Tattoo with a history: tattoo styles and what's behind them
Every tattoo is different - and yet there are different tattoo styles into which body art can be summarized. Well, yes - at least to some extent. Because tattoos are art and art breaks boundaries.
The boundaries between tattoo styles are sometimes blurred. Nevertheless, take a look at what is possible and let yourself be inspired! We present the most popular tattoo styles so that you can get an overview. And don't forget: Tattoo artists are artists. Every artist has their own style!
From single lines to fine line networks: Fineline tattoos and single line tattoos
Here we summarize two tattoo styles a little. Fineline tattoos consist of fine lines and are anything but simple in their intricate design. The artists select small motifs and add countless details to them. Fineline tattoos can only really be done cleanly by artists who have a lot of experience.
This is due to the way the lines are stitched under the skin. Your skin consists of different layers. The needle places the ink between two layers of skin. If this is too superficial, the tattoo fades quickly and may even partially disappear. This is because your skin is constantly renewing itself. If the tattoo is too deep, the colors run and the body partially removes the pigments. With a fineline tattoo, every single pinprick has to be in exactly the right place. And that's not so easy.
Single line tattoos are sometimes treated as a separate tattoo style, sometimes as a subtype of the fineline tattoo. Here, the artists create the entire motif from a single, continuous line that repeatedly intertwines and crosses with itself, creating a complex motif.
Fineline & Singleline Tattoos
Mandala tattoos: round thing!
Round, symmetrically arranged and somehow self-contained: Mandalas radiate peace and harmony. The word "mandala" comes from the Sanskrit language and means "circle". The artistically constructed images have been used for many thousands of years. Ancient church windows or rock paintings in South America - we find mandalas in almost all cultures and religions.
Symmetry, geometric shapes and colors have a psychological effect on the viewer. Numerical symbolism is also frequently used. Flowers are popular motifs, especially the lotus as a symbol of loyalty and purity.
Mandala
Lettering and lettering tattoos
We refer to the tattooed words, lettering, dates or number codes as tattoo letterings. How exactly the lettering runs depends on the part of the body where the tattoo appears. The font and lettering are therefore individually adapted to the body part. It is important that you really trust the artist. This is because the font is selected with the three-dimensionality of your body in mind. The fonts you know from books and the internet are designed for two-dimensional media and do not work on the human body.
Tattoos with lettering, words and entire sentences are very popular these days. However, there are significant differences in the implementation of lettering under the skin. A truly unique tattoo is created when the tattoo artist understands and internalizes your motivations and creates the lines freehand. You develop a vision together during the consultation. An idea is created, which is then applied to your skin with the help of the tattoo machine and needle. Trust and a deep understanding are of the utmost importance. So take the time we give you and discuss every single detail in detail with your chosen artist.
Lettering & lettering
Dotwork: Optical illusion creates depth
Dotwork means "dot work". Your tattoo is made up of a multitude of tiny dots. But you can only see this up close. From a distance, the color areas look totally realistic, shading included. Areas of color? Isn't dotwork black and grey?
Dotwork describes the drawing style in which the tattoo is created. It can be black and grey, but can also be colorful. Geometric, mandalas, ornaments - anything is possible. For the finest work, dotwork artists put their machines aside and work by hand. This is real art!
Dotwork
Realistic Black and Grey - stylish!
Breathtaking depth of field, detailed shading and the flair of artistic black and white photography - that is the Realistic Black and Grey style.
The motifs do not have to show real objects or photographs. Anything you like is allowed - from your heroes from movies, series and games to your pet, family members (keyword portrait) and motifs developed especially for you.
Legend has it that Black and Grey tattoos originated in American prisons. The simple symbols developed into the realism we know today.
Realistic Black and Grey
Color tattoos: Realism
Now it's getting colorful! Color tattoos are the ultimate eye-catcher. This is not a tattoo style in itself, but simply a way of creating an effect. Color tattoos can be anything from realism and anime to mandala and dotwork. A subtype is color tattoos, which manage with one or two colors and appear monochrome.
Traditional tattoo styles often work with blue, green, red and perhaps yellow. Today, color tattoos are full-color, with everything from pink, turquoise, purple, orange and even white. Here too, the rule is: whatever you like is allowed.
Color tattoos
Small but mighty: micro realism
Bigger is better? Maybe - but not when it comes to tattoos! Micro realism is a style that celebrates the small details and the finest work. Designed with absolute realism and nuanced down to the finest details, the small-format works of art look amazingly lifelike.
There are no restrictions when it comes to motifs. Micro realism simply means that your tattoo looks extremely fine and realistic thanks to the latest technologies. It is important that you have your tattoo done by experienced artists. Micro realism requires skill and experience.
Micro realism
Anime gets under your skin!
We know Japanese animated films as anime. The drawing style stands out with clear, bold lines, bright colors and expressive faces and is probably Japan's most successful export product! The emotionally charged depictions of heroes, animals, villains and entire universes get under your skin - as a tattoo in the literal sense.
No matter whether you are a fan of manga, anime or simply a fan of the art of drawing: experienced artists will transfer the portraits of your loved ones into this style or engrave any character from anime, manga or games.
Anime
Whip shading: technique for volume
Whip shading is a special technique for adding depth and volume to your tattoo motif. Unlike dotwork or graphic art, the technique is not noticeable. Your tattoo can be effective without the artist's technique being visible.
Depth, volume and texture are created by applying the colors as a gradient from light to dark. The art of whip shading is to apply the color under the skin in exactly the right concentration. The swinging hand movement when tattooing is called "to whip".
Whip Shading
