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Underground Tattoo Studios

Illustrative blog


What is an illustrative tattoo?


Let's begin by saying illustrative is one of the most versatile and multi-thematic tattoo styles out there.


Illustrative tattoos use cross hatching, finelines, etching, sketch-like design work and abstract expressionism. Stippling is most often used for the shading, embellished by the charisma and style of the artist themself.


Tattoos of this style borrow their forms and techniques from traditional realism (not to be confused with photo realism or realistic tattoos) and apply numerous techniques such as dotwork, linework, blackwork and more to be mentioned later. Often illustrative tattoos look like they come from a story book or art gallery instinctively recognisable.


Many artist were inspired by engraving and etching and can be categorised as blackwork or dark art and understandably so, in the past many artists have been influenced by these works. Alongside the fascination with darker themed artwork many illustrative artists share an interest in esoteric philosophies, alchemy, magic, demons and mythical creatures, and such their art is constructed with all of this in mind. Artists such as Cristian Casas were stimulated by the same concepts to support a few different styles, one of these is merging dark black work and neo traditional.


Japanese and Chinese arts have most certainly had a huge effect on illustrative work for a long time. This category alone houses multiple styles, irezumi is hugely influential within illustrative tattooing, these Japanese tattoos most often gather appreciation of art from ukiyo-e prints of the Edo period.

When looking at irezumi you can definitely see how neo traditional was influenced by it and was another take of illustrative tattooing, again inspired by ukiyo-e prints of irezumi but also art nouveau. Art nouveau was a concept of nature as well as curving lines and botanicals, which tends to offer finer linework than most Japanese tattoo styles. The wonderful uses of filigree, patterns and ornamentals are now replicated in the work of many illustrative tattooists.

Illustrative tattooing styles are vast, from Japanese manga to more western comics and graphic novels. Marvel and superheroes have been a consistent trend since the 80s, and more styles also. Toomami was an afternoon on cartoon network that exhibited Dragon ball z and outlaw star, which contributed to the outbreak of Japanese illustration in the west. This was also In appreciation of the materialisation of animation studios like studio ghibli. Anime, manga, comics and pixar are extremely popular nowadays and tattoo artists are often asked to replicate characters within tattooing. Disney tattoos are another favourite, illustrative designs can help represent and express what we love within these popular themes in an intricate and personal way. Due to the illustrative nature of many pop culture iconography, the illustrative style is perfect for anyone looking for a tattoo that represents the shows and comics that they know and love. 




Here are some examples by our artists.


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