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Less. I think.
It's hard to say really, there was very little pain but then again, I used a 5rl to do it, last tattoo I had done was lined with something like a 13rl so that's a whole lot more holes so not really comparable.
I suppose it started to hurt a little bit when I was going over bits filling in gaps but I really didn't do too much of this as I know that I can touch it up anytime so there was no incentive to hurt myself, quite different to a machine tattoo where the artist will be ensuring it's well lined with zero gaps.
I've no idea if I've gone deep enough or not. I think the deeper you go the more you bleed and I didn't bleed at all so I've maybe been to light handed but it looked like I was poking with about the same force as the vids I've watched on youtube etc. and it does look now like the ink is properly in my skin.
I guess time will tell as to how it lasts.
What I've done is nothing like a machine tattoo, I didn't want it to be and like I said, I can touch it up/add to it anytime so this was really a first pass to see how it went. I'm pretty certain I'll be going over this to thicken out the lines pretty soon.
This is on the front of my thigh and is about 2-2 1/2" high.
If you're wondering, it's the seal of Marbas(or the start thereof, should really be within a circle and with MARBAS written around it) who was the demon that taught the mechanical arts according to the Goetia.
Have just given myself my first hand poke.
Looks not too bad just now but will be letting it settle for a day or two before I decide if I post any photos of it.