Man, I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while now, and I finally decided to pull the trigger. And not just any tattoo, but one inspired by the legend himself, Charles Oliveira. You know, the UFC champ? I’ve always admired his fighting style, his resilience, and that killer instinct he has in the octagon. So, I figured, why not immortalize that in some ink?
First, I spent hours looking for the right design. I mean, you can’t just slap any old thing on your skin and call it a day, right? I went through tons of images online, looking at different portraits of Oliveira, action shots, and even some abstract designs inspired by his fighting techniques. It was a real rabbit hole, I tell ya.
Finally, after what felt like forever, I found the perfect image. It was this intense close-up of Oliveira’s face, right before a fight. You could see the fire in his eyes, the determination. That was it. That was the one.
Next step, finding a tattoo artist. This was even trickier. I didn’t want just anyone poking needles into me. I needed someone who could capture the detail, the intensity, you know, the soul of the image. I asked around, checked out some local shops, and scrolled through portfolios online.
After a bit of searching, I stumbled upon this artist named Mark. His work was incredible, especially his portrait work. His lines were clean, his shading was on point, it was just… wow. I knew he was the guy.
So, I booked a consultation, showed him the image, and we talked about placement, size, all that jazz. He was super chill, really understood what I was going for. We even tweaked the design a little to make sure it flowed well with my body. We landed on my left bicep as the placement, making sure there is enough space to show it off.
Then came the big day. I gotta admit, I was a little nervous. I mean, it’s permanent, right? But Mark was a pro. He set me up, prepped the area, and got to work. The buzzing of the needle was a bit intense at first, but I got used to it. It was more like a scratching sensation than actual pain, honestly.
It took about four hours in total. We took a couple of breaks, chatted a bit, and just kept it relaxed. And let me tell you, seeing the final result was worth every minute.
Here’s what I learned from this whole experience:
- Do your research. Seriously, don’t rush into it. Find a design you love and an artist you trust.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good artist will be happy to explain the process and address any concerns.
- Take care of your tattoo. Follow the aftercare instructions to the letter. It’s your skin, after all.
Now, I’ve got this amazing piece of art on my arm, a constant reminder of Oliveira’s fighting spirit. Every time I look at it, I feel inspired, motivated, ready to take on whatever challenges come my way. It’s more than just a tattoo, it’s a symbol of strength and perseverance. And man, it looks freaking awesome.
