How To Draw Traditional Tattoos
Tattoos have been around for centuries, offering symbols of insight and personal beauty. If you are looking to add the art of tattoos to your creative arsenal, said art begins with learning how to draw traditional tattoos. With practice and patience, you can draw stand-out, stunning tattoos that will make a lasting impression.
Gather the Essentials
Drawing traditional tattoos requires the same tools and supplies as any other type of drawing. You need paper, either in the form of a sketchbook or large sheets of bristol paper. You will also need pens, paints, and other art supplies, as well as a comfortable work station with plenty of light.
Start With Basic Shapes
Drawing realistic objects and figures is easier when you break them down into basic, geometric shapes. Begin with simple shapes while sketching, such as simple circles and triangles that you can later refine. Doing this will help you get more intimately familiar with the object or figure you are trying to draw.
Go Over the Guidelines
Traditional tattoos were once used for spiritual and cultural events such as rituals, rites of passage, and even marriages. As such, there are strict guidelines and symbols associated with them. Brush up on the information associated with these symbols, or even look for books written on the subject, so you know what you’re drawing and what it symbolizes.
Experiment With Customs & Colors
Tapping into the traditional roots to draw tattoos from them is the best path to get that perfect, authentic look. Explore the customs behind traditional tattoos and see if any of them spark your creativity. It also helps to choose colors that often feature heavily in symbolic tattoos; black, red, and blue add a classic touch of beauty.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with anything, practice makes perfect. The more time you spend sketching and drawing tattoos, the more comfortable you will become with the subject. Have some fun with it and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Spend some time drawing tattoos on paper first before officially trying it out on yourself or on another person.
Make It Meaningful
The most important aspect to consider when drawing traditional tattoos is to make sure that each and every one is meaningful. As we’ve mentioned before, traditional tattoos aren’t just about looks. They should be connected to some meaningful story or moment. Make sure yours is just that.
Create Your Own Tattoos
Take elements from the traditional tattoos but don’t be afraid to create your own. Pair styles and symbols together to create new, eye-catching tattoos that are uniquely yours. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s not as difficult as you think.
Use Quality Inks & Needles
Although you don’t need them to draw tattoos, when attempting to tattoo yourself or others, you must use the highest-quality inks and needles available. The right tools can go a long way in ensuring the safety of the person getting the tattoo and will also help the tattooer to create a piece that will look just as good years down the line.
Watch For Infections
As with any open wound, you should always watch out for infections with tattoos. If you are tattooing someone else or yourself, it’s important to keep an eye on the wound and to clean it regularly with antiseptic solutions. It also helps to bandage the tattoo for several hours after being applied to lessen the chances of infection.
Be Prepared for Discomfort
Traditional tattoos can be uncomfortable to receive. If you are providing a tattoo to someone else, or getting one yourself, make sure to properly inform the person of the potential for discomfort. It’s also important to be prepared for the possibility of it taking longer than expected. Have some older movies or a music playlist ready to help help pass the time and make the process a little more bearable.
Get an Appreciation For The Process
Drawing traditional tattoos is an art form that demands an appreciation and reverence for the sacrosanct practice. Remind yourself of the tradition behind each symbol and object, and it should make creating the tattoos an even more inspiring and spiritual experience.
Drawing traditional tattoos is not only a creative outlet; it’s an experience that will allow you to enter a world filled with meaning, beauty and spirituality. With practice, patience and an appreciation for the process, you can create stunning tattoos that will be cherished for a lifetime.
