“Bateau” is a fashion term used to describe a neckline that runs horizontally across the shoulders, often tracing, or falling just below, the collarbone; this style is also called a “boat neck.” When my friend (and gorgeous model) LaPorcshia showed up at my recent tattoo party in an adorable puffed-sleeve, off-the-shoulder bateau top, I knew I wanted to tattoo her collarbone to highlight this lovely part of the body. I created a partner tattoo to be worn with this piece, placed on the wrist on the opposite side of the body (see “Tattoo Corsage,” page 127, for inspiration and instruction). I love how the pair draws the eye across the body, from the crest of the shoulder to the tip of the hand.
STEP 1: Measure the kinesiology tape to the desired length. Sketch out the shape you’d like for the tattoo, then cut.
STEP 2: Clean the skin area you plan to tattoo with astringent to remove natural oils and/or lotion from the surface of the skin.
STEP 3: Place the tattoo base on the skin.
STEP 4: Trim all the flowers to the desired length. Cut all the flowers flush except the hyacinth bean, hanging amaranthus, and heuchera foliage. Retain the stem length of the amaranthus to allow it to hang naturally. The stems of the heuchera leaves and hyacinth will float them over other heavier materials.
STEP 5: Add a fine layer of floral adhesive to the entire length of the tattoo. Squeeze out more adhesive—about a quarter-size pool at a time—into a little bowl or scrap of cardboard. As you add materials, dip each one into the glue before adding it to the tattoo base.
STEP 6: Working with the darkest materials first, dip each flower in the floral adhesive before pressing it onto the tattoo base.
STEP 7: Create a full-coverage base layer with the deep-toned scabiosa, cockscomb celosia, and gomphrena. Add the largest blooms to the center of the piece, and work your way down either side of the piece, tracing the line of the tape base, alternating varieties and selecting progressively smaller flowers and botanical bits.
STEP 8: Add the top layer. Try floating interesting finishing bits by gluing their stems and nestling them into the floral landscape below. This technique allows you to obscure the base a bit, play with color distribution, and create wonderful depth and dimension.
