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    Tattoo Art
    Tattoo Art
    Tattoo Art
    Ebook336 pages30 minutes

    Tattoo Art

    By Doralba Picerno

    2.5/5

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    About this ebook

    From the delicate cherry blossom tree to a fearsome falcon, tattoos are testament to the everlasting connection between man and art.

    Presenting the very best in tattoo art, this inspirational sourcebook is a great starting point for anyone wanting to acquire a tattoo who is unsure of the creative possibilities. Filled with stunning photographic images, it showcases the talent of top artists from around the world.

    This extensive gallery is arranged into imaginative sections, including:
    • Famous faces
    • Fantasy
    • Pin-up girls
    • Cartoon characters and humorous scenes
    • Personal narratives and symbolism
    • Abstract art and dot work.

    This book will appeal equally to both prospective and seasoned tattoo enthusiasts as well as those simply interested in immersing themselves in this intriguing decorative art.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcturus Publishing
    Release dateJun 6, 2013
    ISBN9781782126683
    Tattoo Art

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      Book preview

      Tattoo Art - Doralba Picerno

      INTRODUCTION

      Iremember a time, not so long ago, when tattoos were regarded with suspicion and the people sporting them were invariably assumed to lead ‘colourful’ lives. How things change! Today tattoos have lost their stigma and are essential accessories for many followers of street fashion. While a visible tattoo might hamper your chance of working in a bank, it will not necessarily affect your employment prospects elsewhere. When Lady Gaga feels compelled to mimic Zombie Boy’s well-known facial tattoo in one of her videos, it is clear that permanent skin designs have seeped undeniably into the mainstream.

      One of the most interesting aspects of modern tattooing is the way in which its designs have evolved to reflect the zeitgeist. As tattoo practice has become more widespread, techniques have become more refined, allowing artists to develop new skills and push the boundaries of what a tattoo is expected to look like.

      As a consequence, this has led to the development of technologies to remove unwanted body art. Many studios offer laser treatment for the removal of bad tattoos or simply to lighten the tattoo before covering it with a more attractive piece of art. A tattoo is no longer forever, but its removal is painful and time-consuming. Some inks are harder to remove than others, and treatments cost more than the original tattoo, so be sure to choose your artist and tattoo wisely!

      What constitutes a ‘bad’ tattoo is a matter of opinion, but people who have had laser treatment to remove their tattoos describe some common characteristics. Often the offending tattoo is an old one: perhaps the person had it done when he or she was young, failed to choose an artist wisely and was not sufficiently discerning about the quality of work or its subject matter, or the positioning of the tattoo on the body. Sometimes the tattoo is on a part of the body that is seldom covered – the head or hands, for example – which may cause problems in terms of interaction with others or of employability. Other ‘bad’ tattoos may simply be poor artwork consisting of uneven lines, colours that ‘bleed’ into one another, and badly proportioned images. In some instances, the tattoo may not have aged well and what started out as very intricate work now just looks messy.

      I have worked in the tattoo industry for a number of years and seen trends come and go or evolve into new styles entirely.

      Tattoos have become increasingly complex. Between the 1930s and the 1970s, the predominant style was that of basic two-dimensional designs depicting naval motifs, pin-ups and good-luck charms; the quality and tonal range of these tattoos were dictated by the inks and equipment available at the time. Today’s artists can achieve much more sophisticated results by replicating painterly and photographic effects on people’s skin.

      The revival of 1950s fashions in recent years has seen a resurgence of the traditional pin-up, both as an icon and a model of beauty to which girls may aspire. Of course, at the dawn of the 21st century the pin-up is street-wise – no longer naïve and supplicating, but strong and independent. This spirit is reflected in the ubiquity of female tattoo artists, a greater number of visible tattoos on women and a wider choice of subject matter in tattoo designs.

      In the 1980s and 1990s, black ink tribal work and monochrome biomechanic designs inspired by H. R. Giger’s artwork were all the rage. However, now a fashion for new traditionally coloured pieces and photo-realistic tattoos has taken naval and portrait work to a different level. The earlier trends have not completely disappeared but have merely adapted to the changing sensibilities of artists and clients. These trends have evolved into a range of genres that are often blended in an organic fusion style. One of the oldest genres in the tattoo world, the Japanese style, is interpreted by countless artists even though few of them have trained with Japanese tattoo masters. But the iconography and strength of the symbols are so captivating that this has become one

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