As a right of passage for most teenagers in this day and age, when we turn 18 we take our closest friend and go to a local tattoo shop. These are the tattoos that our parents hate and these are the tattoos we will look back on, one day, and wonder why we got them. October 3rd is my birthday (yes, like in Mean Girls) and for my birthday I am determined to get a tattoo despite my parents’ disapproval. Upon coming to college, I have seen hundreds of people with all different kinds of tattoos from all over the world.
It should be noted that this is an introduction. For more information check out this article and this one.
Realism
Photo courtesy of @tere_a
Realism tattoos are going to be pretty much exactly what it says: they are real. Many realism tattoos are portraits, but that does not mean it is limited to this. They have shading to make them 3D and realistic, and they can either be monochromatic or colors. Realism tattoos are normally pretty big, and some of the most common examples can be found illustrated on YouTube sensation and empress, Jeffree Star.
Traditional
Phot courtesy of skinfactorytattoo.com
Traditional tattoos are what the youth of today would call “vintage.” These tattoos are generally realistic and stick to a theme. When I think of traditional tattoos, I think of old big burly men with their mom’s name tattooed in a heart on their shoulder. Snakes, anchors, pinup girls, skulls, lions, roses, are a few examples. The colors in the tattoos are often more punchy, bright, and vivid. The colors are mainly primary colors, so crimson red, lemon yellow, and bright blue.
Fine Line
Photo courtesy of Fortune Johnny
Fine line tattoos are my personal favorite, and in my opinion, are one of the most popular with millennials and Generation-Z kids. Fine line tattoos favor a more minimalist style. The lines are very thin, dainty, and delicate. These tattoos are generally simpler, and generally just lines, which means there is no shading. They offer a more elegant and chic look.
Watercolor
Photo courtesy of Deanna Wardin
Watercolor tattoos seek to emulate the effect of watercolor paintings on the skin. These tattoos feature pastel colors that are soft and not as bright and punchy. It is important to note that all tattoo styles can be used together and overlap. You could have a tattoo that incorporates fine line, watercolor, and traditional styles.
Script
Photo courtesy of Erica Flannes
Script means words, so whether you know it or not, your friends who have their birthday tattooed in roman numerals, or their initials in fancy cursive have script tattoos. Script tattoos incorporate every type of font and are not exclusive.
The main point of this article is to highlight the fact that there are different types of tattoos, and if you can identify what you want or like, it can be easier to find an artist who is specialized in that category.
So after reading this, what do you think is your favorite style of tattooing? Can you decide, or do you think yours is one that is not even listed?
Comment below!