3 Common Styles of Tattooing

Tattooing has been around for thousands of years, and over time, many different styles of tattooing have emerged. Tattoo artists around the world specialize in different tattoo styles, giving each client a unique piece of artwork on their bodies. And because about 49% of people with tattoos agree that the reputation of the artist or studio is the most important factor to consider when choosing a shop, it’s clear that people care about the style artists tattoo in. So if you’re looking to get a tattoo, consider one of these popular styles for your ink.

Realism: Like suggested in the name, realism tattoos feature realistic-looking images of people, places, and objects. This style is often used for portraits due to the ability to make the tattoo actually look like the person who is the subject of the art. Pop culture tattoos are often done in realism if someone wants a realistic portrait of a favorite celebrity. But it can be extremely difficult to make a realistic-looking tattoo, so if you’re looking for realism, make sure the artist you choose has previous examples to show you.

New School: This style of tattooing became really popular in the 80s and 90s and has since then gained even more popularity. New school tattoos often feature animation in a cartoonish style — features and figures are generally exaggerated a bit to give the tattoo a caricature feel. This style is perfect for someone who is looking to get a piece that takes them back to that classic 90s Saturday morning cartoon style.

Watercolor: Unlike other styles of tattoo designs, watercolor tattoos stay away from heavy linework and outlining. Just like watercolor paintings, watercolor tattoos use colors that blend together and fade out towards the edges, rather than coming to a harsh edge. Because of the lack of outlining, this style can be difficult to master. But if done correctly, clients can have a painting-like piece of artwork on their body.

These are just a few of the many different styles of tattoos. But whether you’re looking into getting pop culture tattoos, a tattoo cover-up, or anything in between, choosing a style is a great place to start.