TOP 10 TATTOO STYLES THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Modern tattoo artistry is a treasure trove of diverse styles and specialized artists. Whether you’re drawn to the profound symbolism of traditional Sak Yant tattoos or the delicate aesthetics of modern watercolor tattoos, there’s a skilled artist out there who can bring your dream tattoo to life.

Tattoo styles vary in popularity across the globe, influenced by the location and the history of each style. Some popularities might surprise you. For instance, Japanese tattoos have a significant following in America, while American traditional tattoos are quite popular in England. Some preferences are more predictable, like the enduring popularity of Sak Yant tattoos in Thai cities such as Phuket.

For tattoo novices, the array of styles can be overwhelming. How do you choose the right style for your desired tattoo? How do you navigate the nuances of each style? In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 tattoo styles you should be aware of if you have any interest in body art, spanning from time-honored traditional styles to innovative modern ones.

1 –  Japanese

Japanese tattoos have gained immense popularity in recent decades, and rightfully so. Traditional Japanese tattoos are remarkably stunning, encompassing a broad spectrum of themes. They are often rendered in vivid colors, although subtle black and grey palettes are equally popular.

When it comes to the imagery, Japanese tattoos offer a plethora of exquisite designs. Floral motifs, particularly cherry blossoms and peonies, are a common sight. Iconic figures such as legendary heroes, religious deities (especially those from Shinto and Buddhist traditions), and mythical creatures are also frequently depicted. Other prevalent elements include dragons, demons, and oni masks. The backdrops and borders of Japanese tattoos are intricately designed, often featuring elements like storm clouds, lightning, and rivers.

It’s crucial to understand that Japanese tattoos adhere to stringent rules regarding symbolism. For instance, Buddha tattoos must be placed above the waist, as positioning them below would be considered highly disrespectful. Similarly, when coloring or shading oni masks (theatrical masks representing demons known as oni), the eyes must be left for the end to avoid bad luck. If tattoos and body art pique your interest, delving deeper into Japanese art is highly recommended due to its captivating nature.

2 – Traditional

This style started to be developed in the 18th century, but skyrocketed in popularity in the 1950’s. This particular era has been dubbed the ‘tattoo renaissance’, as the tattoo industry went through massive social, artistic and technological changes.

The key people to be aware of in this particular style include Sailor Jerry (Norman Collins), Ed Hardy, Lyle Tuttle, Spider Webb, Cliff Raven and more. Sailor Jerry is a particular person to note, as his work is usually what people are referencing to when they talk about traditional or old school work. It’s beautifully simple, with a minimal colour palette and intense black lines.

Particularly popular subject matters in traditional tattooing include swallows, anchors, ships, skulls and roses. Pin ups and mermaids are both very popular as well; bear in mind that this particular style of tattoo originates from the tattoos that sailors used to do. A lot of iconic tattoo imagery is considered traditional- you will have probably seen the standard love heart tattoo that says ‘mum’ on it, for example.

3 – Neotraditional

Neotraditional, a style that has gained significant popularity in recent times, is essentially an evolution of traditional tattoos. It retains the classic themes but enhances them with superior drawing quality and a broader color palette.

American traditional tattoos typically feature a limited color range, a reflection of the inks available in the 18th and 19th centuries. In contrast, Neo Traditional tattoos embrace a more extensive and often more vibrant color spectrum. Interestingly, contemporary artists have begun to creatively integrate elements of black and grey shading and line art.

As for the themes, Neo Traditional tattoos frequently depict portraits of humans and animals. Floral and botanical designs are also favored, given their striking appearance when rendered in vivid colors. Moreover, the subjects traditionally associated with American tattoos continue to feature prominently in this art style.

4 – Abstract

Speaking of modern tattoo styles, abstract tattoos are incredibly popular right now. ‘Abstract’ is a fairly vague term of course, so let’s break it down a bit further. One of the main styles that falls under this term is watercolour tattoos. These tattoos are very delicate yet very vibrant, and can feature a number of different subject matters. Some of the most common ones include flowers, birds and animals. They’re very social-media friendly, and you can find a lot of them on Instagram.

Another very popular abstract style is brush stroke/painting style tattoos. These are, surprisingly, made to look like they’ve been painted onto the client’s skin. These tattoos require a very delicate touch to make them look textured, and they are very eye-catching when done correctly. These are normally very brightly colored too, although tattoos that are done with purely black ink are becoming more and more popular.

5 – Realism

Realistic tattoos are currently among the most admired styles, owing to the high level of skill required to execute them well. This style gained traction towards the end of the tattoo renaissance and in the early 2000s, as traditional artists and trained designers started venturing into the tattoo industry.

When it comes to the subject matter, realistic tattoos offer limitless possibilities, tailored to the client’s preferences. Portraits are a common choice, as are references to pop culture, such as scenes from movies or images of characters. A popular approach is to transform an entire body area, such as a full arm or back, into comprehensive scenes.

Realistic tattoos are often rendered in vibrant colors, although black and grey are equally favored. The choice generally hinges on the nature of the scene or subject. For instance, a back piece inspired by a horror film would look striking in black and grey, while a full arm sleeve of floral designs would be visually appealing in color.

6 – Chicano

Chicano tattoos are a deeply rooted form of body art that reflect the rich cultural heritage and personal experiences of the Chicano community, a group with Mexican-American origins. These tattoos often feature intricate black and gray designs, drawing heavily on themes such as family, religion, and social struggle.

Chicano tattoos not only serve as a form of personal expression but also as a way to honor one’s heritage and identity, preserving the stories and struggles of the Chicano experience.

7 – Tribal

If you’re interested in tattoos that have beautiful and in-depth history, tribal tattoos could be the perfect style for you. Polynesian, Maori and Samoan tattoos all have incredibly rich meanings and symbolism, and are a much more spiritual style of tattooing than some of the other styles that we’ve covered in this article.

Tribal tattoos in general are made with thick black line art, and contain lots of intricate patterns. Each flourish, twist and turn all have a specific meaning to them, and the original tribal tattoos would have been able to tell you about the wearer’s tribe and family.

8 – Sak Yant

Following the previous point about tattoos with a rich history and culture, Sak Yant tattoos are worth noting here. The term Sak Yant refers to a traditional form of tattooing from Thailand. Sak Yant tattoos are traditionally designed and tattooed by Buddhist monks, and would regularly be done in temples.

When getting a Sak Yant tattoo, it is vital to make sure that you’re going to someone who has had the right levels of training and expertise in this field. They are very sacred, with a number of deep meanings behind each individual design choice. Sak Yant tattoos are heavily linked to spirituality – hence the element of monks and temples – and are believed to bless the wearer.

9 – Geometric

Geometric is another very broad term, but it is worth looking at in more depth. In general, geometric pieces are delicate and intricate tattoos that are made up of multiple thin lines. Often, they’re in all black, although some pieces do include color.

Mandalas are incredibly popular, as they’re very versatile. Often, they can be combined with other sub-categories of tattoos, like floral tattoos or dotwork tattoos. They fit well on many different areas of the body, and are very flattering. There’s a misconception that geometric styles are overtly feminine, but they work for every type of person.

Dotwork tattoos are made up of a multitude of miniature dots to create interesting depth and shading. This style requires a tattoo artist with a very delicate hand. There are a number of subject matters that dotwork works well with, but the most common ones include geometric designs, mandalas, botanical pieces and soft portraits.

10 – Mandala

Mandala tattoos are a popular form of body art that draw inspiration from the intricate and symmetrical designs found in Hindu and Buddhist spiritual traditions. The term “mandala” means “circle” in Sanskrit, and these tattoos often feature detailed circular patterns that symbolize the universe, unity, and harmony.

Each mandala is unique, with complex geometric shapes and elaborate detailing that can represent the individual’s journey toward balance and wholeness. Mandala tattoos are appreciated not only for their aesthetic beauty but also for their spiritual significance, offering a sense of peace, meditation, and connection to the greater cosmos.

In conclusion, there is a vast array of remarkable tattoo styles to explore, but these 10 arguably stand out as the most significant ones to know. If you’re drawn to traditional tattoos steeped in history, we suggest exploring American traditional, tribal, or Sak Yant tattoos. For those seeking something vibrant, modern, and eye-catching, geometric or new school tattoos could be the way to go.

If you find yourself in Phuket and are considering getting a stunning piece of tattoo art, don’t miss out on Pitbull Tattoo Phuket. Our studio is home to a team of highly skilled and experienced artists eager to assist you in crafting a breathtaking piece. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to discover how we can assist you today.