Complete guide to tattoo styles: Traditional, Realistic, Japanese and New School

Complete guide to tattoo styles: Traditional, Realistic, Japanese and New School

Introduction:

Tattoos are an art form that has been around for millennia, and over the years, numerous tattoo styles have emerged with unique characteristics. While some tattoo styles have been around for decades, others have emerged more recently, giving tattoo artists the ability to express their creativity in ever new ways.



Here is an overview of some of the most popular tattoo styles. Let's find out together the characteristics that distinguish them!

 

    1. Traditional: One of the earliest tattoo styles developed is the traditional style, also known as the American or Old School style. This style is characterized by thick, black lines, bright colors, and a sharp, clean image. Typical elements of traditional tattooing include hearts, skulls, ships and birds, and often these motifs have a specific meaning within the tattoo culture.
    2. Realistic: The realistic style seeks to create tattoos that look like photographs or paintings. Lifelike tattoos require great skill and precision, often requiring hours of work to create a perfect image. The most common subjects for realistic tattoos include portraits of people and animals, landscapes and objects.
    3. New School: The New School style emerged in the 1980s and is characterized by bright colors, thick lines and irregular outlines. New School tattoos often feature cartoon or caricature subjects, and include elements such as graffiti, flames and other bold images.
    4. Japanese: The Japanese style, also known as Irezumi, has roots in Japanese culture and often features motifs such as dragons, tigers and cherry blossoms. Japanese tattoos are often large and cover an entire part of the body, requiring extraordinary technical and artistic skill.
    5. Trash Polka: The Trash Polka style is relatively new and is characterized by a chaotic and extravagant image. Trash Polka tattoos often combine elements like text, collage, and blob backgrounds, creating an image that looks like something out of a comic book.  

 

Conclusion:

These are just some of the most popular tattoo styles, but there are many more. When choosing a style of tattoo, it's important to consider not only the design but also the technique and skill of the artist. Whether you choose a traditional tattoo or a New School tattoo, it's important to find an artist who has the skill and creativity to create an image that will last a lifetime.