DrawWithMike.net

Last Friday my client has arrived an hour late… because of some unexpected appointment.
We’ve started inking at around 10:40am…
She said we’ve got time till 1pm - then at 12:13pm she said she has to leave at 12:30pm?!
In 17minutes I was rushing to outline the whole piece to save it for next session…
It’s not the end of the story though…
Before she left, she said if it’s alright if she comes back at 4pm?
I didn’t know what to say really
I went - we’re open till 5pm that’s correct, but should I wait in here for you for 3hours to do a little bit again when you come 4pm?
What about waste of my inks, and spending time for fresh setting up the station again, and how much I’ll do in less than the hour when you come?
The tattoo was on her bottom end - I’ve asked for permission to share what we’ve done - she said big NOT ?!
She said no, no , no - it’s my boom, you can not post it on social media!
Hopefully she misunderstood my intention - she thought I’ll post the WHOLE PICTURE on public platforms
When I’ve clarified it’ll be CROPPED down to show the design itself only - she’s smiled at me, and said yes of course you can
I’m really confused and upset.
Somebody is making an appointment, coming late, then leaving early … expecting me to fit to whatever is going on..?!
So in a bit over an hour time, that I could actually tattooing - I’ve managed to do the bottom red bowl only, and outlined in hurry the rest…
I even didn’t manage to take a photo - because she literally were on the move to the door…
All I have today to share, is the reference photo, and the sticker made on her bottom end…
I’ve asked her for sending me photos - she said alright, but few days past by, and I’m still waiting…
She’s my neighbour, but it seems totally reckless, not showing any respect to my time, and effort…
I’m sorry for my post being a bit too long, but I couldn’t frame the whole situation in few words…

Never ending tattoo…

She has came this week for two days, day by day - to finish the tattoo…
But again for one and half hours the first day, and over 2 hours the next day…
Last day she wanted the tattoo to be done, and she was a bit sarcastic, talking down on me a bit, like if it was my fault the tattoo isn’t done just yet…?!
But again - she insisted she has to leave before I could finish?!
I said - if you just give me half an hour, I can do the lips, the eyes and touch up that rushed outline (which I was about to cover up by shading the skin tone all over the hand and the face…)
This time she has changed her mind - rushing me to finish - she said there’s no need to put the flesh colour in!…
She’s very cheeky, she doesn’t respect me at all…, and she’s coming for up to two hours and rushing to leave …
I can handle this disrespectful behaviour - but it’s last tattoo she will ever get from me.

This sounds like a nightmare. Especially since she is your neighbour. I guess that’s part of the risk when your canvas can get up and walk out the door!

There are ungrateful or disrespectful or difficult clients in all businesses. The best we can do is exactly what you’re doing, and refuse to provide work for them in the future.

Laurene wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 12:19 am This sounds like a nightmare. Especially since she is your neighbour. I guess that’s part of the risk when your canvas can get up and walk out the door!

There are ungrateful or disrespectful or difficult clients in all businesses. The best we can do is exactly what you’re doing, and refuse to provide work for them in the future.

Yes, thank you…
She’s been always nice to talk to, but as a client - she’s opposite

Does she have other tattoos?

If not, I'm wondering if she's thinking a tattoo is a ten-minute job... or that she has no interest at all in how long it takes or what goes into it. You must have come across this when you've drawn commissioned pencil portraits - when the client had absolutely no concept of the work involved.

Otherwise, I agree. Make this her one and only, because she has no respect or appreciation for the work you do.

Mike Sibley wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 11:22 am Does she have other tattoos?

If not, I'm wondering if she's thinking a tattoo is a ten-minute job... or that she has no interest at all in how long it takes or what goes into it. You must have come across this when you've drawn commissioned pencil portraits - when the client had absolutely no concept of the work involved.

Otherwise, I agree. Make this her one and only, because she has no respect or appreciation for the work you do.

Everyone can see it, my artist friends from the tattoo shop, and everybody else who has heard this story from me…
No more tattoos for her that’s for sure.
Thank you dear Mike for wise words