DrawWithMike.net

Today I’ve spent another few hours trying my best to build up the texture.
The main challenge is to cover that old type rose design - making it disappear.
There was the ex-wife name as well - it’s gone already

Just trying to follow the old tattoo bold edges - to change them into branches …

I’ve done my best to make some sort of tree crown around the top - the worst is the interior, because the way I’m making the crown(leaves) is barely noticeable

The next, final session will be to put shading all around, in hope to improve the 3 dimensional look.

The rose flower is still showing through with its faded reddish - me and my client actually do appreciate it.
We do think it’s like if something alive, a living creature - was trying to get out from the inside of the trunk?

I’m half/half about this cover.
It supposed to be a nice believable tree shape, I’m achieving sort of something

At some point I can see it as a disaster, on the other hand it’s very unique?


Below this rose flower was another cover up I’ve done few months ago - the skull.
The skull is looking alright, because I’ve fully covered up the old tattoo with the eye hole of the skull, so the rest of the skull was made over the empty area.

Unfortunately the rose is opposite - I’m just manoeuvring within existing lines and shapes - what’s making this cover up hard to read …

PogArt-Ttoo wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:08 pm I’m half/half about this cover.
It supposed to be a nice believable tree shape, I’m achieving sort of something
At some point I can see it as a disaster, on the other hand it’s very unique?
.... Unfortunately the rose is opposite - I’m just manoeuvring within existing lines and shapes - what’s making this cover up hard to read …

No, I think what's happening is that everyone will see this differently. And like it for their own reasons.

It's full of interest and intrigue - and only you know it's the rose trying to escape.

I think you're doing an admirable job! And it really doesn't need to look like anything in particular. I think it looks like part tree, part Forest Goblin... but that's probably just me.

Mike Sibley wrote: Sat Oct 18, 2025 5:49 pm

PogArt-Ttoo wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 7:08 pm I’m half/half about this cover.
It supposed to be a nice believable tree shape, I’m achieving sort of something
At some point I can see it as a disaster, on the other hand it’s very unique?
.... Unfortunately the rose is opposite - I’m just manoeuvring within existing lines and shapes - what’s making this cover up hard to read …

No, I think what's happening is that everyone will see this differently. And like it for their own reasons.

It's full of interest and intrigue - and only you know it's the rose trying to escape.

I think you're doing an admirable job! And it really doesn't need to look like anything in particular. I think it looks like part tree, part Forest Goblin... but that's probably just me.

Thank you Mike for keen words.
You're very correct - that reddish shape for everyone may will become something else?
I'm gonna improve the spherical shapes of the trunk with shading added, so until then it's difficult to predict the final outcome.
The positive aspect is that, in connection to the skull it's alright
Because the skull will let the tree be whatever shape, form I guess?
Thank you

I agree with you Artur. The fact that the tree can be seen as a companion to the skull tattoo makes it work. Because of the skull, I see a creepy, kind of haunted tree, that makes me want to explore inside the branches to find what’s living in the tree.

I think that covering an existing tattoo must be very challenging and difficult. It’s a compliment to you that your client trusts you with such a difficult job!

Laurene wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 9:27 am I agree with you Artur. The fact that the tree can be seen as a companion to the skull tattoo makes it work. Because of the skull, I see a creepy, kind of haunted tree, that makes me want to explore inside the branches to find what’s living in the tree.

I think that covering an existing tattoo must be very challenging and difficult. It’s a compliment to you that your client trusts you with such a difficult job!

Believe me or not - it's free hand as well...
I've been asking questions what he likes, I was telling step by step my next moves In about to make...
He said - just go for it, I'm trusting you

The cover up is best if totally blocked out, replaced by new design - like the skull below, where you can not notice there's any old tattoo underneath...
Well - some spots are still visible a bit, but they don't affect the whole picture...

Thank you Laurene