Black and Grey Tattoos
An insight into one of the most popular modern body art choices: black and grey tattoos.
Greyscale ink has produced one of the most popular styles of tattooing throughout history. It’s popularity from as early as the Renaissance era can be attributed to how commanding a statement can be made with black and multi-tonal grey inks, through the balance of simplicity and boldness.
This method of tattooing is thought to have originated in outcasted community’s of society: vagrants, pirates and common criminals. In prisons for example, inmates used any resources they could find to create ink, and greyscale ink was the easiest to concoct. A cheap, alternative to traditional colour tattoos meant that people with very little could create unique body art inked in greyscale.
Black and greyscale art provided something new, something compelling about people’s lives in a way that was so simple, yet powerful. Without the distraction of colour, black and grey tattoos could provide a bold, straightforward message about a person’s life story. And soon, this once underground practice transformed into a subculture with professional artists who could think up, and craft personal, intricate images to be replicated on skin.
A black and grey tattoo can provide the perfect backdrop for how you want to represent your life, and your values, to people who meet you. A look at some of the best black and grey tattoo ideas can offer inspiration if you believe that this style best symbolises what you hope your tattoo to reveal about yourself.
Arm sleeves
Arm sleeves, or half sleeves, are some of the best types of black-and-grey tattoos. These tattoos act as a second skin and match virtually any lifestyle, regardless of how much or how little you desire to show off your unique ink.
Because of the length and shape of your arms, you can use these arms sleeves to tell a story through a sequence of interlinked designs, or you can get a striking singular tattoo in intricate detail. Popular arm sleeve tattoo designs include mandala symbols, trees, flower designs, Buddhist symbols, or dragon designs.
The arm is the perfect location to get a detailed black and grey portrait of your hero, a family member, or a beloved pet. Arm sleeves made in black and grey may also allow you to add images later without compromising the original colour or design, building on your existing work as your journey in life develops and changes.
Chest Tattoos
Chest tattoos provide an excellent canvas for black-and-grey designs. Because the pectorals offer a flat, but prominent surface, a tattoo artist can draw the design with as much or as little detail as you wish. The upper body is also an ideal surface for symmetrical designs.
Chest tattoos provide an excellent canvas for black-and-grey designs. Because the pectorals offer a flat, but prominent surface, a tattoo artist can draw the design with as much or as little detail as you wish. The upper body is also an ideal surface for symmetrical designs.
Back Tattoos
Back tattoos can help you get the maximum benefits of a black-and-grey design style. As the back is the broadest flat surface of your physique, this body part gives you limitless options for your creative overspill. This body art looks great whether you are playing sports, relaxing at home or cooling off in summer weather.
Popular back tattoo ideas include calligraphy, names, full-body portraits, eagle wings, animals of prey, or patriotic symbols. Because of its large size, your back also allows you to gradually add more tattoos over time. While your interests may expand and evolve, a black-and-grey tattoo is timeless. Adding to a piece over a period of years is a personal, intimate experience and epitomises how body art can represent your life journey.