Ultimate Tattoo Style Guide
The tattoos you love and the tattoos you’ve never heard of.
There are A LOT of tattoo styles to choose from (skip to the bottom for a list of the styles we’ll be covering in the coming weeks).
When it comes to picking the right ink for you, learn the styles and see what’s out there.
This is a comprehensive list of tattoo styles that we’ve come across.
And it keeps growing!
Once you’re done reading this, you’ll know the difference between traditional tattoos and neo-traditional tattoos, or the difference between blackwork and black and grey tattoos.
As humans, we’ve been marking our skin for a very long time.
Some people think of Polynesian or Asian cultures, while others think of pirates and criminals.
Regardless, tattoos have been symbols representing us for millennia.
We honour the ancient art of tattooing for the sake of aesthetic pleasure and a rite of passage.
Few are able to stop at just one.
We’ve done our best to embody the infinite world of tattooing with this style guide, but it’s impossible to list the sheer plentitude of tattoo options.
A tattoo is as unique as the individual who wears it.
So, it comes down to your own personal preference.
Don’t forget to keep in mind that you may choose to mix and match any of these styles.
You can have a realistic dot work tattoo or geometric sketch.
The possibilities are truly endless.
What images will represent you as you go about your daily life?
It may well be that clothes maketh NOT the man but your tattoo certainly does.
CLASSIC AMERICANA TATTOOS (OLD SCHOOL TRADITIONAL)
Also known as Traditional American, these tattoos are among the most well known Western tattoo styles.
It’s the first style your parents (or grandparents) will think of when you say you’re getting a tattoo.
It represents counterculture rebels and America’s tough-guy history.
Traits of traditional tattoos:
- Bold, saturated colours
- Simple colour palette
- Simple shading, if any
- Thick black outlines
- Precise and crisp two-dimensional images
- Elemental, clean designs (symbols and motifs)
This style is attributed to Norman Collins, aka Sailor Jerry, who learned the craft from Japanese hand poke tattoo artists.
Sailors would tattoo their nautical achievements at sea.
For example, a tattoo of King Neptune meant you crossed the Equator.
A sparrow tattoo would be earned for every 5,000 nautical miles traveled (which is roughly a quarter of the earth’s circumference).
When you think of flash tattoos on the walls of a tattoo studio, think traditional.
We have Classic Americana tattoos to thank for birthing other styles like New School, Neo traditional, Realism, and others you’ll read about here.
Choose this style for a tattoo that will age well and likely never go out of style (they haven’t yet!).
Watch this space for a look at the ultimate list of tattoo styles at a glance:
- Classic Americana Tattoos (Old School Traditional)
- New School
- Floral
- Art Fusion
- Neo-Traditional
- Black & Grey
- Chicano
- Stick & Poke
- Realism
- Hyperrealism
- Portraiture
- Trash Polka
- Blackwork
- Silhouette
- Anatomical
- Bio-mechanical
- Horror
- Surrealism
- Psychedelic
- Abstract
- Polygon
- Gradient
- Cover Up
- Blast Over
- Dot work
- Pointillism
- Minimalist
- Fine line
- Continuous Contour
- Outline
- Pinstripe
- Optical Illusion
- 3D Tattoos
- Sticker/Patch
- Broken Glass
- Glitch
- Inverted
- Negative Space
- Stained Glass
- Torn/ripped skin
- Wood carving
- Pop Art
- Pixel
- Graffiti
- Script
- Letters
- Quotes
- Ambigram
- Geometric
- Mandala
- Henna
- Japanese
- Mambo
- Ornamental
- Tribal
- Polynesian
- Maori
- Samoan
- Hawaiian
- Aboriginal Dreamtime
- Norse
- Celtic
- Mayan/Aztec
- Sak Yant (Thai Bamboo)
- East Asian
- South Asian
- North American
- Earth Lines
- Skin Stitching
- Watercolour
- Fantasy
- Paint brush stroke
- White Ink
- Illustrative
- Sketch
- Anime
- Comics
- UV Glow in the Dark
Still hungry for more? Check out these blogs from the archives;
Animal Tattoo Trends for Animal Lovers
Original article published here;
https://www.celebrityink.com/ultimate-tattoo-style-guide-examples-tattoos
