Inked Mag Staff
October 5th, 2020
75 Beautifully Badass Blackwork Tattoos
When in doubt, black it out
Over the last several years, blackwork tattooing has exploded in popularity. Blackwork is an umbrella term for a style of tattooing that is done in black ink. Blackwork tattoos generally cover large areas and focus on opaque coverage over shading or stippling.
Many people opt for blackwork tattoos, however, they’ve really appealed to those looking for coverups. A coverup is successful if it masks the piece underneath and to do this, black is required. A blackwork coverup is a great way to go about this because you can completely conceal the existing piece and if done properly, the end result is totally badass.
Although blackwork tattooing may look straight forward, there’s a good deal of technique and finesse that goes into it. You need to create consistent strokes, that way you’ll create a smooth appearance over a visibly scratchy mess. You also need to work quickly, as this approach to tattooing can be pretty brutal for the client and you don’t want them to tap out midway. Plus, you need to make sure your artist doesn’t traumatize the skin, as this can create holidays and other inconsistencies.
Take a look at 75 (yes, 75) of our favorite blackwork tattoos from talented artists around the world. These artists all put their own spin on blackwork and they’re creating bold, bulletproof ink that’s built to last. Check out their masterpieces in the gallery below, then let us know if you’d go for a blackwork tattoo in the comments section on social media.
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Inspired by Japanese culture and anime, MimiSama combines old school methods with modern technology in her unique style of tattooing
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He fights in the UFC, fronts a punk band, runs a clothing line and does a little stand-up comedy on the side—so, yeah, Andre “Touchy” Fili is all the way alive
Grimes Adds Another Otherworldly Tattoo
The musician has added another intriguing piece to her tattoo collection
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