Cover-ups · Watercolour · Arm

From scorpion to flowers: a cover-up after laser.

In this case, the tattoo was still there after laser. I wasn't starting with blank skin: I had a dark scorpion in front of me and an idea to replace it with pastel flowers. Here's how I moved from that starting point to a lotus and watercolour composition.

The starting point: A scorpion still visible after laser.
The placement: Upper arm.
The proposal: Lotus flowers and watercolour.
What I show you: Before, placing the stencil and result.

In this story01 · The scorpion was still visible 02 · A beautiful idea has to work on that arm 03 · Lotus flowers, pinks, purples and blues 04 · Had laser and still want to change your tattoo?

Dark, greenish scorpion tattoo on the arm before the floral cover-up — The earlier tattoo as it appears in the video's comparison: the drawing and dark, greenish tones are still visible.

01 / FROM SCORPION TO FLOWERS

The scorpion was still visible

This was the day's little challenge: a scorpion to cover. At the start of the reel, I explain that it had been through four laser sessions. Even so, you could still make out the drawing, with dark and greenish areas remaining.

That's the starting point I want you to see. If you only saw the flowers at the end, you'd miss what was underneath and the difference between designing for untattooed skin and working over an existing drawing.

Flower and stem stencil being placed over the old scorpion tattoo — Placing the stencil: arranging the flowers on the arm with the earlier tattoo still in view.

02 / FROM SCORPION TO FLOWERS

A beautiful idea has to work on that arm

The idea was little pastel flowers. But choosing lovely flowers was only one part: I had to bring that idea to an arm where the scorpion was still present. In the video, I joke about looking as though I've got everything under control while thinking about how to make it work on real skin.

You can see the transition in the stencil. The scorpion is still visible, and the new flowers and stems appear over the same area. I'm not simply tracing the old drawing or giving it another colour: I'm changing the subject and composition.

Scorpion cover-up result: pink and purple lotus flowers with a blue watercolour background on an arm — The finished lotus and watercolour composition over the old scorpion.

03 / FROM SCORPION TO FLOWERS

Lotus flowers, pinks, purples and blues

The result has two lotus flowers with pink and purple petals, long stems and a blue and purple background. Washes and splashes accompany the flowers, carrying the composition along the arm.

Look at the whole piece, not just a petal: the change is in the entire composition. The earlier scorpion is still underneath a new tattoo; I haven't removed it. The before and result also show different poses and lighting, not two perfectly aligned photos.

04 / FROM SCORPION TO FLOWERS

Had laser and still want to change your tattoo?

This piece may help you explain what you're looking for. Wanting no ink in that area is one thing; wanting a different design while continuing to wear a tattoo is another. Here, I worked with the second aim.

If you're considering a cover-up, tell me how the tattoo looks now, what you'd like in its place and whether you're open to a larger design. I need to study your own starting point: this result doesn't mean every tattoo can use the same flowers or colours. If you're still having treatment, this story doesn't replace the assessment of the professional treating you.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS TATTOO

Questions about this project

Can I explore a cover-up if my tattoo is still visible after laser?

This case shows that situation: I worked with a still-visible scorpion to create a floral composition. It's a reference for discussing your idea, not confirmation that your skin is ready or the same design would suit you.

Are four laser sessions what you need before a cover-up?

No. That's the number I describe for this case, not a treatment plan. It can't tell us what another tattoo needs or whether someone should start, continue or stop treatment.

Are pastel flowers enough to cover any dark tattoo?

You can't draw that conclusion from these photos. You can see the combination of flowers, stems and colour background I created over this scorpion. It's not a recipe I can transfer without studying another tattoo's drawing, size and placement.

Did the earlier tattoo disappear?

I didn't remove it: I tattooed over it. That distinction matters if you want no ink in that area. A cover-up and removal have different aims.

Is the result you show healed?

These images show the result from the video, not a comparison months or years later. To see work over time, visit Healed, where I explain each example's context.

The before photo, stencil and result all come from the same post. Watch the original video for the whole transformation. Watch the original Instagram video ↗

KEEP EXPLORING

More examples for your idea.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR TATTOO

I'd like to explore a different idea for my tattoo

Tell me what you'd like to change and what you'd like to see instead. We'll start with the tattoo you're wearing now.

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