Different types of wood will give you a slightly different shades of color when the ashes are used as ink. Lighter woods will produce a grayer pigment; darker woods will produce a blacker pigment.
It’s hard to recommend an exact proportion of ashes to liquid for this, since it will depend on how finely you grind up the ashes, the type of wood you use, and the desired pigmentation of your ink. It’s better to add liquid slowly – you can always add more, but you can’t take any out.
It’s best to purchase pigment powder from a tattoo supply company since you can be sure it’s safe. You don’t want to accidentally use pigment ink used in car paint.
For some extra cleansing, you can also wipe your hands with an alcohol wipe after you’ve washed them.
You might want to wrap the thread with some tape to give it extra support and make sure it doesn’t move.
If you’ve never done your own tattoo before, you might want to start with a small design. You should practice your design on paper before you draw on your skin.
Your skin may bleed occasionally when you poke the needle through. Some bleeding is normal, but if you notice a lot of blood, stop immediately. You’ll need to reload your needle with ink occasionally. If you notice that the ink color is fading, reload the needle.
In the days after your tattoo is finished, you might notice your skin dries out quite a bit. This is normal. Just use a bit of fragrance-free moisturizer and rub it gently over your tattoo. Do not use vaseline or any ointment that does not have vitamin E or aloe.
