Blackwork tattoos are a good choice for you if your goal is to create a bold, sexy tattoo. Blackwork is a general term that describes tattoos that contain only black pigments. However, it has also been a popular style within mainstream tattooing. How can you create a blackwork design? Do you have any tips or tricks to help you make a blackwork design? How do we know if tattoos are blackwork? We've got you covered. We reviewed the history of blackwork tattooing. And we asked a Blackwork Tattoo Artist in Spokane which factors are most important in designing a tattoo. Find out all you need to know regarding blackwork tattoos.
Blackwork – What Is It?
Blackwork tattooing may be the easiest to explain. Blackwork historically can be associated with ancient tribes. These people would use thick black lines for identification. These tattoos use charred bone and wood as ink. Tribal tattoos often feature blackwork designs.
When it comes to blackwork becoming a mainstream style, many attribute the style's popularity to Leo Zulueta. Zulueta is the man who introduced blackwork and tribal tattoos to the West. His tattoos received attention following an interview in Modern Primitives (1989), which explored the popularity, influence, and impact of contemporary tattooing. Ask those in the industry and you will find that blackwork became a much more prominent style only recently. Landon Morgan Nomadic tattoo artist believes that blackwork began to be popular in the States around four or five years ago, although it was established in Europe already. Casper Mugridge in Alberta coined "Blackwork" to describe a style term. Anyone who uses black ink is now considered a Blackworker.
Blackwork often blends well with other tattoo types. For example, a blackwork-geometric tattoo could include both geometric and blackwork styles. Blackwork is a term that refers to the color scheme used in the style. It almost always requires another type of tattoo to complete the design.
Blackwork Design Key Elements
Blackwork tattoos will be easy to spot. A blackwork piece can be defined as a design that is entirely black and does not contain any color. Landon defines blackwork "as the use or diluting of black to create gray tones." Crosshatching and dotwork are the most common forms of blackwork. Blocky designs consisting only of solid black with no texture are also possible. It can be hard for people to differentiate between blackwork tattoos and black and gray tattoos. But, so long as the majority is made up of black ink then it's considered a Blackwork tattoo.
Where Can You Start With Your Idea?
First, determine where you want the ink to go. It will help your artist when drawing the design. Once you have your location in mind look into the various tattoo designs that are available. It's important to choose a style that will complement blackwork.
Pop culture, your memories, or a symbol that represents something you value in your life can inspire you. Bring your idea to an artist. Be as specific as possible. The artist will draft a blackwork piece for you. This is guaranteed to make you happy for the long haul.
Blackwork Designs – Things To Consider
Blackwork tattoos can be done in any style or design that you like. Black ink has a better ability to hold its pigment than other colors and it lasts longer. Landon said that as someone who has color on their body, he was unhappy with the way that tattoos age. I love the contrast between black and white. Contrary to some color tattoos, blackwork ink does not lose its luster after a few years. As long it is properly maintained, there are no worries.
It's crucial to understand the difference between terms. These terms are sometimes interchangeable, however, blackout and blackwork are not the exact same thing. This could be more a media term than a tattoo artist's term. Landon says he isn't familiar with the term "blackout". Blacking out a section of the body is not a technique. You don't need any design to saturate a leg. It is just black ink. This type of blackout tattooing is common in tribal tattoos.
Popular Blackwork Designs
Gothic imagery is highly popular for blackwork designs. It's because Gothic designs are heavy on black and require strong lines to complete them. You don't necessarily need to create a dramatic image with blackwork. But, it is compatible with every type of design. Blackwork can be used to make delicate floral designs, using dotwork as well as shading. Blackwork is an excellent choice for realistic portraits. This is a wide-ranging tattoo style so you can use visuals of all types. However, blackwork tattoos are more often classified as 'gothic’ or horror.
Blackwork tattooing, which mainly refers to a tattoo's color scheme is one of the most versatile tattoo types. These designs often overlap with other tattoo genres to create a work of art using the blackwork style. There are many choices for tattoos in blackwork. The color will not fade or not age well as it would if it was colored.
