Three images can communicate three different requests. The problem starts when an artist cannot tell whether you want the bird in one photograph, its background, or the whole tattoo copied. Add a short annotation to each reference before sending it.
Give each image one job
For a hypothetical bird-and-lettering brief, the reference set could read:
| Reference | Keep from this image | Do not carry over |
|---|---|---|
| A bird photograph | The turned head and recognisable beak shape. | The branch and busy surroundings. |
| A shaded illustration | The quiet mood and a darker focal area. | The exact drawing or its decorative border. |
| A placement photograph | The approximate position on the upper arm. | The pictured person’s dimensions or existing tattoos. |
This is a communication example, not a Yuyi design or a required submission format. Use fewer images if one clear reference does the job.
Point to the detail, then keep the whole image
A simple arrow or a numbered note can identify the feature you mean. Also retain the uncropped original so the artist can understand the surrounding shape. Separate your annotation from the source artwork; do not remove a creator’s credit to make the picture look like your own design.
Add one sentence describing the intended result, the body area and approximate dimensions. If two references conflict, say which one takes priority. A soft background and a dense patterned border may be competing instructions rather than details that can all be combined.
Send the annotated set with a custom tattoo enquiry to Yuyi. The reference-desk photograph shows the studio setting, not the hypothetical three-image exercise above.
