Buzz’s Japanese Tattoo Design

Tattoo client, Buzz, came into Zealand Tattoos and had interest in a tribal influenced sleeve. After an initial consultation, tattoo artist, Zane educated him on the benefit

Kelly’s Oriental Tattoo Design

s of Japanese Tattoos as a ‘timeless’ art style.Buzz underwent an in-depth tattoo art brainstorming session and decided to proceed with Zane’s recommendations for Japanese ‘Chest Block & Full Sleeve’ tattoo.

Photo #1 – Depicts the final sketch copy to be stencilled for the tattoo design. It is worth noting that Zane progressed through three draft copies to arrive at this final version of the tattoo design. This represented in excess of 20 hours of ‘behind the scenes’ tattoo art creation or actual drawing time.

Photo #2 – Is taken from Buzz’s first actual tattoo sitting where the Japanese tattoo design is ‘freehanded’ over four hours, then the tattoo is outlined in. This takes place over a FULL DAY of studio time.

Photo #3 – This is another angle showing the ‘free-handing’ and outlining work on the tattoo design from day one. It is important to note that the entire tattoo design simply cannot be stencilled on, as stencils can’t easily wrap around the entire arm – hence the need for free-hand drawing of the tattoo design onto the body. Stencilling cannot ergonomically fit to the figure, whereas free-hand drawing of the tattoo design can.

Photo #4 – Shows that whilst the tattoo design has been power-lined, the tattoo is still left with some thin lines.

Photo #5 – Colour is added to the Japanese Tattoo, which at this point is effectively completed.

Photo #6 & Photo #7 – These photos of the tattoo design show an effect where part of the Koi Fish’s body appears to go ‘murky’ underneath the waterfall. This water-colour effect displays a translucent or softer finish that is very difficult for the average tattoo artist to achieve.

Photo #8 & Photo #9 – These photos are the finished Japanese Tattoo photos (of Buzz’s arm) that were taken at the SINZ Tattoo Expo Show and featured in the Australian Tattoo Magazine.