Black and grey
Uses black ink and diluted values to create contrast, depth, and tonal transitions without full color.
- Layered grey values
- Controlled highlights and dark anchors
- Smooth or textured shading
- Portraits and sculpture
- Animals and nature
- Narrative illustrative pieces
Planning Notes
Reference quality, contrast, placement, and size determine how much fine detail can remain readable.
Explore Black and greyRealism
Aims for recognizable subjects through proportion, value, texture, and detailed rendering.
- Accurate proportion
- Dimensional light and shadow
- Careful texture and edge control
- Portraits
- Wildlife
- Objects and cinematic scenes
Planning Notes
Realistic work usually benefits from clear high-resolution references and enough scale for the essential features.
Explore RealismFine line
Emphasizes delicate line weight and controlled detail; scale and placement strongly affect readability.
- Delicate outlines
- Open negative space
- Restrained detail and shading
- Botanicals
- Small symbolic work
- Refined ornamental motifs
Planning Notes
The artist may simplify dense references or recommend a larger size to preserve separation between lines.
Explore Fine lineTraditional
Typically uses bold outlines, clear shapes, strong contrast, and an established visual vocabulary.
- Bold linework
- Compact color palettes
- Simple readable silhouettes
- Roses and animals
- Daggers and maritime subjects
- Classic flash-inspired compositions
Planning Notes
Strong shapes and deliberate spacing help traditional tattoos stay visually clear across many placements.
Explore TraditionalNeo-traditional
Builds on bold illustrative foundations with expanded color, detail, dimension, and decorative form.
- Varied bold lines
- Rich color and dimensional shading
- Decorative framing
- Animals and portraits
- Botanical subjects
- Mythic and imaginative imagery
Planning Notes
A clear focal point and supporting decorative elements keep detailed compositions balanced on the body.
Explore Neo-traditionalIllustrative
Draws from illustration and can combine line, texture, stylization, and narrative composition.
- Expressive drawing
- Flexible line and texture
- Narrative or graphic composition
- Story-driven scenes
- Stylized figures and creatures
- Surreal combinations
Planning Notes
References can mix subject, mood, composition, and rendering style when each image is clearly explained.
Explore IllustrativeLettering
Centers on readable type, custom letterforms, spacing, flow, and placement.
- Purposeful letterforms
- Balanced spacing
- Placement-aware baseline and flow
- Names and short phrases
- Custom script
- Decorative wordmarks
Planning Notes
Provide exact spelling and punctuation. Size, letter complexity, and placement all affect long-term readability.
Explore LetteringColor
Uses a planned palette and value structure; design choices should consider contrast, skin, scale, and long-term clarity.
- Intentional palette
- Clear light and dark structure
- Saturated or muted color relationships
- Botanical and animal subjects
- Illustrative scenes
- Bold graphic designs
Planning Notes
Color references should explain palette and mood while leaving room for the artist to balance contrast and composition.
Explore ColorGeometric
Uses measured shapes, repetition, symmetry, or pattern, often requiring placement-aware alignment.
- Precision and repetition
- Symmetry or controlled asymmetry
- Structured negative space
- Mandala forms
- Pattern systems
- Architectural and abstract compositions
Planning Notes
Straight-on placement photos help the artist account for body curves, movement, alignment, and existing tattoos.
Explore GeometricJapanese-inspired
Uses established compositional flow, symbolic subjects, background elements, and body-aware scale; respectful terminology matters.
- Large flowing composition
- Bold silhouettes
- Connected foreground and background elements
- Koi, dragons, and animals
- Flowers and seasonal elements
- Sleeves and large body projects
Planning Notes
Subject relationships, direction, body flow, and cultural context should be discussed as part of the design process.
Explore Japanese-inspiredOrnamental
Builds decorative rhythm through pattern, line, symmetry, and body-contouring composition.
- Repeating motifs
- Symmetry and visual rhythm
- Body-framing shapes
- Chest and sternum pieces
- Back and shoulder compositions
- Bands and placement accents
Planning Notes
The design is adjusted directly to the placement so central lines, curves, and negative spaces follow the body.
Explore OrnamentalMinimalist
Reduces the idea to essential forms; apparent simplicity still requires deliberate scale and execution.
- Economical line and shape
- Generous negative space
- One clear focal idea
- Symbols and small scenes
- Abstract linework
- Compact nature and celestial subjects
Planning Notes
Simplification is part of the design. The artist may remove small details so the idea remains clear at the chosen size.
Explore Minimalist