For those who are interested in having a tattoo done, the choices can seem overwhelming. There are so many designs that it can be tough to make the right choice.
There are also many artistic styles from which to choose, and deciding on one is not always easy. To this end, here are some of the most popular tattoo styles.
Traditional Tattoo Style
The American Traditional tattoo is a big part of the introduction of the art of tattooing to a Western audience. It features bold lines, classic motifs, and eye-catching colors.
Designs include anchors, red roses, daggers, sailing ships, eagles, horses, Native American heads, and the heads of exotic looking ladies.
The Traditional American tattoo is hugely popular and is a great one to have as your very first tattoo. The designs are timeless and the bold lines and bright colors make it easy on the eye.
You should consider getting a Traditional tattoo for the following reasons:
- You are new to tattoos and you want some ink that’s easy on the eye.
- You enjoy traditional motifs, such as sailing ships and the anchor.
- You enjoy bold line work.
Watercolor Tattoo Style
If you’ve ever seen watercolor paintings, you probably know how beautiful they can look. Those splashes of color seem to float on the paper and the way that they bleed into one another almost seems haphazard.
The watercolor tattoo is basically a reproduction of the watercolor painting style in tattoo form. This means splashes of color that seem to be soft and ethereal, as well as a distinct lack of bold outlining.
However, some tattoo artists do use thin black lines just to outline their designs.
Subjects include copies of famous watercolor paintings, as well as flowers, swirling colorful designs, fish, birds, and anything else that lends itself well to this unique style.
You should consider getting a Watercolor tattoo for the following reasons:
- You enjoy watercolor painting.
- You love the watercolor aesthetic that sports bright colors and optical blending.
- You want something different from the norm.
Mixed Media/Trash Polka Tattoo Style
Mixed Media and Trash Polka tattoos are an exciting new trend in body art.
Mixing styles and design elements creates unique and striking tattoos that are strikingly contemporary. These tattoos take the tattooist’s art to a new level of visual sophistication.
New School Tattoo Style
New School is one of those aesthetics that owes a lot to the popular culture of the 80s and early 90s in America.
If you have a fondness for those early morning weekend cartoons that played on cable, then the New School style might just appeal to you.
New School is directly inspired by these pop cultural motifs that were a huge part of childhood memories for many people of a certain generation.
Using striking colors and animated styles, there’s something here for most people, from Anime characters to cute cartoon cats.
You should consider getting a New School tattoo for the following reasons:
- You have an affinity for those old 80s and 90s morning cartoons or love anime.
- You love the quirky look of New School tattoos.
- You enjoy the use of bold and bright colors.
Japanese Tattoo Style
While traditional Japanese tattooing has sometimes been associated with criminal organizations such as the Yakuza in recent years, this is rapidly changing as a whole new generation explores Japan’s rich cultural and artistic history.
Based on traditional Japanese woodblock art, the tattoos are striking in their appearance and lend themselves very well to large applications, such as the whole of the back.
One of the most unique things about Irezumi is how they tell a story about Japanese history and mythology. Such tattoos include subjects such as dragons and other creatures from Japanese folklore.
You should consider getting a Japanese tattoo for the following reasons:
- You have an affinity for tattoos that are rich in cultural heritage.
- You enjoy the Japanese aesthetic, including traditional woodblock art.
- You want a large space on your body filled with ink.
- You connect with Japanese history and culture.
Word Tattoo Style
Word or letter tattoos are a popular alternative to images. Single word tattoos have become especially desirable.
Sources include literary works, songs and movies. Whatever you choose, there are also design considerations before you get inked.
Blackwork Tattoo Style
As the name suggests, Blackwork tattoos are done using black ink only. From bold lines and geometric ornamentation. Monochromatic tattoos like this can be incredibly powerful and many people love their aesthetic.
Even though only black ink is used, the clever use of negative space and bold lines and shapes can produce visual rhythms that produce amazing artwork.
You should consider getting a Blackwork tattoo for the following reasons:
- You want something both simple in style and striking.
- You enjoy a monochrome look.
Abstract Tattoo Style
If you’re not especially interested in many of the more traditional tattoo styles, Abstract may be for you. Much like the Surreal style, Abstract is mostly concerned with experimentation.
The Abstract tattoo style uses shape, line, rhythm, and mark to symbolize deeper meanings or simply excite the eye.
You should consider getting an Abstract tattoo for the following reasons:
- You have an eye for abstract art.
- You want something unique that has deeper personal meaning.
Tribal Tattoo Style
Modern tribal tattoo styles have their roots in our ancient past. Across many human cultures, tattoos have been important in rituals, in initiation rites for young men, as war decorations, and in denoting one tribe from another.
Celtic Tattoo Style
Celtic tattoos are one of the most popular forms because of their intricacy and their rich cultural history. They make for a great first tattoo and can have profound meaning for many people.
The modern Celtic style tattoo features swirling and intricate patterns and motifs. Armbands, Celtic knots, and other designs are popular and eye catching.
You should consider getting a Celtic tattoo for the following reasons:
- You connect with Celtic history and heritage.
- It’s your first tattoo and you just want to dip your toe in the waters by trying out a simple Celtic knot or similar.
- You enjoy swirling and organic designs.
Floral Tattoo Style
Floral tattoos just never go out of style. As well as being timeless they’re also very versatile. Whether you’re looking for a tattoo with profound meaning or just one that looks fabulous, there’s a floral tattoo design to suit you.
Chicano Tattoo Style
The Chicano movement has a rich history. As Mexicans adopted the American way of life, they also adopted Chicano culture.
This was a cultural identity that started life as a derogatory term, but was proudly worn by Mexican people who felt that they needed to resist anglo-American culture and retain their own Mexican identity.
Religious icons, Mexican men in suits and smoking cigars, and exotic lady portraits define this aesthetic that was originally created behind prison bars.
Chicano tattoos feature great line work in monochrome and delicate shading. They can be intricate or simple, but in all ways they are a direct line back to Mexican history in a newly adopted country.
You should consider getting a Chicano tattoo for the following reasons:
- You have a deep connection to Mexican culture and history.
- You love the look of the American Traditional style, but you’d like something more unique.
Dotwork Tattoo Style
In this style, many dots or individual points of ink are combined to form a united whole. This can be geometric in nature or even a portrait. The subjects are many and varied, but are often abstract in nature.
Just imagine a network of thousands of black ink dots that form the picture of a famous person, for example. The effect is striking and takes time. As such, not every tattoo artist can achieve this look.
You should consider getting a Dotwork tattoo for the following reasons:
- You want a tattoo that is visually striking and unique.
- You’re not entirely sure of the subject you want tattooed, but you enjoy the Dotwork style.
Portrait Tattoo Style
Portrait tattoos have really exploded in popularity in recent years. There are so many possibilities that it can be hard to choose. A well-done portrait tattoo can look almost three dimensional and really make for an eye-catching design.
On the other hand, one that has been rushed or has been inked by someone without the requisite skill can look quite appalling and embarrassing.
Geometric Tattoo Style
As the name suggests, Geometric tattoos are composed of smaller geometric lines and shapes that combine to form a unified image.
Most often, black ink is used to form complex patterns that create a visually striking result.
One of the great things about Geometric tattoos is that the style can be used to form any picture. Lines, stylized leaves and organic shapes, and curves are just some of the tools available to the tattoo artist in this modern style.
You should consider getting a Geometric tattoo for the following reasons:
- It’s your first tattoo and you want something striking but not too dramatic.
- You enjoy bold lines and Blackwork, and want a monochromatic design.
Sketch Tattoo Style
Sketches on paper may sometimes look unfinished or rough, but creating them in ink can be rather challenging and time-consuming.
Sketch tattoos have a look that suggests they have literally been sketched right onto the skin.
As such sketch style tattoos are usually monochromatic and can take a long time to complete. In reality a sketch tattoo is not unfinished, but does sometimes feature a roughened hand-drawn look that is very appealing.
You should consider getting a Sketch style tattoo for the following reasons:
- You are an artist, or have a strong affinity for art and practice, and you have a specific sketch piece in mind.
- You enjoy a more unique tattoo that is eye catching.
- You enjoy finely detailed monochromatic tattoos.
Black and Gray Tattoo Style
Ever since the invention of tattoos many millennia ago, the black and gray style has positioned itself as the most common type of tattoo there is. But what is it that keeps drawing people to this style over and over?
The consistent popularity of black and gray tattoos is not at all a surprising feat when taking into consideration how much more convenient it is to produce black ink than its colorful counterparts.
Whether it be their durability, esthetic, or rich history, the benefits of black and gray are many while its drawbacks seem little to none.
Surrealism Tattoo Style
Just like the Abstract style, Surrealism takes its main inspiration from the surrealist movement in art history.
Names such as Salvador Dali bring to mind melting clocks and other bizarre images, and the Surreal tattoo style is a no-holds barred tour of the weird and the wonderful in terms of imagery.
Surreal tattoos are often eye catching and visually impressive. A great surreal tattoo can look like an amazing masterpiece on the body and really create a fuss.
In short, this is a very creative and inventive style that can span the realms of the bizarre and the profound.
You should consider getting a Surreal tattoo for the following reasons:
- You really enjoy the surreal movement in art history.
- You are looking for a truly unique tattoo that catches the eye.
- You have an affinity for the weird and the wonderful.
Negative Space Tattoo Style
This is where the space around a subject is as important as the subject itself. In Negative Space tattooing, black ink is used as a dominant feature to bring a viewer’s attention to the empty spaces in between.
So, how does this work? Imagine a forearm largely covered in black ink with the shape of a lonely rose catching the eye. The rose itself is just bare skin, and so the black ink around it draws attention to it.
Just like a photographic negative, it is the negative space that draws the attention to the main subject it surrounds and emphasizes.
You should consider getting a Negative Space tattoo for the following reasons:
- You adore Blackwork and the look of monochromatic tattoos.
- You want a truly unique looking tattoo that is designed to catch the eye and hold it.
- You want an affordable tattoo that is also visually stunning.
Hyper Realism Tattoo Style
If you’re a fan of tattoos, most likely you’ve come across those viral-worthy, photorealistic designs that just blow your mind.
From the fine details that seem perfect, to the shading that makes the ink jump out of the skin, these tattoos look like photographs.
With the intense attention to detail and accuracy of the image the tattoo is mimicking, a hyper realistic tattoo can certainly garner a lot of attention.
Minimalist Tattoo Style
Do you want something subtle, on the basis that, in style terms, less is more? If so, a crisp and clean minimalist tattoo could be exactly what you need.
Minimalist tattoos also commonly utilize highly stylized designs, where a motif is ‘deconstructed’, or reduced to the most essential visual elements that make it recognizable.
Often that means simply representing something in outline, with no infill. If you have an image in mind that you’re set on having then it’s probably possible to have a minimalist version of it.
Steampunk Tattoo Style
What do steam-powered technology, science fiction, and Victorian top hats have in common? These things are all present in Steampunk, a subculture that has influenced many spheres of society, including body art.
Inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery, Steampunk sets up an alternative history that often incorporates elements of the Victorian era or the Wild West days of America.
Patchwork Tattoo Style
This tattoo style can be the perfect option for people who love a puzzle tattoo aesthetic and enjoy many different tattoo elements.
Think of a patchwork sleeve tattoo almost like a patchwork quilt – many different elements stitched together to create a design. Various symbols, images, designs, and colors can be used in different small tattoos to create the sleeve.
If you like the chaos of multiple styles and designs next to each other, you don’t need a theme. You can just start your patchwork sleeve with a tattoo you like and just keep adding on as time goes by.
