Getting tattooed can be pretty addictive. Trust us, we know.
It starts off as just one meaningful tattoo on your wrist, then suddenly you blink and you’re 6 months into a backpiece. If you’re someone who’s a fan of tattoos and wants to get another one, it can be difficult to stay inspired when coming up with designs.
Artists are often quizzed on where they get their inspiration for designs, and it’s something that tattoo clients have to think about, too. Where can you find inspiration for your next tattoo design? And how can you make sure that it’s something unique and special? That’s what we’re going to be talking about today.
In this blog post, we’re going to be looking at the best ways to find inspiration for a tattoo. Before we get started, it’s worth noting that there aren’t any set rules for what you can get.
You don’t have to get a super meaningful tattoo every time, and you don’t have to have a particular complexion to get a bright and colorful tattoo, for example. As long as you work with a good artist and get something that makes you happy, that’s all that matters.
Consider whether it’s going to have any meaning
Before you think about styles or artists, try to think about your reason for getting a tattoo as this will affect how it looks overall. Are you getting a tattoo to commemorate a loved one? Is it a birthday present to yourself? Or are you simply getting it just because you want to?
All of these reasons are equally valid, and it may even be a combination of multiple reasons. Whatever your logic, establish the meaning first and then you can figure out whether a particular style or symbol would be useful for you.
Look up some different tattoo styles and genres
As you’ve probably seen from our other blog posts, there are countless styles of tattoos- with more emerging each year. Do you want a black and grey neo Japanese leg piece? How about a gray wash neo noir portrait? There are so many different styles that it’s important to look in to them, to help discern what your own personal tastes are.
The styles that we would recommend looking into to begin with are;
- American traditional. This is one of the styles that our shop specializes in. They’re simplistic and bold, with vibrant colors and old-school themes.
- Neo traditional. An elaboration on traditional tattoos, these tattoos are often bright and colorful, with intricate linework and a plethora of themes.
- Japanese. Japanese tattooing is famed for having beautiful iconography, deep symbolism and a vibrant history to match.
- New school. These tattoos are loud and bold, with an instantly recognizable drawing style and color palette.
- Realism. As the name suggests, realistic tattoos capture a photographic essence of real life. They can be colorful, or they look equally stunning in black and grey.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are plenty of other ones to choose from. Have a read about some styles, it will be a very helpful task for inspiring you and narrowing down your artistic interests.
Have a think about the style, size and placement
Where is it that you want to get tattooed, and how big do you want it to be? These are questions that your artist will ask you, so it will be beneficial for you to have a solid answer ready.
Size and placement are much more important than you might think. They affect a number of factors, such as design intricacy, session lengths and even pain control techniques.
Take a look at your favorite books, movies and video games
Pop culture and media can be huge inspirations for tattoos. Do you have a favorite comic book character, for example? How about a favorite movie scene? Ideas like these can make fantastic tattoo designs, as they can fit a number of styles and be a lot of fun too.
Search for inspiration on social media
Social media can be a wonderful place to go if you’re searching for inspiration. A lot of artists will post their flash designs and previous work on social media platforms like Instagram, and Pinterest can be a very helpful place to look as well.
One important thing to note is that while it’s okay to use other pieces for inspiration, it’s not okay to just use another person’s design. It’s disrespectful to the original artist, the person who is wearing it and to your artists own capabilities and skill set. Ripping off other designs is never ok- tattoos should be custom.
Get a consultation with your artist
Any good studio will offer consultations, and this is a service that you should take full advantage of. Working with an artist during a consultation will help take any concepts and turn them into fully-fledged designs.
Overall
As you can see, there are plenty of great places to draw inspiration from for tattoos. Whether you’re getting a piece that’s deeply symbolic, inspired by your favorite arist or simply just for a laugh, speaking to your artist and getting a consultation will always be beneficial.
If you’re not sure about your idea, why not wait a while? We’d suggest giving it a month if you want to think about it; after all, it’s better to be sure when you’re heading into any sort of body modification or adornment. There’s no harm in waiting a while, and it can give you some extra peace of mind when you’re heading to your appointment.
If you’re looking for a high quality, custom tattoo in the New York area, you need to come and see us at NYC Tattoo Shop. Our team has a wealth of experience, and can work with you to help make your dream tattoo a reality. Take a look at the rest of our website to see what we could do for you, and feel free to get in touch with us to find out more today.
