest after a month and half, all up it took roughly 2 months my summer holidays but its ok, because it was really worth it.
"this is probably the first work of art I am really proud of"
Oh and yes that is my body, I didn't think I would use myself in my art, like this

Enjoy!