Blackwork tattoo

Blackwork tattoos are worn on the arm and forearm, on the shoulder and leg, made in the form of a sleeve or applied to the wrist. The lack of color diversity in the sketches makes them universal, feminine and masculine, but the meaning of the symbols used largely depends on what kind of accents the owner himself wants to place. A detailed review will help you better know about the features of blackwork style tattoos, their variety and the most popular design options.

Blackwork tattoo is an interesting and original direction, which is characterized by the use of exclusively black color, large ornaments with a predominance of geometric shapes. This technique dates back to ancient times. It is believed that blackwork is a type of Polynesian tattoos, with the help of which the natives indicated most of the information about themselves: from occupation to marital status or origin. The Europeans adopted the aesthetics of the flamboyant indigenous style, but abandoned the original meanings of the drawings on the body.

A new wave of popularity overtook blackwork in the 70s of the XX century. Tattoos have become a mandatory attribute of young people in the United States, a division into male and female directions has appeared. Blackwork, as a rather easy-to-learn technique, allowed craftsmen to quickly gain the necessary experience. The main features of the style that emerged during this period were several elements.

1. Monochrome. Most of the work is done using only black pigment, without any alternatives. For girls, tattoos are offered with the addition of white or red, but in small quantities.

2. Large formats. For blackwork, it is normal to paint over the entire arm or chest, back, legs, and other parts of the body. In fact, a tattoo can easily replace clothing.

3. Total painting. Spaces are not allowed. The pigmented areas should have a deep anthracite color.

4. Minimalism. The main share of sketches is for natural landscapes, geometric ornaments. Complex patterns, although they are found, are not an obligatory element of the style.

5. Gradients and 3D effect. The main task of the blackwork technique is to obtain a three-dimensional image, pattern or ornament. The tattoo, although it is done in one color, has all the necessary transitions and halftones.

Blackwork style is not suitable for everyone. But it is practically irreplaceable if the tattoo is done to hide scars or other physical disabilities. A solid black coating or a complex ornament allows you to cover a significant area of ​​the body without much difficulty.

Blackwork tattoo has several main directions, dividing its plots into separate groups. Each has its own characteristics that should be considered more closely.

• Ornament. This group includes all repeating patterns connected to form an integral composition. The ornament can be made in the form of a bracelet or a sleeve, often made according to the author's sketches of the owner.

• Total fill. In this case, the surface of the skin on a certain part of the body is painted over as a continuous coating. This option is also performed in the form of a sleeve - on the forearm, part of the arm or over its entire surface. And also this technique is used when applying a tattoo on the neck, legs, abdomen, chest and back. The process of filling the skin with pigment occurs in stages, it is long and rather painful.

• Geometry. Ornaments in the form of triangles, squares, labyrinths, jagged lines and parallel stripes are closest to the classic Polynesian tradition. Often they are made voluminous, with shadows and additional elements, sometimes from a mixture of black pigment with white. The figures can be used to form the figures of animals - a wolf, a bear, fantastic creatures, including dragons.

• Animalistic. In this category, masters offer tattoos with animals or birds. The wolf, swan, eagle, raven, or condor are especially loved by men. Girls prefer to choose tattoos with deer, owls, snakes and other reptiles.

• Landscape. Most often, a forest, mountains, beaches are depicted. In this style, it is better to create landscape tattoos on the surface of the back or chest. The space theme, the combination of the moon and water, is also popular.

• Anatomical. Tattoos in the form of skulls, skeletons are a fairly popular option for a blackwork plot. Ornaments of this type are sometimes made in the form of exposed muscles to emphasize the relief of the body.

• Floral. Roses, tulips, lilies, chrysanthemums. Flowers in the blackwork style look very gothic, they can adorn the body of a girl or a woman.

• Portrait. The black tone allows you to transfer to the body both the graphic works of famous painters and the features of real people. It is only important to find a master who has extensive experience in working out precisely portraits. Otherwise, the result can be disappointing.

Blackwork style, despite its restraint, provides a sufficient number of ideas for creativity. Monochrome patterns look good on both dark tanned skin and snow-white.

Choosing a location for a blackwork tattoo has a very special meaning. Drawing on the body can become an important part of the image or remain an adornment for the soul, which is known only to loved ones. Somee features of choosing a place for its application should be considered in more detail.

1. Tattoo on the arm. It can be on the hand - on the palm or on the back, cover the forearm or wrap around the wrist in the form of a bracelet. In the fill technique, the entire hand is under the pigment. The sleeve is formed from the shoulder to the wrist, sometimes extending over the chest and shoulder blade.

2. Tattoo on the shoulder. Geometric ornaments are most often depicted here. The tattoo is quite easy to hide under clothing. Women apply here images of flower buds or intricate lace patterns.

3. Tattoo on the head. Option for the brave. Usually, part of the hair above the temples and on the back of the head is shaved under the tattoo. It is customary to apply images of the zodiacal constellations or totem patrons - scorpions, dragons.

4. Drawing on the leg. It is placed on the calf or thigh, usually encircling the entire surface with an ornament. Geometric ornaments look good on the shins. On the hip - storyline options with an animal or landscape theme.

5. Tattoo on the chest. It can replace an item of clothing, sometimes even with imitation fasteners. Popular drawing in the form of a fishing net, landscape ornaments on space themes, images of the crown of a tree. Often there are skulls and bones on the chest, as well as designs imitating reptile scales.

6. On the back or neck. Here, the theme ranges from total black fill to geometry or the image of angel wings. The imitation of the plumage of an eagle or knightly armor looks especially brutal on a male body. Women often choose complex interweaving of lines that form a pattern. This tattoo can start from the neck and reach the buttocks.

7. On the stomach. HMost often, blackwork tattoos are done here to hide stretch marks or scars from operations. The choice is made in favor of floral or geometric ornaments, complex patterns.

Blackwork tattoos are becoming more and more popular. It is these ornaments that allow you to fully express your inner world, emphasize the versatility of the personality of their owner. Among interesting examples of work, several options can be distinguished.

• A visual demonstration of the Polynesian heritage. Blackwork tattoo on the chest and arms in the traditional patterns of the natives looks stylish and neat.

• Hand with animalistic pattern. You definitely can't hide such a tattoo - it is for brave and strong-minded people.

• Geometric sleeves. The laconic ornament looks impressive and strict.