This is about as close I can produce to what I want. There are some little edges that need cleaning up, like the top of the rider's helmet, the left back hoof, and the rider's foot.

I haven't really decided if I want the jump or not. I'm really leaning toward not.

The tattoo is going to go on the top of my foot. (I know this is going to hurt a lot, but that's what I want.) The horse will be jumping across the top of my foot, nose toward my big toe more or less. So depending on which foot I get it on it'll be reversed.



So what does everyone think of this as a tattoo?

I like it but I'd get it without the jump.

Without the jump- the thickness of the jump draws attention away from the horse in a way...

wow i've been listening to my art teacher too much

I like it without the jump much better.

Not at all. You have a reason to back up your opinion. It's a good thing. (Oh gosh, I've been listening to my English teacher too much. "you must prove every point you make in your essays")

you can make the jump just a verticle and it might look better but i really like the horse

Haha, on my essays like every two sentences by teacher writes why?, why?, why?
BECAUSE I SAID SO!
Anyways I like the horse its simple, not too extravagant. I agree with everyone else, I would change the jump or go without it.

Yay for quotes and direct examples! the teachers will fawn over you!

I like it, definately more without the jump though. When you take it in,t he artist will be able to adapt/edit it accordingly.

Other then the few small changes its a neat idea and a good location

I like it! I've been sitting on my tattoo design for months now.
I'd prefer it without the jump as well. My only two other comments are nitpicky things - The way the tail is shaped (the feathers towards the horse) create an odd negative space (my art teacher moment for the night). It makes his hind end look chunky depending on how you look at it, like the whole space between the tail and the leg line is supposed to be leg. Also, the bit position relative to the horse's head seems a little off.
Neither of those are actually important to the piece, I think it overall has a really nice flow to it. But those little things are, imo, worth thinking about when you are going to get something done permanently.
Have you tried mirroring it in the computer? Sometimes looking at your work mirrored helps you find details you want to correct.

Very nice, but I agree with no jump.

i agree abou the tail does make the horses hind end look chunky. I also agree with everyone that the jump is distraciting from the horse and i think that if ypu are going to be putting it on your foot the jump would look weird.

i agree about the jump. it would have to be in the perfect spot for the jump to work into it, since the body isn't straight lines. however, if you go to a good artist who is qualified enough, they could deffinately get some sort of "jump" underneath, but maybe without the straight line.

cool idea though!

So this would require revamping it, but it just seems like the horse's back is not long enough, like the rider is riding the neck and how the reins make it appear like there is no clear definition where the head ends and the neck begins. Kinda like what someone above commented. Maybe move the rider down the back more? And agreed with no jump.

Okay, so as someone rather thoroughly tattooed, there are a few MINOR flaws with your design that may or may not be problems for you. The front legs are wayyyyy too close together, as are some of the tail hair ends- the tail is not as worrysome as they front legs. As anything on/in/that is skin, tattoos age as the skin itself ages. This means that black lines expand outwards and become a bit blurry with time. Not really a problem, as any reputable artist can do great touch-up work on aging tattoos that can really make them look new again. The problem with the front legs is that as this tattoo ages, the legs will end up blurring into one another, and then even the best touch up job in the world will not make it look the same again.
If I were you, I would take a few sketches of what you would LIKE to a RELIABLE, WELL-RESPECTED artist in your area that will help you draw a good TATTOO. The thing about tattoos is that they are made to go into the skin, not onto paper, so drawing them from the first step onward is a different process with different considerations to be made throughout. What you might like on paper might look terrible on skin and vice-versa. Again, my advice is to talk to a good artist who can give you a few different options as to what will look good as a tattoo. Your design might change a little bit, but he or she can definately give you some better ideas as to what's going to become the best final product...

I want to get little horsehoes somewhere hideable on my body and put the name of every horse I've loved/owned on each shoe. Mom would kill me.

Here is a picture of my back piece, which you can kind of see my horse. I dont really have any pictures of the horse itself. My only suggestions as far as your drawings would be to a.) have more bascule. otherwise people think it is a greyhound. b.) move your front legs a bit, but if you have a good artist he can keep the lines from bleeding. c.) lastly, don't get it on your foot. For the amount of pain involved, it fades waaay too fast. You will seriously regret it in the next few years. I had a "Made in the U.S.A" tattoo on my heel done last year, and it is already starting to fade. Then again, walking 20 miles isn't abnormal for me, so I do get bigger calouses and slough skin more than most. Just someting to think about.

Oh, and here is the link to the picture in case the other one dosen't work.

http://a666.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00939...939946665_l.jpg

I had rather forgotten about this thread until just now.

I thought about it long and hard right when I turned 18, knowing it would make my Dad really mad.

But now, moving out next week, it's kinda fallen off the list of things to spend money on. Between moving the beastie, getting my car fixed, and buying all my stuff for college I really don't care nearly as much anymore.

When I do, eventually, get a tattoo, the design will probably be rather different for what I originally posted, which is based on my barn's logo.

Thanks for all your input!