Top 15 Tattoo Styles
Tattoo styles are many and very varied. Tattoos have been with humanity for millennia and can represent infinite things, but what do they mean to you?
Man has always dyed his skin with permanent marks: whether tribal symbols, protection totems, military patents, names of loved ones or sacred images; the tattoo transforms the body into a work of art and tells the story of whoever carries it.
Throughout history, man’s passion for tattoos has not diminished. Rather, the trend in many cases has become a way of life. All over the world, men and women continue to honor the ancient art of tattooing, some for ritual tradition, others for aesthetic pleasure. For many, getting a tattoo is a ritual, and after getting the first one, few stop.
It is simply impossible to list the myriad of tattoo styles that exist. A tattoo is as unique as the person who chooses it. One thing is certain: tattooing is a lifelong commitment and what we wear under our skin will undoubtedly stay with us until the end of our days.
So when considering getting a tattoo, the question remains: what is sacred to you? Which emblem speaks of your own struggles and triumphs, as well as your mood and tendency to live life to the fullest? Do you live with intensity and boldness, speak loudly, or do you prefer the smallest and most subtle mysteries that remain discreetly seductive?
What are the best tattoo styles?
Clothes can’t make a man, but the paint you wear on your body can represent a deeper transformation. When it comes to getting tattoos, the only rule is to stay true to yourself. That said, let’s explore 15 different tattoo styles:
1. Traditional
The traditional style is known for its bold lines, vivid colors and iconic designs like roses, anchors and beautiful female faces. The masters of traditional style tattoos are recognized worldwide and their creations are considered authentic works of art.
This tattoo style has one of the best known and most loved aesthetics within the community. They are beautiful from the start, age well and are immersed in the history of tattooing. It’s hard to go wrong with a piece of this genre!
2. Tattoo Styles: Realism
The pictorial movement of classical realism that we’ve enjoyed since the Renaissance has also made its way into the world of tattoos. This style has grown in refinement and popularity over the last few decades.
You can see it in amazing color portraits, but also in black and grey. You’ll also find realistic representations of nature and almost every other phenomenon imaginable.
3. Tattoo styles: watercolor
This style is in fashion. It is much sought after by those who seem to be looking for something new to adapt to the new millennium.
They look like watercolor images. However, appearances can be deceiving: while it’s easy to create this aesthetic when working with real watercolors on paper or canvas, doing it with paint on the human body is not an easy task. Still, artists make all sorts of whimsical and poetic pieces using this innovative approach to tattooing.
4. Tribal
Indigenous body art or tribal tattoos are the oldest in the world, and their origin dates back thousands of years. In fact, this tattoo style should be considered multi-style as there are as many trends as there are traditions in indigenous communities around the world.
Under the term “tribal”, you find a universe of tattoos. While all of these styles are unique, they are similar in one thing: they are almost always done in black based on already elaborate patterns.
5. Tattoo Styles: New School
Don’t let the name fool you. The new school is not so new anymore. It had its heyday in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but has declined in popularity recently, probably because it was a product of its time. These tattoos have a cartoon aesthetic, icons of popular entertainment from that era in American history.
The style is cartoonish and carefree, with caricatures and other exaggerated figures. If you’re the type of person who likes body art injected with the spirit of Ren and Stimpy, then this style is for you.
6. Tattoo styles: neo-traditional
Neo-traditional tattooing is an evolution of the traditional style. It has the main properties of traditional tattooing, such as sharp lines and extremely vibrant colors, but it also has a more illustrative quality.
This is because neo-traditional artists are heavily influenced by Art Nouveau and Art Deco aesthetics. Pieces made in this style are known for their exuberant decorative details, in addition to the use of natural images such as flowers and animals.
7. Japanese
The traditional Japanese style is influenced by woodcuts which were very popular in their time (1603-1868) among the merchant class. Therefore, the icons of this genre of body art are figures of Japanese folklore.
Legendary creatures, lotus flowers and Japanese letters come together to create the ultimate tribute to oriental culture. Each tattoo in this style tells a story about Japan’s rich past and, in addition to their dramatic appearance of smoke and waves, that’s what makes this style’s masterpieces so powerful.
8. Blackwork
This style covers a wide range of options. It is applied to almost all body art created exclusively with black ink. You can find everything from highly detailed designs to ancient sacred geometry. It’s a very wide field.
This style is arguably the most used. He is a leading figure in the cutting edge of tattoo art.
9. Tattoo Styles: Commitment/Writing
Do you have a favorite phrase or a powerful word? Many wear a tattoo to carry it around with them always. Quotes work best with a simple font, while simple words look great when embellished.
Many dating tattoos can be found on the forearm, upper chest, or lower back.
10. Dotted
Dotted tattoos take the art of dotwork to the next level. While creating dotwork tattoos requires a lot of skill, pointillism pieces require even more.
With this technique, high dot density areas give the appearance of solid blocks of color and allow for unparalleled levels of shading and blending. Usually done in black, some color can be added to get a different effect.
11. Tattoo Styles: Optical Illusion
People will have to look twice at an optical illusion tattoo to fully appreciate its complexity. Tattoo artists can create illusions so realistic that it looks like there’s a hole in your hand.
Is your arm really carved from wood? These tattoos make people stop and think about what they’re seeing.
12. Minimalist
Simple. Short and sweet. Sober. A minimalist tattoo is all that. Minimalist tattoos dispense with elaborate designs of other styles in exchange for a simple word or small picture.
Often symbolic for the user, the meaning is not always clear to the viewer. This is a great way to express yourself without drawing too much attention.
13. Glows in the dark/UV light
The glow-in-the-dark tattoo style with UV ink. Within the various styles of tattoos, this represents a new level. Ultraviolet (UV) ink absorbs light during the day and glows when it gets dark.
Use it to highlight existing ink on an old tattoo or to add artwork that’s only visible at night. This style reminds us that not everything is what it seems, and we often change when the lights go out.
14. Tattoo Styles: 3D
If you want body art that stands out and draws attention, this is your style. While the skin can be flat/curved, artists today can spice up just about any image you have in mind.
Three-dimensional tattoos take modern tattooing to a whole new level. From urban skylines to cartoon characters, geometric shapes and more. If you want a tattoo that really stands out and is unique, 3D is the way to go.
15. Biomechanics
If you like gears or just the Terminator movie franchise , you’ll love the biomechanical tattoo styles. These styles usually include 3D gears, cables, metal parts and more, all connected below the surface of the skin.
If you’ve always wanted an arm or leg of an electronic robot, but just couldn’t afford one, here’s your chance to get it.
Now that you know the different styles of tattoos, are you excited to get one? Remember that choosing a tattoo is a delicate process, as it will stay with you forever.
