| The art of tattooing is one of the earliest art | | | | (such as the contrast between warm colors like |
| forms known to mankind. Tattooing has been a | | | | yellow and orange and cool colors like blue and |
| form of personal expression and body | | | | green). Contrast in colors will make one shape |
| ornamentation since prehistoric times. Both tribal | | | | stand out from another or make a shape stand |
| cultures and highly developed civilizations like | | | | out from its background. |
| ancient Rome and Egypt used tattooing as an art | | | | Composition and the Art of Tattooing |
| form. In every century and in countries all over | | | | Composition refers to the flow of the design |
| the world, people have felt a strong desire to | | | | elements in a tattoo and how well they fit on the |
| adorn their bodies with meaningful symbols and | | | | body part where they're tattooed. A client may |
| beautiful designs. | | | | come to a tattoo artist with a fixed idea about |
| Today's tattooists must learn how to use | | | | the design and placement of a tattoo. A good |
| equipment, including tattoo machines, needles and | | | | tattoo artist will know if the proportion of the |
| ink. They also must become familiar with modern | | | | design will work in the desired location. If it won't |
| sanitary procedures for tattooing. | | | | work, the tattoo artist must be ready to offer |
| Mastering this knowledge will make someone a | | | | some alternative ideas. This may mean changing |
| proficient tattooist, but becoming a tattoo artist | | | | the scale of a design with a photocopier machine |
| requires another level of skill. A successful tattoo | | | | or cutting and pasting elements of one or more |
| artist must have a good understanding of basic | | | | designs to create something new. A talented |
| artistic concepts like proportion, perspective and | | | | tattoo artist understands that the most |
| the use of color. The ability to draw well is | | | | successful tattoo designs mimic the flow of the |
| another important skill for a tattoo artist. Much of | | | | body part where they're applied. |
| this comes naturally to people who are born with | | | | Perspective and Depth in Tattoos |
| artistic talent, but that doesn't mean that a | | | | Applying the artistic theories of perspective and |
| dedicated tattooist can't learn and develop artistic | | | | depth is what gives a tattoo a 3-dimensional |
| skills. With time and practice, you can master the | | | | quality. In tattooing, perspective and depth are |
| art of tattooing | | | | achieved through the use of contrast, outline and |
| Color Theory for the Art of Tattooing | | | | shading. Being able to create the illusion of reality |
| The color of a tattoo is one of the first things | | | | with depth and perspective is what sets a tattoo |
| that gets noticed. The use of color can make all | | | | artist apart from a tattooist. These techniques |
| the difference in the success or failure of a tattoo | | | | can be learned in an art course or from an art |
| design. Gaining an understanding of how colors | | | | book and practiced with pencil and paper. Unless |
| work together is an important step in mastering | | | | you're a natural born artist, practice and |
| the art of tattooing. If you've never been | | | | experience are the only way to master these |
| exposed to color theory, enrolling in an art class | | | | techniques. |
| at a community college is a great way to get | | | | Besides taking art courses and practicing, a |
| started. You'll learn how the primary colors (red, | | | | beginner tattooist should spend time studying |
| yellow and blue) can be mixed to form all other | | | | tattoo magazines and becoming familiar with the |
| colors, and how a color wheel shows which colors | | | | work of established tattoo artists. Tattoo |
| work well together. | | | | magazines are an important resource for |
| Use of Contrast in Tattoos | | | | beginning tattooists. They showcase the finest |
| One of the most important aspects of color in | | | | designs that the world of tattooing has to offer. |
| the art of tattooing is the use of contrast. Color | | | | By reading tattoo magazines, aspiring tattoo |
| contrast is what gives a tattoo design depth. The | | | | artists can learn about the leading tattoo artists, |
| contrast can be in the amount of lightness and | | | | become inspired, decide who they want to |
| darkness (such as the contrast between white | | | | emulate and begin to create their own style. |
| and black) or it can be in the colors themselves | | | | |