Blackbeard Tattoos
Blackbeard Tattoos
This listing is for one set of tattoos painted by Kitty Krell to recreate Blackbeard’s tattoos from Our Flag Means Death. These are professional quality and require a specific application process.
Each model’s measurements (in inches) are as follows
B
Shoulder to fingertip 28”
Bicep 13.5'“
Elbow 10.25”
Wrist 6.25”
S
Shoulder to fingertip 29”
Bicep 11'“
Elbow 9.5”
Wrist 6.75”
L
Shoulder to fingertip 30.5”
Bicep 16.25'“
Elbow 10.5”
Wrist 6”
You will need a 50/50 pros aide and water mixture to apply, translucent setting powder, a sharpie or tattoo marker for touch ups (shown in the final photo) and a heavy duty makeup remover.
Application kits are available, the small kit includes a 2oz spray bottle of Pros Aide/water mixture, 2oz Bond Off, and a talc free setting powder. The full application kit includes those plus a small tarp to lay out tattoos, qtips, a sharpie for touch ups, and several cotton rounds for blotting. Both include enough for 2-4 applications depending on the surface area size.
A video walkthrough of the application process is available here
To apply
-prepare skin by shaving. Exfoliate for the longest wear, or don’t for easier removal. Wear something sleeveless for application.
-make sure to give yourself an hour for application, I highly recommend testing with one of the extras included before a full application
-cut out your tattoos being sure not to cut off the blur around the edges
-tape together your snake, cutting along the scales to create a softer edge (shown in the video)
-lay tattoos out face up on something disposable
-spray your entire right arm with adhesive including the web from thumb to forefinger where the snake’s tongue goes, then blot with a paper towel.
-spray the tattoos with a thin but even coat of adhesive
-spray your arm again, blotting any runny spots. Make sure you have full coverage as any area without adhesive, the tattoos will not stick.
-allow to dry
-carefully place the snake. Tattoos will stick to the skin so you will not need to hold them in place.
-blot with water until the paper peels away. You will have to remove the tape to soak the paper underneath. Remove extra pieces of tattoo paper as they transfer.
-continue placing tattoos out from the snake following the template, do not do the bands at this stage
-fill any open areas with stars
-at this point you could powder them and call it done. The tattoos will be somewhat shiny and last all day but any areas that rub (wrist, armpit, elbow) or areas with clothing over (hand or top of the sleeves) will not last a second day. Or you can do another coat of adhesive over the whole arm, blot, allow to dry, and then powder. If you do not let the skin fully dry before powdering you will have white spots. Another layer of adhesive will matteify them more and give you at least two days of wear.
-To apply the band, you will need to apply another coat of adhesive over the first layer of tattoos, or they will adhere extremely splotchy, as seen on L. If you plan to coat everything in adhesive again (as discussed above) you can apply them then before powdering, if not, just apply adhesive to the area they’ll be applied. Remember that anywhere without adhesive, the tattoos will not stick, so be thorough. You can apply the pieces separately instead of taping them like the snake, simply make sure the ends are pointing to each other and you can overlap a second band to avoid a clear seam.
-either before or after powdering but after your final coat of adhesive, you can touch up any missed spots on the tattoos with a sharpie and blot it with your fingers.
-powder thoroughly, be certain everything is dry first.
-be sure to clean out the nozzle of your adhesive spray bottle as soon as possible by running hot water through it until it comes out clear, and then clearing the water as well.
-dispose of your tarp and backing papers
-have fun!
-to remove, use the orange Bond Off spray and let soak in before removing with a washcloth. Exfoliating works well.
-for multi day wear, powder as soon as they start to feel sticky again, usually every 6-8 hours.