Tattoo styles: describing what you want

Realism and portraits

For a photographic look, bring the original, clearest image you have rather than a screenshot of a screenshot. For a portrait, identify the exact person, expression, and angle you want. Ask what size is needed for the details you want to keep; fitting a whole photograph into a small space may mean losing some of them.

See Brandon's black-and-grey portraits and Sierra's animal and memorial portraits.

Remembering a person or pet? The memorial tattoo guide covers personal photos, handwriting, and dates.

Traditional

Look for bold outlines, clear shapes, and simplified shading. If your references differ, point out which outline weight, colors, and arrangement you prefer. A traditional rose and a realistic rose are different drawing requests even though the subject is the same.

Anime and character work

Specify the character, version, pose, and any details that must be included. Say whether you want the original drawing style or a different interpretation. A full scene with several characters is a different project from a single face; identify what matters if the composition needs simplifying.

Compare Carlos's Goku and Studio Ghibli pieces, Sierra's Calcifer, and Brandon's anime work.

Lettering

Provide the exact wording, capitalization, punctuation, and line breaks. Bring lettering examples and say whether you want their letter shapes, spacing, or decoration. Check the final drawing character by character, including dates and names. For a language you do not read, verify the wording before bringing it to the artist.

Color is a separate choice

Realism, character work, and other designs can use color or black and grey. Say which you want rather than assuming it from the subject. If you like the drawing in one reference and the colors in another, explain that distinction.