Japanese Backpiece Tattoo: Pearl of Wisdom

Flames and the Pearl of Wisdom
In the next few photos, I am condensing multiple tattoo sessions. Greg didn't take photos at each session (all of these photos at the tattoo studio are by him) but thank the gods that he took some! I, of course, was completely oblivious to documenting the experience.

I don't know how many tattoo sessions actually took place between the last photograph and this one, but there's obviously been quite a bit of progress. Not every session was really worth photographing anyway. Due sometimes to my having a good or bad day, or Greg's tight schedule, or just the type of tattooing he did that day, some sessions showed more obvious and photogenic progress than others.

Artistic Touches

Now the direct connection to the cherry blossoms at upper left is clear. The dragons body has been placed "underneath" them. Although not quite visible in this view, the swirling wind on the shoulder has wisps that overlap these as well. The blue scales of the body each receive their own detail, as do the green belly scales. But also notice how the overall three dimensional gleam of the body is beginning to take shape in the strip of light blue on the scales just to the left of the belly scales. The horns are finished as is the purple pearl of wisdom. The flames behind it are coming from the claw which clutches it.