Blackwork Tattoos

What is Blackwork?

Blackwork tattoos have risen in popularity – but actually have a rich, extensive history. These tattoos are bold, solid planes of black ink which integrate skin-breaks or negative space to create a design. Most commonly, these tattoos are abstract patterns and geometric shapes. Although, its possible for these tattoos to also have figurative forms, scenes and subjects. A large portion of this style of tattoo is consistent of tribal designs, however, it also includes dark art, geometry, ornamental, black out, graphic art, and sometimes lettering. As a result, any design made of just black ink without shading or color can be labeled as blackwork.

Origins

This style of tattoo dates back centuries before evolving to todays contemporary art form. To understand blackwork influences, one needs to look back in history. The oldest mummy with these types of tattoos is the Princess of Ukok, of the Pazyryk people. She is believed to have died in 500 BCE in now southwestern Siberia. Her tattoos consist of mythological creatures consisting of only black ink with no shading. There have been older mummies found before the princess, however, no mummy has been found with such ornate designs. They believed these tattoos among this tribe of people represented age and position within their tribe.

Though, the Princess of Ukok is the oldest black work examples, Ancient Polynesian tribal tattoos are the biggest influence of todays blackwork tattoos. These tattoos, considered tribal, communicated lineage, social standings, religious beliefs, life stories, legends, clan affiliation and illustrated rites of passage. The designs curved around the contours of the body, and where made up of symbols, minimalist images, bands and geometric patterns. The Ancient Polynesians hold the rank for inspiration for modern blackwork/tribal designs, though other cultures and nationalities have deep roots within this style – including Native Americans, Celtic cultures, Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiians.

Styles

Since the development of tattooing, these tattoos have diverge into multiple styles. Because ancient blackwork is considered tribal, it is the first category. Geometric and ornate blackwork follows tribal, as its an obvious variant from the original tribal work. Followed by blackout, dark art, graphic art, and lettering.

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Flash Sheet by Devynne Dlubac

Tribal Tattoos

Tribal tattoos are the most common blackwork designs. They are popular amongst tribal cultures; people who live in clan and linage based units with ideological solidarity. Some artists create their own designs, and other stay true to the original form of tribal. It is important to find a tattoo artist who is educated within this category because some tribal designs are sacred to rituals and have sacred symbols. By finding an educated artist, you’ll avoid cultural appropriation. The oldest tribal tattoo artists alive today is Whand-od. She is 105 years old, and considered to be the last of the Mamababatok tattoo artists of the Kalinga people. These artists used traditional stick and bamboo to craft tattoos.

Geometrical Tattoos

Geometrical tattoos, like tribal, are inspired and informed by older traditions and cultures – primarily Buddhist and Hindu. The origins of these designs stem from “sacred geometry” and Plato’s idea that a god or goddess has put perfect geometric structures and divine proportions within the natural world. As a result, these tattoos consist of fractals and mandalas and other geometric patterns.

Ornamental Tattoos

These designs draw inspiration from geometrical tattoo designs, however, they are more round and ornate. They are heavily inspired by Henna designs. The designs are most organic in shape, while maintaining symmetry.

Blackout Tattoos

Blackout designs are more modern than the previously listed styles. These tattoos consist of large blocks completely filled in with black. But, they do not typically play with skin-breaks and are often used for cover ups. These styles of tattoos are typically on arms and legs.

Dark Art Tattoos

Dark Art is a modern interpretation of blackwork tattooing. It is similar in to illustration, depicting scenes and characters. Its inspired by etchings and alchemy. They are beautiful and ornate designs.

Graphic Art Tattoos

Graphic art is similar to Dark Art, with elements of scenes and characters. But, this style is informed by visual prints of the modern mainstream, and is similar to illustrative tattoos. Often these tattoos have inspirations of manga art forms.

Lettering Tattoos

Lettering isn’t always blackwork, although some designs can fall into this category. Typically, if the lettering is solid black and bold, it will be considered blackwork.