The Basics Of An American Traditional Tattoo

Beauty & Fashion Blog

Tattoos have become more mainstream than ever before in today's culture. Body art is used to express a variety of emotions and memories, but finding the right tattoo can be a challenge when there are so many styles available on the market. If you are looking for a tattoo that pays homage to tattooing's roots in America, then you might want to consider investing in an American Traditional tattoo.

Here are three unique and important elements that define an American Traditional tattoo that you should include in your art's design.

1. Simple Color Palette

One of the elements that sets American Traditional tattoos apart from other styles is the color palette used while creating these pieces of body art. These types of tattoos feature a simple color palette that relies heavily on primary colors.

Because American Traditional tattooing was the first style of tattooing to become wildly popular on a mass scale, the availability of specialty colors was limited. Although many colors are available in modern tattoo shops, true American Traditional art still relies on bright reds, yellows, and blues.

2. Bold Outlining

Another key element to look for when you are hoping to get an American Traditional tattoo is the use of bold outlining in the creation of the body art. American Traditional tattoos started when the technology used to create these works of art was limited.

Fine liners and shading tattoo guns were not readily available, so the line work in American Traditional tattoos tends to be thick and bold. This bold outlining gives the art a graphic feel, which allows it to stand out when placed on the skin.

3. Historic Iconography

Perhaps the easiest way to tell an American Traditional tattoo from work done in other styles is to evaluate the subject matter.

American Traditional tattoos were made popular by sailors living and working in Pearl Harbor. These sailors wanted to commemorate their dedication to the military and their country, so these elements were incorporated into the design of the body art. Historic iconography like ships, eagles, and pin-up girls still play a central role in the design of a true American Traditional tattoo.

Trying to decide on the best style of tattoo for your body art can be challenging. If you are looking for a style that has stood the test of time and has significant historical roots, then consider investing in an American Traditional tattoo by incorporating a simple color palette, bold outlining, and historic iconography. For more ideas, contact a tattoo shop like Big Bear Tattoo.

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