Beauty and Ink is proud to be the number one shop for people who want to express themselves through fine art in the realism tattoo style. Every year, our designers and tattoo artists serve hundreds of clients looking for realistic tattoos that simulate real life accurately, earning numerous five-star reviews on independent websites and online forums. Realism is an art style that has been around forever, but only with the aid of high-tech tattoo equipment and fine-point needles were artists able to apply them to tattoos.
Many clients think of realism tattoos as overtly ornate, and some of them tell us they could only exist for a limited time before fading or deteriorating, which is the furthest thing from the truth. In this article, our realism tattoo experts debunk a few misconceptions about the style and explain what makes it unique. We also describe what type of customer usually prefers them and whether getting one is right for you.
What Sets Realism Tattoos Apart from Traditional Ones?
Realism tattoos owe their existence to a French art movement in the 1850s, where painters, sculptors, and musicians attempted to strip away the artificiality and illusionistic tendencies of romantic art by showcasing everyday sceneries and people as they were. While many realism tattoos are minimalist, expressionistic, and abstract, most modern ones evoke the photorealist aesthetics of American artists in the mid-1960s.
Realism tattoos aim to represent real-life people and imagery with accuracy and precision. Many tattoo artists practice on paper for years before testing their skills on the chair. It takes twice as long to master putting realistic tattoos on real people, especially when accounting for the different placements and orientations people want their tattoos to feature.
Tattoos in this hyper-realistic style require a steady hand, technical knowledge, an updated toolset, and experience working with different body parts to do right. Realism tattoos are not jobs for artists with a portfolio that tracks only one or two years.
The Two Kinds of Realism Tattoos
Realism tattoos come in full color or black and grey, also known as greyscale realism. Black and grey realistic tattoos feature different shades of grey and black ink to simulate the color of a black-and-white picture. Tattoo artists often love greyscale realism as they can focus on details, outlines, and shading without worrying about tones and hues.
Full-color realism requires technical expertise, patience, and concentration that only experienced tattoo artists can provide. Depending on the size of your realism tattoo, it might require multiple sessions spanning several hours each. Realism tattoos from an excellent artist will feature detailed layers, color combinations, and gradations, with objects and sceneries looking true to life enough to touch.
What Subjects Can Realism Tattoos Cover?
While our artists do hundreds of realism tattoos for clients who want photo-accurate pictures of their parents, dogs, childhood homes, or even the most recent mountain they climbed, you can infuse fantasy elements into your piece during conception. Here are some of the most common ones we create.
Realistic Portraits
Portraits are the most prevalent kind of realism tattoo. Customers love capturing the fuzzy fur of their favorite canine or feline pet or their loved ones and celebrity crushes. Many artists become specialists in human and animal pieces after a few years.
Landscapes and Plant Life
Trees, flowers, and blades of grass are the most common tattoos for clients who want realism tattoos without committing a lot of skin space. On the other hand, vast landscapes of mountains, parks, and even cities are a favorite among people ready for something bigger.
Horrorcore
Horrorcore tattoos are edgy and often inspired by horror and suspense flicks from the early 80s to the late 90s. Customers who want horror-infused tattoos often request torn flesh, burning skeletons, and exposed muscle fiber, which will make onlookers uneasy.
Subjects Not Found in Real Life
Ghosts, ghouls, zombies, and eldritch creatures are favorites of clients who want to add nightmarish elements to their realism tattoos. Deep-sea and space creatures with 3D effects and depictions of house fires, ethereal realms, and religious characters are also highly preferred.
Working with a Realism Tattoo Artist
Finding the best artist for your design goals can be challenging, especially with thousands of DIYers posting their portfolios online. Learning what style you are looking for is essential, as you can combine realism with photography, impressionism, and other artistic genres and mediums to achieve your design goals.
Look for a tattoo artist with a design philosophy that matches your vision, and check whether they accept or create computer-generated graphics. You can draw your realism tattoo on various photo creation and editing programs to get the correct shapes, outlines, and shades you want without compromise.
Can a Realism Tattoo Last Long?
Because of their textures, color combinations, and intricate designs, realism tattoos are vulnerable to losing their complex characteristics without maintenance. Experienced artists recommend using moisturizers and sunscreen regularly to prolong their lifespans. We also advise our clients to avoid smoking as it expedites skin aging, which can impact how long a realism tattoo maintains its fine details.
Get a Realism Tattoo in San Diego
Whether it’s your first or your 20th piece of ink, a realism tattoo in San Diego will allow you to express yourself in a remarkable and eye-catching way. Contact our artists at Beauty and Ink by calling us at (619) 951-9916 and learn more about it today.
