Tattoo Styles
Navigating tattoo styles can be tricky, you may have something in mind and not know how it's called, or vice versa. This page is here to help you!
Sketch
Sketch tattoo style is characterized by its loose, free-flowing lines and an unfinished, hand-drawn appearance that resembles a pencil or ink sketch. This style often mimics the look of rough drafts or artistic sketches, with visible shading, hatching, and cross-hatching that give the tattoo a raw, organic feel. Unlike traditional tattoos, which often focus on bold, clean lines and defined shapes, sketch tattoos embrace imperfection and the spontaneity of the drawing process. The result is a tattoo that feels more like a piece of artwork in progress, blending elements of fine art with body ink. Common themes include abstract designs, portraits, animals, or nature, where the lines may fade or taper off, adding to the artistic, fluid aesthetic.
Manga / Anime
The main difference between sketch and manga tattoo styles lies in their artistic influences and execution. Sketch tattoos are inspired by rough, freehand drawings with an emphasis on loose, fluid lines, unfinished elements, and a raw, organic aesthetic. These tattoos often have a spontaneous, hand-drawn feel, with visible shading and hatching that mimic pencil or ink sketches. In contrast, manga tattoos are heavily influenced by Japanese comic art, known for their clean lines, exaggerated features, and dramatic expressions. Manga tattoos often incorporate detailed, dynamic scenes, with bold black and gray shading, and sometimes vibrant color, to capture the energy and emotion of the manga genre. While both styles can feature fine line work, manga tattoos tend to have a more structured, polished look with a focus on character design, storytelling, and stylized details, whereas sketch tattoos are more abstract, fluid, and intentionally rough around the edges.
Watercolour
Watercolor tattoo style is inspired by the fluid, vibrant aesthetics of watercolor painting, characterized by bold, sweeping color washes and soft, blended hues that mimic the look of painted brushstrokes on paper. Unlike traditional tattoos, which typically use solid black outlines and crisp details, watercolor tattoos often forgo heavy outlines in favor of a more ethereal, fluid design. The colors blend and bleed into each other, creating a sense of movement and depth, and the use of splashes or drips can add to the painterly effect. This style works well with abstract designs, floral patterns, animals, or even portraits, where the focus is on color and emotion rather than precise linework. Watercolor tattoos can be delicate and dreamlike, offering a sense of fluidity and artistic freedom, but they also require a skilled tattoo artist to achieve the smooth transitions and vibrant effects that make the style unique.
Sketch / Watercolour combo
According to me, a match made in heaven, and my style of predilection!
Fine line floral
Fine line floral tattoo style is characterized by delicate, intricate designs created using thin, precise lines, resulting in a refined, minimalistic aesthetic. This style often focuses on the beauty of flowers and plants, emphasizing their natural details—such as petals, leaves, and stems—with a light touch and soft shading. Unlike traditional floral tattoos, which might use bold outlines and vibrant colors, fine line floral tattoos tend to be more subtle and elegant, with a soft, almost airy quality. The thin lines give the design a sense of elegance and sophistication, making the tattoo appear as though it could be a detailed sketch or a botanical illustration. While these tattoos are often black and gray, some incorporate muted, pastel colors for added depth and contrast. Fine line floral tattoos are popular for their timeless, understated beauty, making them ideal for those seeking a tattoo that feels both personal and refined.
Fine lines
Technically, fine lines is not a style, but a technique, so any design can qualify as "fine lines"
In tattoos, fine lines are created with small, precise needles that produce crisp, slender strokes, often without the boldness or heavy shading found in traditional tattoos. These lines are subtle and elegant, allowing for intricate details and a minimalist aesthetic. The beauty of fine line work lies in its precision and the ability to depict intricate patterns, textures, and forms with a refined, almost delicate touch. Fine line tattoos often emphasize subtlety and sophistication, allowing for designs that are detailed but not overwhelming. This style can range from geometric patterns to botanical illustrations or even realistic portraits, with the thin lines giving each design a soft, airy quality. Because of their subtle nature, fine line tattoos can have a timeless, understated appeal that feels both modern and classic.
Pixie is an awesome tattoo artist, and consistently produces great work. She's also very good at taking the kernels of ideas and developing them into awesome designs, and always a joy to work with. As for the tattoos themselves - everything has settled in very well, and I've never had any issues w/ healing - her process is consistently safe and high-quality, and usually needs none or minimal touchup (most cases, no touchup needed at all - first run is solid already). 11/10 on all aspects :)
Elijs “X2Eliah” Dima
2025-02-07
Holly Burns
2024-10-14
Pixie gave me the cutest little Vivi tattoo on my ankle. It was exactly what I wanted...But better! I felt very comfortable and knew I was in good hands. I highly recommend her for anyone who loves the sketch style as I do.
rlincoln 77
2024-10-10
My experience was amazing! I was a little anxious as it’s my first bigger piece, but Pixie made sure to have informed me at every stage of the process from planning to care. Comfortable and safe space too which it’s great!