Exploring Tattoo Styles
My Guide to Styles, Aesthetics, and their Origins
Tattoo styles are as diverse as the cultures, the times, the technical advancements and personal expressions they represent. Each style offers a unique aesthetic and historical significance, which allows customers and artists to connect with traditions or explore new creative paths in the present. Below is a breakdown of some popular tattoo styles, from the origins of traditional styles to more recent and unconventional approaches.
1. Traditional or Old School Tattooing
Origins & Characteristics:
Tattooing in the UK dates back to at least the late 18th century, gaining early attention when Captain James Cook returned from his voyages to Polynesia in the 1770s, bringing the concept and term “tattoo” (from the Tahitian “tatau”) back to Europe. Among the pioneers were Sutherland Macdonald (1860–1942) in London, and George Burchett (1872–1953) in Brighton, both exploring motifs such as dragons, nautical symbolism, circus themes etc.
In the early 20th century, American tattooing flourished among sailors and military personnel, with Sailor Jerry (1911–1973) defining the Old School American style, adding iconic symbols like eagles, pin-up girls, skulls, roses, pop culture etc.
American Traditional : Can feature patriotic and nautical motifs, thick outlines, solid and limited colour palette. Don Ed Hardy developed the style by blending its bold lines and iconic imagery with Japanese tattoo influences, adding more depth, symbolism, and abstract forms to the style.
European Traditional: Is more detailed and often includes folklore and mythological elements. Both British Traditionals & Italian Traditionals usually use thinner lines, more complex designs, and often dimmer tones. This sub-styles often features decorative patterns, subtle black shading, and an elegant colour palette, often using traditional Japanese motifs in the case of Sutherland MacDonald (1860–1942), or eagles, dragons and women in our contemporary Stizzo Best Of Times.
Mutant Traditional (Spanish Traditional): A playful, surreal spin on traditional American and Japanese with distorted proportions and exaggerated forms, blending classic motifs with a modern, experimental touch. Designs that feel both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Artists working in this style might blend vintage imagery—such as swallows, roses, or skulls—with futuristic or unsettling elements, resulting in tattoos that are at once familiar and otherworldly. The influence of surrealism and comic book art can often be seen in these designs, as well as a bolder, more conceptual use of colour. A good way to get familiar with the range of artists is to explore the podcast Classic Tattoo Spain (in spanish only).
2. Japanese (Irezumi)
Tattooing in Japan has a very ancient history with evidence of the practice going back to the third century b.c. The kind of japanese tattooing we think of today started in the late 17th century. Is known for its rich iconography, including koi fish, dragons, and cherry blossoms. Using vibrant colors and full-body coverage, this style often tells stories or conveys cultural symbolism. Modern Japanese tattoo artists blend traditional themes with contemporary tattooing techniques.
3. Neo-Traditional
Evolving from the Traditional style, Neo-Traditional tattoos incorporate a wider colour palette, intricate linework, and complex shading techniques. They often feature nature-inspired themes like animals and flowers, with a more illustrative and complex elements. Neo-Traditional tattoos can be highly personalised, often blending realism with stylised forms, taken from art movements such as Art Nouveau.
4. Realism
Realism tattoos strive for lifelike representations of portraits, animals, or nature. The rise of advanced machines and inks in the 20th century allowed for detailed shading and gradient work, making realistic tattoos possible. The style requires knowledge in realistic shading and light effects, a meticulous technique, capturing shadows, textures, and fine details often to bring photorealistic images to life on skin.
5. Blackwork
Blackwork tattoos include any style that uses black ink alone, ranging from abstract shapes to detailed geometric patterns. This category also encompasses styles inspired by Polynesian and other Tribal tattooing traditions, which are rich in cultural symbols and often use solid black shapes and intricate patterns.
6. Tribal
Rooted in Indigenous cultures worldwide, Tribal tattoos are often created with bold black lines and abstract or symbolic designs. These tattoos traditionally represent identity, status, and spiritual beliefs. Modern Tribal tattoos draw on the visual strength of these motifs while often merging with other styles. Some examples are Polynesian (including Maori, Samoan etc) Borneo, 90s Tribals or Neo-tribals.
7. Folk Style
Folk tattoos draw on traditional folk art from various cultures, often characterized by simplicity, symbolic motifs, and a hand-drawn aesthetic. These designs frequently use themes from nature, folklore, and cultural symbolism. Folk tattoos embrace a "primitive" or raw look, valuing cultural meaning and individuality over refined technique, often showcasing bold colors, simple linework, and iconic imagery.
8. Ornamental
Ornamental tattoos focus on decorative designs, including mandalas, sacred geometry, and jewelry-inspired motifs. This style prioritizes symmetry and often incorporates elaborate, intricate patterns, aiming for a balanced and aesthetically harmonious look in line with the shapes of the body.
9. Watercolor
This style mimics the appearance of watercolor paintings, using soft gradients, vibrant colors, and a lack of traditional black outlines. Watercolor tattoos are ideal for floral and abstract designs, offering a light, painterly aesthetic on the skin.
10. Ignorant Style
Originating in prisons and the DIY tattoo scene, the Ignorant Style is purposefully naive, almost amateur approach, with simple or rough linework and often humorous or ironic content. This style challenges conventional tattooing norms and prioritises conceptual and self-expression over technical perfection, creating designs that feel sketchy and unfiltered. Popularised by artists like Fuzi UVTPK, Ignorant Style often includes crude depictions, pop culture references, and unpolished imagery.
11. Fine Line
Fine Line tattoos are defined by delicate, thin lines and minimal shading. Often used for small, intricate designs, this style can be applied to various themes, from florals to geometric shapes. The precision required for Fine Line work has grown in popularity, especially for people seeking subtle and elegant tattoos.
12. Illustrative
Influenced by classic illustration techniques, this style uses varied line weights, stippling, and shading to mimic woodcuts or pen-and-ink drawings. It often features storytelling elements inspired by folklore or natural themes.
13. Minimalism
Minimalist tattoos feature fine lines, minimal shading, and often a monochromatic palette. Known for simplicity, they include small symbols, line drawings, and text, appealing to those who prefer a subtle aesthetic.
14. New School
With roots in street art, New School tattoos are characterized by bright colors, exaggerated proportions, and surreal, cartoonish elements. They create bold, attention-grabbing designs.
15. Surrealism
Surrealism tattoos combine realistic and fantastical elements in imaginative, dreamlike compositions. They draw from the Surrealist art movement, creating tattoos that challenge reality.
16 Dotwork
Dotwork tattoos use dots for shading and detail, creating intricate patterns or shading gradients. They’re often used in mandalas, geometric patterns, and detailed portraits, usually in black ink or muted color palettes.
17. Geometric
Geometric tattoos are defined by shapes, symmetry, and precise lines. Often including natural elements, they range from simple designs to intricate patterns and require technical precision for a balanced, striking look.
CONCLUSION
Each tattoo style offers a unique form of self-expression, and having a glipse of these styles can help you choose the one or ones that align with your personality, aesthetic, and story. Every artist nowadays chooses what suits them best and often develops unique styles based or just influenced by other pioneer or contemporary artists.
Follow my journey in the discovery of my own style and how it connects to the variety of established styles, in a future entry.
