Realism Tattoo Gallery

Here are a few of my more realistic tattoos. They always turn heads, and I get a ton of solid feedback on them. There’s something about realism that clicks with people right away. Even if someone doesn’t know much about art terms or technique, they can recognize when something looks photographic.

Realism is relatively new in tattooing. Machines and needles weren’t always as good as they are now, and neither were the artists wielding them. Black and grey portraits and wildlife has been around since the 80s and 90s but the color stuff is even newer. As technology advances, so do the possibilities. It also doesn’t hurt that the old guard of bikers and criminals aren’t around to keep gifted artists out of the industry.

What makes it look realistic?

One of the telltale characteristics of realism is a lack of outlines. We don’t see outlines in real life and they tend to flatten out an image. Normally, outlines are what keeps an image readable and the structure of the tattoo sound throughout the aging process. So we have to use other techniques like edges and value to keep a good rhythm of light and dark. This keeps a tattoo from looking either washed out or a jumbled dark mess.

Another imperative is a consistent light source. If your shadows are going off in random directions, the viewer won’t get a sense of volume to any of the shapes you’re trying to represent. A good drop shadow goes a long way to make something look like it exists in space.

It feels great when a realism tattoo is finished. You take a step back and it looks like the photo you’ve been referencing. But it does take a lot longer than simpler more illustrative designs. Which hurts more in the skin and the bank account.

Have a looksee at some galleries of other styles I’m fluent in. Here’s one of illustrative color tattoos and another of plain ol’ black n grey.