Inked Mag Staff
November 13th, 2015
Tattoos Without a Black Outline
While there are hundreds of different tattoo styles out there, most of them follow the same principles of design. Smooth shading, bold color saturation, and a steady black outline. Yet…
While there are hundreds of different tattoo styles out there, most of them follow the same principles of design. Smooth shading, bold color saturation, and a steady black outline. Yet what happens when you remove one of the elements of a classic tattoo? You’d expect chaos to ensue but it is actually quite the opposite. Over time, artists have developed new techniques and styles which shine without a black outline. They went against the rules of tattooing and came up with something beautiful and original. Some styles work well without a black outline because they rely on either strong color packing techniques to create graphic imagery or the artist is going without the outline to show incredible photo-realistic techniques. These artists prove that a tattoo can stand alone without the constraints of an outline.
Editor's Picks
Hooked on Ink
Tattoo enthusiasts often claim addiction, but true addiction involves chemical and psychological dependence. Obsessive love for tattoos is not the same as addiction.
Austin City Limits 2024: Tattooed Icons and Epic Performances – Copy 1
From Soulful Ballads to Punk Anthems: Tattooed Artists Leave Their Mark on Austin City Limits 2024
Austin City Limits 2024: Tattooed Icons and Epic Performances
From Soulful Ballads to Punk Anthems: Tattooed Artists Leave Their Mark on Austin City Limits 2024