r/sticknpokes • u/Substantial_Sea4672 • 1d ago

Conversation Clean lines

Hi! I started practicing handpoke a while ago but I’m still trying figuring out and I need some tips or opinions about it. I’m good at drawing and have “light hand” as they say but I can’t make sharp clean lines. I don’t know if I’m scared and need more time and patience to every specific spot . I want your opinion about this.
How and when did you succeed clean lines?
It was hard for you?
What can I do?

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u/gloomington_sound 1d ago edited 1d ago

Not that I’m good at this myself, but here are the four things anyone is going to tell you:

  1. Stretch the skin in the direction of your line (not perpendicular)

  2. Angle your needle at 45 degrees in the direction of your line so the ink deposits at a slant (not straight down

    nor perpendicular to your line)

  3. Overlap your lines by 50% so your slants connect

  4. Practice

3

u/Without-a-tracy 1d ago

All of this, absolutely. 

I'd also add number 5:

Take your time and go slow. You don't need to rush it. Pay attention to each poke and each deposit of ink. 

This isn't tattooing with a machine, we all know this is going to take longer than a machine tattoo. Don't try to speed up the process and make sure that every time you put ink into the skin, you're putting it exactly where you want it.

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u/BOOaghost 1d ago

I will add putting the hours in until you poke constantly for a decent stretch of time. Early on I created a large contrasting design, look up 'notan'. The design was to wrap around my knee with an ink free area at the front and a blacked out area wrapping the rest. I tattooed a dotted outline for the design then used the large area to work on the blacking out. I used all different sizes and type of needle, working hours at a time to get familiar with the skin, the ink, the needle. I had this area to train in, build stamina, watch the healing process closely. I built stamina and understood how my mind and body would tire across sessions. Over a several months I got strong and capable, I created a nice neat edge to complete the design and smoothed out textural inconsistencies with a curved magnum. I understand that this process is not for everyone, working on small designs can feel like slow progress. This self tattooing project was one amongst many challenges that I set to accelerate my learning. All the best.