In order to draw a tattoo design that you’ll be happy with having on your skin for the remainder of your years, there are a number of considerations you’ll want to keep in mind. For starters, where on the body it will go and how your design will flow in your chosen area. You’ll also need to research the various styles to get an idea of how your design will translate onto your skin. You don’t want to be too quick to get the needle and ink out, it’s best to start by sketching your ideas on paper, focusing on bold, clear lines and simple shapes that can be easily transferred to skin. So, when you have your pen and paper at hand, make sue to think about the 'tattoo-ability' of your design to ensure that you come out with something that you can be proud of.
Designing a Tattoo: What Are the Different Tattoo Styles?
From Chinese calligraphy to realistic portraits, the world of tattoos is rich with choices. And if you want to draw a tattoo yourself, the first thing to do is determine a tattoo style. Are you into tribal patterns, or more old-school designs? First let’s take a look at the main tattoo styles to see what might suit you.
The Traditional Tattoo
This type is very well known in the tattoo world, one which is based on large black shapes and curved lines which these days has, unfortunately, lost its depth of meaning.
Many traditional tattoo designs carry specific meanings or represent personal values, often telling stories of adventure, love, or personal beliefs.
Originally, the tribes who practices tattooing – whether in Polynesia or Africa – aimed to signify a social rank, the belonging to a certain group.
These highly codified tattoos have a strong symbolism still today and are still very popular.
The Asian Tattoo
My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story.
Johnny Depp
Usually using Chinese or Japanese lettering, this style is strongly inspired by Asian art. The Yakuza, in particular, opted for this style of tattoo. Among the most used symbols, we often find the dragon, the samurai, the geisha, and the lotus.
The Celtic Tattoo
Composed of Celtic symbols and lettering, this style of tattoo is easily recognisable as a kind of tribal art, with the Celtic cross as the main motif. Discover different drawing lessons on Superprof.
They're not only visually striking but also rich in meaning.
The reason so many end up with these patterns on their skin is their cultural significance, spiritual symbolism, or simply for their aesthetic appeal.
The versatility of Celtic art allows for both small, delicate pieces and large, elaborate compositions that can cover entire body parts.
Realistic Tattoos
The realistic tattoo aims to faithfully reproduce a particular image. These really can be works of art, and require perfect mastery of the art of tattooing in order to achieve perfect results.
Realistic tattoos can represent many different things - they can be drawings of a face, a still life, a landscape – and it can be in black and white or in color. The end result should be a perfect copy of the original object, as if you’re looking at a photo. This type of tattoo is not for amateurs – it takes real skill to produce a piece of art like this, with particular attention being paid to the fine details so they are visible on skin.
Old School Tattoos
Often retro in style, with a rock and roll touch, the old school tattoo comes from 1930s America, inspired by the local culture of the era.
From Native Americans to pin-ups to bikers, this style was popularized by sailors who would take what was most dear to them symbolically through their tattoos.
For a long time, the old school tattoo was considered to be worn by delinquents and had a bad image.
Today, it’s returned to popular culture and has changed its reputation.
Graphic Tattoos
Graphic tattoos are abstract and artistic, and really give free rein to the imagination. It’s still a fairly recent style which has its origins in art, with each tattoo artist displaying their own unique style. You could take inspiration from manga and anime drawings too.
Whether it’s geometric, symbolic, motifs, objects, animals, the inspiration for graphic tattoos are varied and there is a total freedom of expression.
If you like the work or style of a particular tattoo artist, then why not trust him to design you your own tattoo?
He will create a unique work of art for your own skin.
Biomechanical Tattoos
This is still a very recent trend. The biomechanical tattoo, as the name suggests, combines mechanical and biological elements. With a focus on the futuristic, this style finds inspiration in science fiction. You could, for example, get a tattoo sleeve of a bionic arm drawn with a 3D effect!
Biomechanical style tattoos were inspired by H.R. Giger's biomechanical art, popularized by the "Alien" movie franchise.
If you're looking to bring your creation into reality and having it done on yourself or someone who took a liking to your design, you're going to want to leave it on capable hands. It's crucial to find an artist experienced in mechanical designs, as they require a high level of skill to execute effectively. The intricate details and shading necessary for a convincing mechanical look demand precision and expertise.
Dot Work Tattoos
Dot work is similar to the idea of pointillism painting. The technique consists of tattooing in lots of tiny dots. This gives the effect of different materials and textures, bringing a touch of originality and realism to the tattoo. The result is often a soft, almost ethereal appearance that can lend itself to both abstract and realistic designs. It certainly helps knowing that your tattoo design will stand the test of time. The style tends to age well, as the lack of solid lines can help the tattoo maintain its integrity over time.
Calligraphic/Writing Tattoos
Getting an inspirational phrase or quote is very common these days. What makes the difference between a good and a bad tattoo – apart from spelling mistakes, of course! – is the calligraphy used. Before getting a calligraphic tattoo, it’s essential to pick your favorite writing style.
And among all these new trends, there is also a new interest in white ink tattoos and 3D tattoos that create an optical illusion on the skin just like a real 3D drawing.
So, don't rush the process and make sure to leave yourself with plenty of time to explore all your options before making your final choice!
It also helps to make a number of drafts of varying styles throughout the design process. Learn about online drawing classes on Superprof.
How Can I Find a Tattoo Subject Before Designing It?
Before starting the first sketches of a tattoo, you need to determine which style you want to use and equally what your subject will be. This is obviously a very important step, because once it’s tattooed on your skin, it will remain there…unless you opt for some painful and expensive laser removal sessions. So make sure it’s something you won’t regret!
Tattoos are symbolic: beyond the aesthetic aspect, a tattoo is personal and expresses something important to the person who wears it.
There are so many possibilities - whether it’s a character, an abstract pattern, or any symbol, it’s important to find the right inspiration to create the perfect personalized tattoo.
- Use your own personal experience to find an important subject
- Explore different artistic references, look in art books, at street art, film, music
- Have a look at the work of your favorite tattoo artists
Tattoos are a graphic representation, just like designing a logo. For successful and satisfying results, it shouldn’t just be a message, but it should also be perfectly designed and executed.
There are two possibilities to consider:
- Designing your own tattoo: for this you will need to have a good grasp of the basics of drawing so that you can design an aesthetically pleasing tattoo which can then be reproduced on your skin.
- Go to a tattoo artist: you can tell the artist your ideas and wishes for your tattoo, and they will propose an original and creative design to you. A good tattoo artist is above all an experimental artist. To avoid any disappointment, it’s best to follow their advice.
5 Constraints of Designing a Tattoo
All tattoo artists will tell you: just because a drawing is beautiful, doesn’t mean it will make a beautiful tattoo. The reasons are simple – a tattoo must be designed taking into account certain constraints.
The Size of the Tattoo
It seems obvious. If you have a face tattooed in a 1 in. square area, you will not be able to add much detail whatsoever.
Remember to adjust the size of your tattoo according to the desired design.
The more realistic and detailed you want your tattoo to be, the bigger it will need to be to accommodate that.
So, if you wan't to show off all of the work you put into the design process, it might be worthwhile working alongside a tattoo artist.
You can also opt for some drawing classes NYC to help you create your own design.
Placement
Where will your tattoo be placed on your body? This is another essential question to ask before creating your tattoo. Remember that in this case, your skin is the paper or canvas, and a tattoo needs to be designed according to which part of the body it will go, be it arms, back, torso, neck…
The Colors
How many colors are there in your tattoo design? Make sure you take into account the fact that not everything can be transferred from a drawing to a tattoo. It’s not enough to just be a good artist when it comes to drawing an original tattoo, you need to understand the method too!
Some colors such as green, blue, and purple settle deeper into the skin, making them harder for lasers to reach and break down. So you should consider this when creating your future designs
Consistency
Different tattoos on a person should all harmonize together. But how can you make sure all your tattoos work well together? This is also an issue that shouldn’t be neglected. If each tattoo is unique, they must all nonetheless find a place next to each other.
Who Will Execute the Tattoo?
This is the question that makes all the difference.
If you have a very precise idea in mind that you have designed yourself, you need to find a tattoo artist you will respect it as faithfully as possible.
Everyone has their own style and technique. If your design has too many colors or effects, it’s possible that slight adaptations or modifications will be necessary to make the tattoo work.
Have a Tutor from Superprof Help You With Your Next Design
By working with a tutor from Superprof who's offering tattoo design lessons, you'll be able to learn all about the technical aspects of tattoo design, such as how certain designs and colors may age over time. This means you'll come away with designs that are built to last, as well as look good!
While you might grasp the basics of drawing rather quickly, however, understanding how design tattoos that complement different body parts is a skill that take a considerable chunk of time. Working with a tutor from Superprof while you navigate the design process is a great way of ensuring that your work flows well with natural contours.
Superprof is also more than helpful for aspiring tattoo artists, as they'll be able to help in creating a strong portfolio of designs that you can use to showcase your ability, or keep to yourself!
Choose the Right Tattoo Artist to Get the Tattoo of Your Dreams!
Whether or not you know how to draw, the key to a successful tattoo lies with the person who will eventually create it. And finding the right person for job isn’t always an easy task. Take the time to do your research, have a look at their achievements, style and reviews before you get started.
Most tattoo artists will be able to show you their tattoo catalog, which will include original and unique tattoo designs that they’ve previously done. Feel free to browse your local tattoo studios to see if you’ll find the right tattoo template. Don’t forget that there’s no shame in using a tattoo that you find in a catalog or online! Whether it is a character drawn in comic-book style or a simple band, it just might be the case that your perfect future tattoo has already been imagined by a tattoo artist.
If this isn’t the case, most artists will offer to draw a custom tattoo for you to help you in the decision process. Simply explain your approach and what you want the tattoo to symbolize or represent for you, and the tattoo artist will be able to offer you an original tattoo design based on your ideas. And never forget that tattoos are permanent! If you’re having doubts, why not test out a semi-permanent or temporary tattoo to get more concrete idea before going for the real thing?
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