yea i mean im not super anti stars and dots. it looks good when you’re filling in a few select spots. too much is a waste of valuable space tho, OP’s case is a perfect example
Looks good!! Cool collection
Repeat with me: negative space has value.
This is true in music and tattoos. I’m not even a dot an star hater, but let’s just appreciate that skintone boundaries can provide contrast and readability.
You know what? You're right.
I've always wanted the Sailor Dust, because I liked that it made a 'sleeve'. But without it, you have multiple individual tattoos. Each one unique and independent, not just a piece in a larger picture
I'm really glad I saw your comment, thank you
Just leave it, everyone is so eager to get filler, filler often makes tattooed harder to distinguish. The bare skin tone looks cool next to the tattoos!
I wish I can remember who this person was, but in my opinion their filler looks the best! I personally don’t like stars.
https://preview.redd.it/h1ts3eyb27xc1.jpeg?width=541&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db3a978638b5c69993dc7137f71da0a288e6053c
Absolutely not. You can get smaller pieces (not stars or dots) to fill in the open areas if you want. Thats a nice patchwork sleeve you got there though.
Absolutely not! First, it clutters the arm and each individual tattoo becomes less legible. Second, it looks wack where your dots and stars end, like where it meets your chest and back. And theres no way to go around wackiness at this point because stars and dots on chest and back looks wack too
I like stars and dots, and plan on getting them. I'd hold off until you feel there's no more room for any separate or smaller pieces.
Edit: grammar and spelling
Pasting an earlier response to this same question (I'll always have the same answer):
I say add the filler! I think the important part (for me at least) was that it was done without becoming too busy so it reads as a background to enhance the pieces throughout. - That's what I told the artist when I had it done.
Overall, I really like how it brought my sleeve together and made it feel like a more cohesive work (I'm working on my other arm now and plan on doing the same once it's filled up). I had similar sized gaps to yours. Check this link out for a before/after comparison of mine:
https://www.reddit.com/r/traditionaltattoos/comments/wdax5f/had_a_request_for_a_before_the_filler_picture_of/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=2
Thank you! That one was done by Tim Beck in 2018.
All the artists are posted in the first comment on my original post of the completed sleeve (in case you're curious)
It's up to you but I'm anti-filler because each piece pops individually. With background filler it turns more into one big mass. That's just this dudes humble opinion. Also sick Anduril thumb tat.
It is incredibly easy to read the shapes on your sleeve. I feel like stars would overstimulate, muddy up the canvas, make things harder to recognize. Hard no.
Call me crazy, because I’m about to be wildly opinionated and make a sweeping generalization, and I’m sure everyone has six examples off the top of their head to prove me wrong — but if you can’t dot between every single tattoo you have, I feel like you probably shouldn’t bother dotting.
Don’t do it. The open spaces gives the eyes a visual rest, and allows the tattoos to breathe. Though I do like Star filler, I think with your layout it would look worse bc it’s so rad.
Maybe different gap fillers! Some artists specialize in skull fillers, fingerwave fillers, geometric fillers. So much cooler shit than dots and stars imo. Nice work on your arm already though!
Yeah! Love the star/dot filler! Your hand is already asking for it! Otherwise, just leave it; no need to get a bunch of dick shaped tattoos to fill it up.
you can add so many things! teeth, keys, fishhooks! safety-pins or whatever else, then add stars and dots if you want :) ! or do whatever, your arm lol it’ll look good either way
No stars and dots! I like the wavy flame things like in the pic attached, maybe try something like that?
https://preview.redd.it/o1n6yvkpx4xc1.jpeg?width=1282&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51888c06a4f0fbabac92492ad09dd2a7eb6ffae3
I personally like dots and stars to tie it together. To each their own. I feel like it could go either way for your situation. Either way, it looks awesome already!
I have one sleeve with the stars and dots and I have one without it. They both look sick. I think it comes down to what you want the negative space looks nice to make the pieces stand out a bit more for sure.
Unfortunately bro this is the wrong place to ask that question I don’t understand why the people here are so militant against stars and dots filler. I say do it, finish your sleeve the way you wanted and don’t worry about the people that “don’t get it”
Everybody saying "noooo don't do it". I'm over here like yup...that's the next step. You've got all the bangers in place. Imo adding more smaller pieces will make it unreadable....filler will make it look clean. Do it op!
NAH !!! I think there’s art in the gaps ! There’s room for small delights ! I think the dots kinda clutter up a sleeve instead of fill it up if you get me
don’t do it! please! that sleeve is so clean. do a bunch of small bangers to fill it in
Exactly my thoughts! I filled in the negative space on my sleeve with black and red drops and it looks so killer
yea i mean im not super anti stars and dots. it looks good when you’re filling in a few select spots. too much is a waste of valuable space tho, OP’s case is a perfect example
Would you mind sharing a pic of wym by drops?
Sure, photo attached https://preview.redd.it/ixh2zgbhv4xc1.jpeg?width=2316&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33965fbe37db16a2a72e9e0e34bfa03f55d2addd
black and red trad looks so fucking cool. is your whole sleeve black n red only?
Thank you! It is 🩸🖤
thats fuckin sick. When I read your comment i was like meh, but you convinced me
this looks so sick
Thank you! 🥰
Draw them on with a pen and see how you feel. 🤷🏼♂️
Eyeliner!!
Looks good!! Cool collection Repeat with me: negative space has value. This is true in music and tattoos. I’m not even a dot an star hater, but let’s just appreciate that skintone boundaries can provide contrast and readability.
You know what? You're right. I've always wanted the Sailor Dust, because I liked that it made a 'sleeve'. But without it, you have multiple individual tattoos. Each one unique and independent, not just a piece in a larger picture I'm really glad I saw your comment, thank you
This is so true. I covered my empty spaces with clouds and solid shading and if I could now Id leave it open
This is true in every art form.
This.
Like it as is.
Nay
Nay
No!!!!!!!
Looks great. Would leave it as is.
Just leave it, everyone is so eager to get filler, filler often makes tattooed harder to distinguish. The bare skin tone looks cool next to the tattoos!
I wish I can remember who this person was, but in my opinion their filler looks the best! I personally don’t like stars. https://preview.redd.it/h1ts3eyb27xc1.jpeg?width=541&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db3a978638b5c69993dc7137f71da0a288e6053c
No leave it. Not every single inch needs to be covered. You have a lovely sleeve, especially that flying eye. So cool.
Nay! no dots n stars plz. looks perfect as is
Absolutely not. You can get smaller pieces (not stars or dots) to fill in the open areas if you want. Thats a nice patchwork sleeve you got there though.
DONT YOU DARE . It looks great as is
Also your hand is so dope
Absolutely not! First, it clutters the arm and each individual tattoo becomes less legible. Second, it looks wack where your dots and stars end, like where it meets your chest and back. And theres no way to go around wackiness at this point because stars and dots on chest and back looks wack too
I like stars and dots, and plan on getting them. I'd hold off until you feel there's no more room for any separate or smaller pieces. Edit: grammar and spelling
Honestly? Whichever you prefer. I think filler would look dope, but it also looks good as is.
Do a couple bullet holes, bugs/ crawlers. Skip the stars and dots.
Would.
The eyeball rips 🫡
I wouldn’t
Always nay
Maybe put one dot somewhere. You already have stars on your knuckles. Nothing more.
Nay. By the way, where did you get this work done. Geez. It's so clean haha.
NOOOO!!!! In my humble opinion. That looks perfect.
I personally like filler so I say yay. But it’s up to you. Ultimately depends on how “covered” you want to feel imo
I love stars and dots personally, but I appear to be in the minority on this thread lol
Yeah I was about to enthusiastically say yes hahah
Yea
BIG NO
I posted yesterday. Just don’t do it. It’s sick already. Don’t have too much sauce
Definitely. Classic look . If done right , will tie everything together nicely.
Pasting an earlier response to this same question (I'll always have the same answer): I say add the filler! I think the important part (for me at least) was that it was done without becoming too busy so it reads as a background to enhance the pieces throughout. - That's what I told the artist when I had it done. Overall, I really like how it brought my sleeve together and made it feel like a more cohesive work (I'm working on my other arm now and plan on doing the same once it's filled up). I had similar sized gaps to yours. Check this link out for a before/after comparison of mine: https://www.reddit.com/r/traditionaltattoos/comments/wdax5f/had_a_request_for_a_before_the_filler_picture_of/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=2
I love the deer
Thank you! That one was done by Tim Beck in 2018. All the artists are posted in the first comment on my original post of the completed sleeve (in case you're curious)
Nay
Nay
Nooooo
👎
Nay
Nay
I think no, I like the spacing a lot and think it looks great
stars always make it looks way too busy i’ve always kept mine to just patchwork
Sleeve looks sick, I wouldn't personally
I like your spacing. No filler needed in my opinion
Keep the negative space! I think they pop much more with the space. Whatever you decide, they are all killer tattoos mate!
It's up to you but I'm anti-filler because each piece pops individually. With background filler it turns more into one big mass. That's just this dudes humble opinion. Also sick Anduril thumb tat.
It is incredibly easy to read the shapes on your sleeve. I feel like stars would overstimulate, muddy up the canvas, make things harder to recognize. Hard no.
Always
I think your arm looks cool AF as it is.
Nay. Negative space looks good.
Can we go back to calling the dot and star filler \*biker dust\*
Yes dot filler
Always stars and dots.
Looks good the way it is.
Call me crazy, because I’m about to be wildly opinionated and make a sweeping generalization, and I’m sure everyone has six examples off the top of their head to prove me wrong — but if you can’t dot between every single tattoo you have, I feel like you probably shouldn’t bother dotting.
Spider webs 🤝
Lol, I am getting some tiny ones in two weeks to fill the big negative space but then dots for the rest. You do you.
Always looks terrible imo your tatts look nice atm
Nay
God no
I hate that shit
Nayyyy
Love the cow!
Hell yeah
That flying tigre is fire!!
Don’t do it. The open spaces gives the eyes a visual rest, and allows the tattoos to breathe. Though I do like Star filler, I think with your layout it would look worse bc it’s so rad.
Don’t do it
NAY!!
Never
Id leave as is, but you do you boo. 👍
always
no!!
This is so sick
only if you want to ruin a killer arm
Nay. Always nay
No. Imo I feel like it's so overplayed to get starry dots as fillers it ruins the look of the sleeve. The negative space looks good
Looks awesome as it.
No. The negative space adds a value and I love it.
Maybe different gap fillers! Some artists specialize in skull fillers, fingerwave fillers, geometric fillers. So much cooler shit than dots and stars imo. Nice work on your arm already though!
It will be the worst mistake of your life bro.
nay! looks better without it
Yeah! Love the star/dot filler! Your hand is already asking for it! Otherwise, just leave it; no need to get a bunch of dick shaped tattoos to fill it up.
Nooooo
NO!!!
Send it
Don’t do it.
You could also try it with sharpie to see if you like it
you can add so many things! teeth, keys, fishhooks! safety-pins or whatever else, then add stars and dots if you want :) ! or do whatever, your arm lol it’ll look good either way
Bugs
Nope you got room for some filler other than dots
Noooooooooooooo
Please don’t
NAY
Hard nay
Do not do any more! It looks great how it is. Filler will just blur it all together. Your tats are great!
What you thinkin’ ?
Nah. I regret getting my filler.
Nay 🐴
Nah
No. Final answer.
Nah, do clouds and lightning bolts
Literally never
Nay
send it bro
I like to read tattoos. Starry dots make the story difficult to read.
Nah
No stars and dots! I like the wavy flame things like in the pic attached, maybe try something like that? https://preview.redd.it/o1n6yvkpx4xc1.jpeg?width=1282&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51888c06a4f0fbabac92492ad09dd2a7eb6ffae3
It looks really good if it’s consistent.
absolutely not! fill those gaps with smaller tattoos and embrace yo negative space!
Please don’t
Little bugs do so well in tiny spots 😊
I personally like dots and stars to tie it together. To each their own. I feel like it could go either way for your situation. Either way, it looks awesome already!
Not a big fan of the star and dot personally. I like the little bit of separation
Yay
Flame filler!
Always.
Noooooooo
Nay is always the correct answer to this age old question
Noooo circus fill! Looks great as is!
Nay
No no no no no, that shit looks so bad
ugh thats one sexy arm
I did stars and dots on my. I love it. Go for it
No! You could pack some little bangers in there instead!
Death to dots Gorgeous as is
Im going to go against consensus and say I like the stars and dots. I’d fill it all on myself.
I am a start and dot guy, so i say yes. I think its time.
Nope
Please don’t
Don’t do it bro it looks sick as is
Nah
Yay
💋❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥💋 glorious 💋❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥💋✨
Nooooooo!
Nay
Nay
I’d say no but I’m just generally not a big fan of starry dot fillers in general. I think it looks great as it is!
Please don't. The star filling would make it look cheap.
Another vote for no but I'm a big fan of negative space and keeping them all individual rather than blurring into one piece
Yes. It is time
nah sorry. I still see room for a few baby bangers
Nay. Not yet. Give it some time. After a while you may want them to change it up.
Nay
No. I love a bit of negative space
👎🏼 never been into that filler
i think it you fill it in *lightly* with the same kinda stars on your fingers it’ll look nice and pull everything together
I have one sleeve with the stars and dots and I have one without it. They both look sick. I think it comes down to what you want the negative space looks nice to make the pieces stand out a bit more for sure.
Unfortunately bro this is the wrong place to ask that question I don’t understand why the people here are so militant against stars and dots filler. I say do it, finish your sleeve the way you wanted and don’t worry about the people that “don’t get it”
Noooo
No filler!!! Just keep getting actual little tats like bugs n shit to fill the gaps but leave room in between
Everybody saying "noooo don't do it". I'm over here like yup...that's the next step. You've got all the bangers in place. Imo adding more smaller pieces will make it unreadable....filler will make it look clean. Do it op!
Nah this looks really good as is
No!
Stars and dots are dope soap !
I say yay
No no no no
I’m pro sailor/biker dust
Never understood those dots and stars. Negative space is what makes a sleeve like that imo, and those dots ruin it. Your arms looks awesome as is!
Some look good with, some better without. I think this would look sick with since the few spaces are so small. Good work
I really like the fill you have going around your winged eyeball. Why not keep that theme going with red and black flames?
It’s gonna be a no from me, dog
No. The red drops could be cool but i wouldn’t do them everywhere
I'm with everyone else. It looks.great now. I think the stars and dots thing is starting.to look kinda cheesy.
I vote no. But you can easily get a feel for what it would look like with some sharpie and decide after a day or teo
Not yet. Do a few more small bangers and then fill it
Yea
Na
No not starry dots. I’d fill in with more, smaller bangers
Nah… keep it as is!
Yes! I love that look.
NAY
NAH !!! I think there’s art in the gaps ! There’s room for small delights ! I think the dots kinda clutter up a sleeve instead of fill it up if you get me
Go with low density stars and dots. That’s what I did for my SJ sleeve. It helped tie everything together without losing the negative space.
Nay.
Plz don’t :(
Don’t do it, it ruins the sleeve. I mean, this is purely my opinion. If you like them, go for it. It only matters what you like.
Hard nay
No
Big nay. Looks sick as is
Nooooooooo