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Types of Tattoos

One of the most popular forms of body art, in the present times, tattoo can be described as a permanent marking on the body. In the art of tattooing, colored ink is inserted into the body, through the layers of skin. The result is a change of the skin pigment, whether for decorative purposes or otherwise. Undertaken since the prehistoric times, tattooing art is today practiced almost throughout the world. One can find a wide variety of tattoos being offered by the tattoo parlors, ranging from the abstractions to stylized designs. In the following lines, we have provided information on the different types of tattoos that have gained popularity in the present times.

Types of Tattoos
The types of tattoos differ on the basis of the style of designs used therein. Let us know more about them.

Abstraction Tattoos
Abstraction tattoos, mostly derived from archaic styles of tattooing, do not involve too much artwork. Mostly done in shades of black and classic gray, such tattoos are commonly made around the navel, chest and calves, though arms and upper back are also emerging as a popular choice. Abstractions tattoos include tribal and Celtic style tattoos, Old English lettering and Chinese symbols.

Naturalistic Tattoos
When an attempt is made to portray the tattoos in a realistic style, they tend to take the ‘natural’ form. The portrayal, involving minute detailing, shading and perspective, is done in such a way that imparts a tattoo design as much realism as possible. With their cost a little on the higher side, naturalistic tattoos more popularly comprise of faces of Native Americans and religious leaders.

Dedication Tattoos
Dedication tattoos, commonly known as ‘pledges’, involved the use of the sailor-based designs, like the heart and name banner, the anchor with a ship name, and the insignia of a military regiment. Not much popular in the present times, they command a reasonable price, mainly because of the reason that they are amongst the standard designs offered at a tattoo parlor.

Simplification Tattoos
Simplification tattoos do not have any limiting boundaries in terms of the designs. Almost any and every shape and size can be included in this type, as long as it is stylized by the tattoo maker. Right from the action figurines and animals to flowers and hearts, the range of designs in simplification tattoos is quite wide. Panthers and lions are the popular designs in standard simplification tattoos, while dragons and zodiac signs rule the roost in custom-made stylized tattoos.

Complex Tattoos
Complex tattoos, as their very name suggests, involve designs that are much more intricate than the other styles. Also known as combination tattoos, they comprise of an amalgamation of various tattoos, making them much more impressive than the other type of designs. The most popular complex tattoos comprise of traditional Japanese body suits and combinations of unrelated images.

Tattoo Literature

1000 Tattoos (by Henk Schiffmacher)
A to Z of Tattooing (by Huck Spaulding)
Advanced Tattoo Art: How-To Secrets From the Masters (by Doug Mitchel)
American Tattoo – As Ancient As Time, As Modern As Tomorrow (by Alan Govenar)
Bad Boys and Tough Tattoos – A Social History of the Tattoo with Gangs, Sailors and Street-Corner Punks (by Samuel M. Steward)
Bodies of Subversion – A Secret History of Women and Tattoo (by Margot Mifflin)
Bushido: Legacies of the Japanese Tattoo (by Takahiro Kitamura)
Expose – The Art Of Tattoo (by Tim O Sullivan)
Great Book of Tattoo Designs (by Lora S. Irish)
Henna Floral Tattoos (by Anna Pomaska)
Russian Prison Tattoos: Codes of Authority, Domination and Struggle (by Alix Lambert)
Ink: The Not-Just-Skin-Deep Guide to Getting a Tattoo (by Terisa Green)
Japanese Tattoo (by Sandi Fellman)
The Total Tattoo Book (by Amy Krakow)
New York City Tattoo – The Oral History of an Urban Art (by Michael McCabe, Hubert, Jr. Selby)
Tattoo: Secrets of a Strange Art (by Albert Parry)
Return of the Tribal – A Celebration of Body Adornment: Piercing, Tattooing, Scarification, Body Painting (by Rufus C. Camphausen)
The Tattoo History Source Book (by Steve Gilbert)
Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia Volume II (by Danzig Baldaev and Sergei Vasiliev)
Sailor Jerry’s Tattoo Stencils (by Kate Hellenbrand)
Stewed Screwed and Tattooed (by Madame Chinchilla)
Tattoo: From Idea To Ink (By Joy Surles)
The Art of Tattooing (by Joshua Andrews)
The Body Art Book – A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercing, and Other Body Modifications (by Jean-Chris Miller)
Tattoos (by Mitch O’Connell)
The Mammoth Book of Tattoos (by Lal Hardy)
The Tattoo Encyclopedia: A Guide to Choosing Your Tattoo (by Terisa Green)
Vintage Tattoos (by Carol Clerk)
Customizing the Body: The Art and Culture of Tattooing‎ (by Clinton Sanders, D. Angus Vail )
Tattooing the World: Pacific Designs in Print & Skin‎ (by Juniper Ellis)

Some Tips

A tattoo, though an impressive and striking body art, involves a lot of pain on the part of the person who is getting it made. At the same time, he/she is required to gather loads of information, take due precautions while selecting the artist as well as the design and undertake a lot of after-tattoo care as well. With the popularity of tattoos growing with present times and lots of tattoo parlor being opened, it becomes all the more important for a person to exercise due care before getting a tattoo made. In this context, the following tattooing tips will surely come handy.

Before the tattoo artists starts making the design on your body, make sure that he/she is using new, sterile disposable instruments. At the same time, ensure that he/she uses fresh ink for each session.
It is always advisable to look through the tattoo artist’s portfolio. Through it, you will be able to see his work and ascertain whether he/she is really good or not.
Relax yourself completely before getting the tattoo made. If you are nervous and fidgeting too much, the artist will find it difficult to make the tattoo perfectly.
Insist on the tattoo artist to wash his/her hands with water and soap, or a standard sanitizing agent, and wear latex gloves, before making the design.
The tattoo artist must provide clear tattoo aftercare instructions and products. Do not forget to gather the information from him/her.

It seems that no matter how far we advance into the digital age, our bodies remain a place where we want to express ourselves.