design my own tattoo

went to a tattoo shop thursday. an artist there was recommended by a piercer at another shop. i’m looking for a few very specific things in a tattoo artist, and i’m not sure if/where i’ll find them. my next tattoo is not something that will be small or easy to draw/design. it’s going to start on my upper left shoulder and cover a good portion of my left arm. i need to find someone that can spend the time designing and redesigning (several times over). i know that is part of the job, but i know that working with me will take a lot of patience.
one artist whose style i really like is far away (in france.) this is something i would be willing to travel that far for, but how do you work with someone that far away? i want to start drawing this myself, but i don’t know where to start. pictures, drawings, and ideas are all good, but i don’t know how they will translate into designs that can be put on skin and that will “complement” the anatomy.

i’m going to leave it. i think this goal implies that i don’t have a tattoo and that i’ve never ‘designed’ one before.

incorrect!

not only have i done both, but i believe not doing either is missing out and possibly grossly negligent behaviour. i think that flash tattoos are almost not worth getting- what’s the point of having someone else’s idea(s) on your body? i also think that getting tattooed and being tattooed are experiences that everyone should try.