7 Most Popular Tattoo Styles and Their Characteristics

Tattoos serve multiple purposes for the people who wear them. Besides simply showcasing beautiful artwork or intriguing patterns, tattoos can commemorate someone important in the wearer's life or help the wearer visualize their future goals. No matter what message a tattoo is intended to deliver, the tattoo's style can help tell this story for the wearers.

In some cultures, tattoos have existed for centuries, so it's no surprise that there are many different tattoo styles designed to tell different types of stories through artistic tattoo designs. In this blog post, we'll look at seven popular tattoo styles and how they can be used to tell different message stories.

Realism

Classic realism has been an important part of fine art since the Renaissance. It was only in the 1950s that it became very popular among tattoo artists and enthusiasts. It’s not exactly a specific style, per se—instead, realism tattoos should look as if they were drawn by hand. While a realistic tattoo can depict anything, it has to look as close to photorealistic as possible.

Realistic tattoos depict portraits of famous people, loved ones, nature, and meaningful objects. If you’re looking to celebrate a special person or event in your life, or nature itself, maybe even something in your own past, consider getting a realistic tattoo. Make sure you talk to your artist about their experience with realistic work.

Watercolor

Watercolor tattoos are also a type of realism that uses basic watercolors to create a vibrant, dreamy effect. The watercolor effect can be achieved through the use of watercolor paints, which can be applied by hand or machine before being sealed in with a clear, protective finish.

Tribal Tattoo Style

Tribal tattoo styles are another form of realism. This type of tattoo consists of large, detailed shapes, typically geometric, that depict different animals, insects, or humans. The style is associated with a relatively long history and is believed to be a representation of the wisdom passed down from one generation to the next.

Neotraditional

Neotraditional tattoos focus more on bold, thick lines that use more of a cartoonish effect to create a cartoon-esque image. The subject matter is often out of this world but humanlike at the same time.

Blackwork

Blackwork is one of the more popular types of modern tattoo styles. It’s similar to black and grey tattoos, but it uses a slightly different, more delicate style. Because blackwork tattoos rely so heavily on the lines, the tattoo needs to have enough solid lines to cover a significant area of skin. Blackwork tattoos are typically done in a stylistic fashion rather than being a realistic depiction of any one person or thing.

Japanese Tattoo Style

Japanese tattoos are a type of tribal tattoo that has been in use throughout the country’s history. Like any other tribal tattoo style, Japanese tattoos often feature colorful symbols that tell a symbolic tale. Japanese tattoos usually depict yin and yang, or the balance between good and evil. There are also a number of mythical creatures from Japanese folklore, like dragons, tigers, phoenixes, and butterflies.

Script

Script tattoos are a creative way to express yourself. Any language can be used for these tattoos, although it’s more fun if you’re careful to spell everything correctly. We’ve all seen those poor, unfortunate souls with tattoo disasters, so don’t get a tattoo unless you and your artist are certain of how it should be written. The font, placement of the tattoo, and the size of the letters all influence how a script tattoo looks. Discuss them with your artist to make sure your script tattoo is perfect.

Conclusion

Choosing a tattoo design is a very personal process. It’s not something you should ever rush into. Make sure you’re drawing from your own personal experiences and desires when it comes to deciding on a tattoo. This way, you’ll be sure to get a tattoo that you’re proud of for the rest of your life.

Certified Tattoo Studios is the premier tattoo destination in Colorado, with its three locations located in different parts of the state. We believe in expressing our creativity and our client’s individuality through the type of body art we make. If you’re looking for some of the best tattoo artists in Colorado, Certified Tattoo Studios is the place to be. Book an appointment today!