American Traditional Tattoos
The traditional tattoo style features bold, clean lines, a simple colour palette, and minimal use of shading.
Best described as a tattoo that looks like a real tattoo, it uses bright and classic images such as hearts, swallows, roses, daggers, panthers, snakes and pin-up models.
Japanese Tattoo
One of the most popular styles of tattoo art, Japanese tattoos have a rich history.
They are steeped in meaning and purpose, derived from the Japanese culture.
The Japanese tattoo style began as a way to convey social status and provide symbolic protection through spiritual devotion.
Black and gray
Making use of only black ink in varying shades, the black and grey tattoo style had very simple and humble beginnings, but has since moved on to be a very popular art form in the tattoo world.
The black and grey tattoo style began in prisons, as inmates only had access to one colour of ink – black – to use with their tattoos. Tattoos were prohibited, so prisoners would have to create their tattoos in secrecy, making use of whatever materials that they could find.
Inmates would use guitar strings or safety pins for needles, and cigarette ash or pen ink to create their tattoos.
After leaving the prison system, many former inmates would choose to continue getting tattoos in the black and grey style, to match the prison tattoos that they already had. The tattoo artists that they visited had access to better equipment, and so were able to create more intricate levels of shading for the black and grey tattoos, which we still see in the style today.
Geometric Tattoos
The geometric tattoo style is simple and bold, making use only of geometric shapes and lines, and drawing much inspiration from tribal cultures and sacred patterns found in nature.
Some of the most popular images in the geometric style are spirals, circles, nautilus shells, the flower of life, and the Gordian knot.
Many geometric tattoos draw upon deep meanings, such as those found in Sacred Geometry, which refers to shapes and patterns that are found in nature, and therefore perfectly symmetrical.
For example, a cube symbolizes earth, a tetrahedron symbolizes fire, an octahedron symbolizes air, an icosahedron symbolizes water, and a dodecahedron symbolizes spirit.
Some people believe that tattooing geometrical shapes on certain parts of their body will bring them good health, either physically or spiritually, as well as acting as amulets or talismans for protection.
Lettering/Script Tattoos
Many people choose to integrate script into their tattoos, or even choose to use script as a standalone tattoo style.
Script tattoos can be a bold choice, full of meaning and importance, and with many inspirations. Some of the most popular choices for going with a script style tattoo include memorials and remembrances of lost loved ones, as well as dedications to a favorite pet, band, or artist. Religious or spiritual meanings, such as Biblical verses, are also popular with fans of the script style, as well as personal mantras, mottos, or favorite quotes.
Script style tattoos can make use of many different types of script lettering, and most tattoo artists have a style that they prefer to use in their work, unless otherwise requested. Some of the most popular types of lettering found in script tattoos are:
Traditional: Popularized by legendary tattoo artist, Sailor Jerry, traditional lettering uses thick, blocky letters with thin lines for embellishment.
Traditional lettering uses clean, sharp lines and is usually two-toned, allowing flesh tones to peek through.
Old English: Bold yet ornate, with roots that date back to the 12th century, this style of lettering is also known as “Black letters,” and refers to the style of language spoken and written in Europe during the Middle Ages.
West Coast: Similar to Old English, this ornate font is even more stylized with drop shadows or beveled enhancements, and is sometimes known as “Chicano lettering.”
Typewriter: Used mostly for literary quotes, this style of lettering is crisp and clear, and looks great with complementary images related to the chosen quote.
Calligraphy: This type of lettering is an art form in itself, and has ancient roots in many cultures, having been painted by hand with brushes and ink. Striking and beautiful, this style can be a standalone design or incorporated with images.
Handwritten: Used for the most personal of script style tattoos, handwritten lettering adds deep meaning, and is frequently used in memorial or dedication tattoos.
