Single needle shading...

Keith Ciaramello · #1 09-21-2007, 08:58 AM

Back in the early 90's I remember seeing a bunch of Jack Rudy work on a guy I worked with. He whipped everything out with a single! Shaded real soft stipple with the one needle.

The other night I'm watching Corey and Kat on LA ink (whatever, we all watch it...just like we all watch pro wrestling

) and I noticed the shade a LOT with what looks to be a single. It's hanging WAY out there and they are using the tip. I also see the stippling happening in there.

Anyone know how this is done? What type of machine to run?

I honestly don't see myself ever using this technique, but I am SOOOOO curious about how its done. Any insight would be apprecited.

Thanks!
Keith Ciaramello
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Los · #2 09-21-2007, 02:21 PM

Saying you don't watch LA INK

is like saying you DID apprentice

everyone in the industry is full of s&!t

resonanteye · #3 09-23-2007, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los

Saying you don't watch LA INK

is like saying you DID apprentice

everyone in the industry is full of s&!t

but I don't have f@#king cable

I'm gonna start saying I do watch it, now

))

BRANDON BOND · #4 09-25-2007, 12:44 PM

I dont watch wrestling! hahahaha

yeah correy and jack are friends from way back - and thats how the west coast fineline shading style is applied. turn the machine way down and use greywash.

Keith Ciaramello · #5 09-25-2007, 12:54 PM

Thanks man!
You look like a Roddy Piper fan to me!

SterileSteve · #6 09-27-2007, 03:16 AM

It originated in the prisons where you used a single needle to do the whole tattoo.

Back then it was referred to as whip shading. It was done with black ink and the speed was controlled by hand movement. There were no speed controls on the homemade power supplies back then. The gray wash effect was achieved by a quick dip of black and then working the blood with a whip motion causing the black to thin and create a stipple effect.

It was mastered by many Latino artists from the prisons around the lower southwest.

Keith Ciaramello · #7 09-27-2007, 09:05 AM

Thanks for the info Steve!

BRANDON BOND · #8 10-06-2007, 11:34 AM

steve knows more awesome stuff than anyone!!!!

BRANDON BOND · #9 10-06-2007, 11:35 AM

kieth your art is DOPE!

SterileSteve · #10 10-06-2007, 12:05 PM

Thanks Brandon! Back in the 80's I use to get a lot of requests to match the single needle tattoos that they received in prison. Flash was drawn on sheets and pillow cases. Inks were made from a variety of burnt items and machines were fashioned from cassette motors, toothbrushes, and various pen parts. A Tattoo Artist was the best thing to be in prison and could make lots of "money" while behind the bars.

Every now and then I still do a little something in fineline with a stipple effect just for fun....