InkedMag
  • Articles
    • Top Stories
    • Culture
    • Art
    • Music
    • Digital Cover
    • Events
  • Shop
    • Subscriptions
    • InkedShop
  • Tattoo Shops
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • Company
    • About
    • Contact
    • SUBSCRIPTION
    • Newsletter
    • Media Kit
  • Policies
    • DMCA
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
InkedMag
  • Top Stories
  • Culture
  • Art
  • Music
  • Events
  • Store
  • Digital Cover
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • Tattoo Shops

Newsletter

Inked newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

InkedMag

Inked Mag Staff

March 12th, 2015

Share Now
0
0
0

Back to Black

Blackwork is becoming more and more popular nowadays and thanks to artists like Roxx and Chaim “DotsToLines” Machlev, the tattoo industry gets a chance to see some truly ground breaking…

Blackwork is becoming more and more popular nowadays and thanks to artists like Roxx and Chaim “DotsToLines” Machlev, the tattoo industry gets a chance to see some truly ground breaking geometric designs. When it comes to artists like Machlev who are perpetually pushing the boundaries of what really defines blackwork, we get to see incredible female back pieces like this one here.

Using negative space, solid line work, shading, dot work and more, this back piece pulls together multiple style variations of blackwork and combines them all into one. We love the variations that occur throughout the feather like pieces of this Machlev tattoo. Each section features an intentional moment of imperfection or difference that throws off the symmetry when viewed up close, but keeps the symmetry as a whole together from far away. The cool thing about this, as some of the feathers trail in slightly different directions or have additional segments added to them, is that this idea imitates nature more so than perfect symmetry would.

Another amazing feat that takes place in this piece is how well the design compliments the body of the wearer. Transferring line work and geometric designs from stencil to paper can be difficult, especially since straight lines and perfect circles don’t necessarily line up with the curvature of the human form. Starting with the larger upper half of the back and condensing to the smaller piece on the lower back really flows beautifully with the natural forms as well as the geometric ones. This kind of design work showcases just how talented someone like Machlev can be when it comes to reworking shapes and minimalism.

For more amazing blackwork pieces check out some of our favorites right here.

Editor's Picks

Art
The Ultimate Jurassic World Tattoo Roundup: Just in Time for the New Film

With our fan-familiar dinos back on the big screen, the excitement of the newly released Jurassic World: Rebirth has brought the prehistoric to the present, one tattoo at a time.

Art
Inked & Adorable: Meet Hunter, the Artist Tattooing Labubus One Toy at a Time

What started as a fun surprise for his boyfriend has turned into one of the most unexpected and addictive trends in the tattoo world.

Culture
The Story Behind Nonlee’s Signature Tattoo Style

Nonlee Ink merges fine art with tattooing in a style she calls “Realistic Impressionism”.

More From Art

The Ultimate Jurassic World Tattoo Roundup: Just in Time for the New Film
July 3, 2025
Inked & Adorable: Meet Hunter, the Artist Tattooing Labubus One Toy at a Time
July 2, 2025
Top 10 Friday the 13th Tattoos That Celebrate Jason Voorhees’ Iconic Legacy
June 13, 2025
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Release Inspires These Heartfelt ‘Ohana’ Tattoos
May 29, 2025
Musical Ephemera
April 30, 2025

Recommended For You

INKED Recommends
Labubu Tattoos: The Toy Craze Taking Over Tattoo Culture
Artist Spotlight
The Masterful Markus Klinko
Events
Ink on the Riviera: Tattoos Take the Spotlight at Cannes 2025
Artist Spotlight
Reka Nyari – Body Language
InkedMagCover
InkedMag

QUICK LINKS

  • Top Stories
  • Culture
  • Art
  • Music
  • Events
  • Store
  • Tattoo Shops
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • SUBSCRIPTION
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • MEDIA KIT
  • DMCA
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS

Input your search keywords and press Enter.