Black and gray tattoos occupy a special place in the art of tattooing. Tattoos created in this direction are very popular and are in great demand. After all, using the Black&Grey technique, any pattern or portrait transferred to the skin from a photo or sketch will look great.
Stylistic features of the Black and Gray tattoo
Such images are always made by combining just two colors. “Black” is translated from English as “black”, and “Grey” is gray. The dominant color is black, and the charcoal shade and gray tones and halftones complement it when creating a picture. A huge rarity is the presence of small spots of white, with the help of which a glare effect is created. This style categorically denies the use of any bright colored inserts.
“Tattoo for the sake of tattooing” - this is exactly the expression applied to the BlackNGrey direction in the circles of tattoo artists and lovers of decorating their bodies with various images. Many ignorant people believe that the scheme for applying such a design is one of the simplest in the art of tattooing. But this is far from true. A carefully executed picture does not just look like artistic graphics. A black and gray tattoo is a product of professional craftsmanship.
- Creating images in this style is accompanied by many specific details and nuances. The initial task is the correct selection of colors and shadows. This is a determining factor that will affect the volume, quality and realism of the picture.
- Black and gray tattoos will translate well into images or scenes from other similar trends, for example and. Sketches of this style are distinguished by great thematic diversity, ranging from classics to modern trends in tattoo art.
Who is the Black & Gray direction suitable for?
There is an opinion that the first black and gray tattoos appeared in prison dungeons, because in this environment it is almost impossible to find multi-colored paints. In a sense, the BlackNGrey style is a kind of offshoot from. Then the images “moved” onto the bodies of bikers and began to perfectly complement the cool images of brutal motorcyclists in leather jackets.
But such drawings have also gained popularity among ordinary law-abiding people who in everyday life are not distinguished by any extraordinary behavior.
- Black and gray tattoos mainly adorn men's bodies. But even among the female half there are lovers of paintings in strict, calm colors, reflecting a deep philosophical meaning.
- Properly executed tattoos are particularly voluminous and unique, creating the effect of an old black and white photograph, which looks very elegant and original.
- The concept of tattoos is close to a person who is not afraid to show off his thoughts, feelings and what is happening in his inner world. Such paintings demonstrate honesty, openness and self-confidence.
- A large black and gray tattoo will look good on the chest, back or shoulder. And smaller drawings will deservedly take their place on your hands.
Sketches of black and gray tattoos
Images using this technique lack expressiveness. They are characterized by a certain “morbidity” and gloominess. And their function is by no means decorative. It is rather intended to convey certain information. Therefore, such tattoos usually remind of something. For example:
- About dates or events;
- About people or phenomena.
The most common designs for black and gray tattoos are:
- Crosses;
- Skulls;
- Portraits;
- Images of angels;
- Religious subjects;
- Abstractions.
Just like in other styles, images of animals are used that personify certain qualities of the owner of the tattoo. Guys give preference to strong predators - wolves, bears, lions. Girls choose a cat, a fox, a panther. Flowers in black and gray tones will also look good on a woman’s body.
Should you decorate your body with a Black&Grey tattoo?
By deciding to create a body design using the black and gray technique, you can participate in the process of creating not just a tattoo, but an entire artistic masterpiece, and open up new facets of the perception of beauty and style.
But for this you need to find a professional master, and not try to make a tattoo yourself at home. The specialist will apply the drawing step by step, following all the necessary instructions, and you will receive a unique tattoo with a deep meaning. This result cannot be achieved if you tattoo yourself.
Therefore, if you do not need a colorful cover or a glamorous picture, be sure to take a closer look at a black and gray tattoo.
Video: Drawing a portrait in Black&Grey style by professional tattoo artist Luiza Bello
Black work or black work is one of the most beloved styles by men. Black work is often used to correct unsuccessful tattoos. You can always cover up a tattoo with black, but it doesn’t always work out really well. The fact is that there are technical nuances. In a good way, before painting over an old tattoo with black, you should at least lighten it slightly with a laser. Otherwise it will show through the black color.
Black work itself is not a very difficult style to perform, but it requires a special sense of proportion and taste. By and large, pure blackwork is a geometric style, but many people combine almost all tattoos done in black under this name, which is not entirely true.
Black work is for the brave.
When choosing this style, you should use only it and think over a sketch for the whole body at once. This way blackwork will work at full capacity and cause awe and admiration. Black doesn't like to share power and interfere with other tattoos. Only by completely surrendering to this style will you gain its power.
People look very ridiculous, frivolously choosing this royal style to cover their trousers. Or those that mix it with such opposing styles as watercolor or neo-traditional.
Black Worck goes well with finishing work, sometimes with trash flooring; it is also possible to add additional colors, such as red, as subtle accents.
It’s good if the tattoo artist is also devoted to this style and understands its true meaning and power. Drawing a sketch is a special task, similar to individual tailoring. A well-executed blackwork tattoo will highlight the strengths of your body and hide flaws. Black is one of the few styles that can do this.
When making a choice, think carefully, weigh all the pros and cons, and only if you are one hundred percent sure, start. After all, large geometric blackwork landscapes will be very difficult to remove or interrupt.
Black work is perfect for wars, athletes, businessmen, and in general people with a tough character. If you are a sophisticated, dreamy person, take a look at geometry or watercolor. Black work is for tough people.
Find out more about modern tattoo trends on the page dedicated to tattoo styles, there are more than 20 tattoo styles with detailed descriptions, examples and video reviews.
Blackwork translated from English means “dirty work.” Tattoos made in this style fully correspond to their name.
The work is done in rich black, painting mainly large areas of the body. The basis for this style was the ritual tattoos of Buddhists, since they were also done in black colors. This direction completely excludes other shades that are possible in this art, revealing to us all the mystery and mysticism of darkness.
If you are a lover of black color and respect large tattoos, you will like the blackwork style. Of course, the sketches can be different; you can depict anything in this style.
Men love designs in the form of clear geometric shapes, which give a special brutality and effectiveness. The blackwork forest tattoo is considered popular - it is an image of a mysterious black forest on white skin. If desired, other details can be added to the drawing, for example, birds flying over the treetops. The picture fascinates with its mystery and gloom. You don’t want to hide such work under layers of clothing, so it is depicted on the sleeve.
The strength of this trend is the rejection of fashion trends. Even if the whole world decorates their bodies with colorful paints, blackwork tattoos do not lose their relevance and are considered true classics that are unable to disappear or become obsolete.
Often, unsuccessful tattoos, the so-called “portaki”, are painted over with blackwork. Any imperfection in the skin or portac will be hidden under a layer of black pigment. But you should understand that this style permanently pigments the skin, so it will most likely be impossible to remove a blackwork tattoo.