In the world of tattooing, there is a wide variety of tattoo styles, each with its own unique and special characteristics. Each style uses different forms, colors, textures, and techniques to create a distinct look, so it’s essential to know how to differentiate them.
Some tattoo styles have been around for over fifty years, such as traditional tattooing, while others have originated from recent trends, like anime-inspired tattoos, dotwork, or 3D-style tattoos.
The most popular tattoo styles
It can be tough to decide what to get tattooed, and even more so when there are so many styles of tattoos out there. That’s why we’re going to break down the most popular styles of tattoos and their characteristics.
Realistic Tattoos
Realistic tattoos aim to capture an image on the skin in the most realistic way possible, like a painting. Tattoo artists need to have the skill to make the tattoo look like a photograph. This style is one of the most popular, and can be done in color or black and white. To achieve the highest level of detail, fine needles are used.
Old School or Traditional
Traditional tattoos, also known as old school, are one of the oldest styles of tattoos in the Western world and are still very popular today. They’re easily recognizable, with solid and thick lines and flat, bold colors. A minimum of 9 needles are used to define the design, although it’s common to use 11 to 13 needles. One of the pioneers of this style was Sailor Jerry, a US Navy sailor who became a tattoo artist in Honolulu. His work has set the standard for traditional tattoos.
Classic designs that have been developed over the years are still popular today, including pin-ups, roses with daggers, eagles, dragons, portraits of women, ships, cards, and dice.
Neo-Traditional
Neo-traditional tattoos are inspired by traditional tattoos, but with more complex lines and colors, combining thick and thin lines. This style often features ornamental elements, flowers, fruits, animals, and fantastical creatures. However, there’s no fixed theme, and this type of tattoo often features a variety of subjects, from wolves to geishas.
Blackwork
Blackwork tattoos, as their name suggests, only use black ink for lines, shadows, and fill. This style is one of the most recent, although black and white tattoos have always existed. However, it’s been in recent years that this style has evolved to achieve a very pure and defined effect.
Dotwork
Dotwork is a style of tattoo that consists of filling in the design with small dots. The lines are usually solid, and the shading and color are achieved through pointillism. The density of the dots can vary depending on the desired effect.
Japanese
Japanese culture has had a significant influence on the world of tattoos. Traditional Japanese tattoos, also known as irezumi, often feature samurais, nekos (cats), Hannya, and Oni (Japanese demons), as well as gods from Japanese mythology, dragons, and many other subjects. Classic designs are highly detailed, sophisticated, and colorful. This style has a rich history, and the designs often carry significant meaning.
Tribal or Borneo
Tribal or Borneo tattoos became popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. The origins of this style are found in the symbols and rituals of ethnic groups and tribes. Some have different meanings depending on their shape or geometry, while others are purely ornamental. This style has been revived, although to a lesser extent and often combined with other styles.
Watercolor
This style aims to mimic the texture and form of watercolor on paper, by layering colors in a fluid way. The colors blend to create light and shadow, and bold colors are used, such as blues, greens, pinks, yellows, and more.
Geometric Tattoo
This style uses geometric shapes like triangles, circles, and lines to create abstract and symmetrical designs. Precision and attention to detail are crucial in this type of tattoo, as geometry plays a key role in the composition.
Brush or Avant-Garde Tattoo Style
This is one of the most interesting and challenging tattoo styles to execute. The term “brush” refers to a paintbrush in English, while “avant-garde” is the French term for “vanguard.” These are abstract tattoos, created by the artist themselves, and sometimes they are applied directly to the skin without a pre-designed sketch.
They replicate brushstrokes (hence the name), splashes of color, and strokes, resulting in highly intriguing abstract pieces. In Spain, they are not yet very common, though in countries like the Netherlands, Germany, or England, they are hugely popular.
Ornamental Tattoo
These tattoos reproduce decorative designs like mandalas, compass roses, and borders. Ornamental tattoos can be seen as a variation or evolution of geometric tattoos. Many of them, such as Mehndi designs, are inspired by traditional henna tattoos from cultures like Arabic and Hindu.
Gothic Tattoo Style
More than just a tattoo style, gothic is a trend. It encompasses clothing, makeup, cinema, music… You could say it’s an entire culture. Gothic tattoos reflect themes inspired by classic horror movies: skulls, eerie castles, blood-stained roses, and more. They feature heavy use of black ink, intricate details, and bold colors like red.
American Traditional Tattoo
This is likely the type of tattoo you’re most familiar with, as it’s one of the most popular tattoo styles. It’s an Old School style characterized by bold outlines and simple, vivid images and colors. It’s closely tied to maritime symbolism and imagery like pin-up girls, wild predators, or combinations of hearts, roses, and dagas.
This style was popularized by Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins in the 1930s, but it remains a popular choice to this day.
Biomechanical Tattoo
Biomechanical tattoos are often done freehand, as this allows them to better adapt to the body’s shape, creating the illusion of machinery beneath the skin.
It’s impossible to talk about this style without mentioning Roman Abrego, whose designs inspired by machines and aliens often cover the arms and legs of his clients.
Portrait Tattoo
Shane O’Neil, one of the biggest stars in the tattoo industry, shows us just how realistic a portrait can be. This style is a subcategory of Realism (for example, the realistic representation of photographs).
Without the bold black outlines popular in other styles, artists create striking interpretations of people, both in color and black and gray.
About Author
- https://t.me/s/tattoogunmachine
- Hello everyone! My name is Jade Blunt, and I'm a passionate tattoo enthusiast. Let me share a bit about my life and my journey in the world of ink and skin.
Ever since I was a child, I've been drawn to art and creativity in all its forms. However, it was when I turned 18 that I discovered my true passion: tattoos. I remember my first tattoo, a small design on my wrist that marked the beginning of an adventure that would change my life forever.
As my love for tattoos grew, so did my desire to learn more about this fascinating art. I started researching, talking to talented tattoo artists, and immersing myself in the history and culture of tattoos. Every tattoo tells a story, and I wanted to be a part of that narrative.
Over time, I decided to share my passion with the world through my blog, "Tattoo Gun Machine." In this space, I strive to provide valuable information about tattoos, from tips for tattooed skin care to stories of innovative tattoo artists and inspiring designs. My goal is to educate and inspire those who share my love for tattoos, as well as to demystify some of the stigmas surrounding this art form.
My blog has become a corner of the web where the tattoo-loving community can connect, share ideas, and explore new trends. I've also had the privilege of interviewing some of the most talented tattoo artists in the world, who share their unique experiences and knowledge within my pages.
But my journey in the world of tattoos doesn't stop here. I'm always on the lookout for new inspiration and challenges. I dream of one day opening my own tattoo studio, where I can bring my own designs to life and continue contributing to this form of artistic expression.
So, if you share my passion for tattoos or are simply interested in learning more about this exciting world, I invite you to join me on my journey at "Tattoo Gun Machine." Together, we can explore the art, culture, and beauty of tattoos as we continue to ink our stories onto the canvas of life. I'll see you on my blog!
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