Lovers of fantasy have been getting their favourite characters, landscapes, monsters, spells etc, for a long time and in many different styles.
Dungeons and Dragons Lich done by Dan Gagne in Montreal, Quebec.Warhammer Skaven done by Dan Gagne.
My favourite style for fantasy tattoos is American traditional. I think the bold lines, heavy black and saturated colours, and crazy subject matter suits the style perfectly. I am a huge lover of fantasy when it comes to books, movies, video games, etc, so of course I also love mixing fantasy with tattoos.
Hobbit tattoo by Casta tattoo in Barcelona.Super cool fantasy back done by Andrea Bartsch in Minneapolis.
This blog post won’t go into every fantasy story, that would be insane. But to name a few, people love to get tattoos often from the Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer, Magic the Gathering, Elden Ring, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Skyrim, etc.
Knight warrior done by Victor Vaclav at Yellow Rose Tattoos in Salt Lake City, Utah.Rogue Skeleton done by Victor Vaclav.
Many folks also love to get just general fantasy themed tattoos such as wizards, skeleton warriors, kings and queens, elves, orcs, etc.
Awesome Pinky Yun inspired wizard back done by Coque Sin Amo at Black Rose Tattoo in Barcelona.Bloody morningstar by Konstantin Serbin at Mainstreet Tattoo Collective in Winnipeg, MB.
For lovers of classic traditional tattoos and of fantasy you can get pieces based on work from such historical tattooers as Pinky Yun, or choose your favourite whimsical character and go nuts!
Dungeon Crawler by Joel Soos at Blue Arms Tattoo in Oslo, Norway.Skeleton King by Joel Soos.
What is your favourite fantasy story?
Killer Orc lady vs dragon by Mike Marion at Fare Well Tattoo in Portland, Or.Cool take on the Witch King of Angmar by Mike Marion.
Gallows as we think of them today usually consist of two upright posts and a crossbeam from which a rope with a noose at the end hangs, usually with a trapdoor that will open, or something for the hanged person to stand on that gets pushed or kicked out from under them. But this traditional version of the gallows was not documented until 1760 in England.
Cool gallows and coffin by Devon Rae in Orange County, LAMedieval style gallows by Osang brutal in Seoul, South Korea.Beautifully detailed gallows by Ilja Hummel in Essen, Germany.
Gallows throughout history also refer to crucifixion during the Romans rule, and in the Middle Ages in Paris a square structure with wooden columns from which people would hang in the elements before being dropped into a pit to die.
Gallows over a fire done by Maciek Walczyk at Zaraza Tattoo in Warsa, Poland.Single gallows post by D. Cobb at Gold Irons Tattoo Club in Brighton, UK.
Gallows in their most notable form are meant to break the persons spine, killing them instantly, but often people died by strangulation or even beheading. Until 1832 in England many people were hanged by being drawn up from the platform by a heavy weight, causing death by strangulation which would have been very slow and painful.
Cheeky hanging skeleton by “tippingtattoo” at Township Tattoo.Rectangular gallows by Ewa Lidtke.
Public hangings were very popular and were even treated as good old entertainment for the whole family. In fact, the last public hanging in the United States was only in 1936, with the last public hanging in the United Kingdom taking place in 1868.
Single noose and post by Amber Ida at Seven Tattoo Studio.Gallows and crows on a cloudy day by Levi Polzin at Thunderbird Tattoo in Los Angeles.
As a tattoo, gallows are often done in heavy blackwork, pointillism or dotwork, American traditional, or black and grey. Gallows tattoos are popular with people interested in the more macabre side of life, and many artists who create darker imagery use gallows as a common theme.
Killer back piece with gallows and a badass demon done by Osang in Seoul.
Classic skull and snake for a super cool back piece.A bold red and green rose.
Adam does old school traditional tattoos, mainly in heavy black work but if you take a look at his Instagram you’ll see some bright pieces as well.
Classic crying heart (Bert Grimm) and death mothNo Cure For Fools done in colour
If you’re looking for something classic, look no further. Adam has lots of flash to choose from, but he’ll also do up a custom piece if you ask.
Eagle vs snakeGrim Reaper and rose
Big or small, Adam does it all! Most of his work is smaller pieces that can be done in one or two sessions, but if you’re looking for something big like a sleeve or back he’s got you covered.
Super cool Alien piece done in the classic composition of a panther piece.Treehouse of Horror Bart/Edgar Allan Poe piece
Adam is a must visit artist if you’re in the Worcester area. Be sure to check out his website as well where you can buy books and flash.
Beautiful Rock of Ages.Amazing colours in this bouquet and vase.
Esther does brilliant American traditional work in colour, black and grey, and blackwork.
Super cool Midsommar piece.Healed butterfly and rose and fresh chain and barbed wire.
Her work is made to last, with thick black lines and beautifully bright colours, or heavy blackwork.
Butterfly and stars for a classic throat piece.Killer scorpion.
Esther’s Instagram is full of classics such as Pharaohs Horses, Battle Royale’s, ships and more. But check out her flash for something drawn up by her, or email her for a custom design.
Blackwork Battle Royale.Lady head with flowers in her hair.
Large or small pieces, Esther has you covered. Whether you want a small gap filler in your sleeve or a full back piece, Esther is a must see artist if you’re visiting Montreal or live nearby.
Love this classic spiderweb lady.Awesome blackwork ship and mermaids.
For those who are unfamiliar, the guillotine is a device made for execution by beheading. The structure consists of a tall wooden frame from which a razor sharp and heavy blade hangs ready to fall on its victim who is placed in a stock of sorts, leaving the neck exposed and ready to be separated from its body.
Bloody guillotine by Larry Coffins at Toronto InkWoodblock print style guillotine done by Baynez Graff at Pinecone Gallery Tattoo
The guillotine as we know it was allegedly invented by Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin as a more humane way to execute people. It was significantly quicker than even regular beheading by axe which could be easily botched and would often take two or more swings to finally kill the victim. This specific name “guillotine” dates back to 1789, France, but similar devices with different structural designs existed for centuries before; such as the “planke” in Germany and Flanders dating back to the Middle Ages, and the “Halifax Gibbet” in England which may have been used as far back as antiquity. But the French guillotine design was specifically based off of two other existing execution devices; the “mannaia” from Italy during the Renaissance, and the “Scottish Maiden” from Scotland which was used from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Bold heavy black and dark red guillotine done by Hudson at Lock and Key Tattoo in the UKBright and colourful American traditional guillotine on fire with skulls done by Chin at Common Ground Tattoo in Bangkok
Dr. Guillotin was apparently horrified when the device was named after him, and his family even tried (and failed) to have the name changed in the early 19th century. The French Guillotine claimed its first victim in April 1972, and its last use was in France in 1977 where it was still the main method of execution until capital punishment was stopped in 1981. While hundreds of thousands of people met their bloody end underneath the glinting blade of a guillotine, the most infamous time of its usage was during the French Revolution which took place from September 1793 – July 1794. During this relatively short time a shocking 16,594 people were executed by the guillotine in France, with 2,639 in Paris alone.
American traditional guillotine with demon and skulls done by Chris Spriggs at Iron and Gold TattooBlack and grey traditional guillotine with flower done by Lizzy Michelle at Pacific Tattoos in Eindhoven, Netherlands
Public beheadings existed from the beginning of the French Revolution until 1939 in France, but during the Revolution it was extremely popular for anyone, including families to check out an execution and even grab a bite to eat at the famous “Cabaret de la Guillotine” before watching the bloodbath. There was even a well known trio of women called the “Tricoteuses,” who used to sit next to the guillotine and knitted in between executions. Theatrics even became popular for those being executed with some dancing on their way up the steps, and others offering jokes and sarcastic remarks before their heads rolled away.
Black and grey guillotine on fire done by Mike Marion at Grizzly Tattoo in Port’s End, ORBroken blackwork guillotine done by @phil_bomb_ in Seoul
As tattoos, guillotines are popular with those interested in the darker side of life and history buffs alike. They are easily recognizable and can be done in many styles including American traditional, neo-traditional, black and grey, blackwork, and woodblock print styles. They are often accompanied by decapitated heads, skulls, flowers, flames, and blood.
Blackwork guillotine and head done by Laura Alice Westover“Keep your head up” and guillotine done by Luke Nicou at Lucky Luke’s Traditional Tattooing, Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha, South Africa
The tanuki is an animal found mainly in Japan, as well as other parts of Asia. It’s sometimes called a raccoon dog in English, and is related to wolves, foxes, and domestic dogs, and has a vaguely raccoon-like appearance.
Tanuki and flowers by Josh Wright at Moonlight Tattoo in SeattleBlack and grey tanuki by Joshua Burd
While the tanuki is a real animal, it is usually depicted as a creature with magical powers in Japanese folklore. It’s usually seen wearing a straw hat, holding a bottle of sake, with a large belly, happy or mischievous facial expression, and extremely large testicles (which, according to legend can stretch large enough to create sails for a boat).
A very happy tanuki face by vale.rip in ItalyA more mischievous tanuki riding a carp done by dang0__ at The Alchemist Tattoo
Tanuki’s are mischievous creatures and enjoy playing pranks on humans and tormenting them. One way they do this is by transforming themselves into happy looking Buddhist monks, then mocking and imitating the humans during ceremonies to both confuse and delight.
A more neo-traditional tanuki done by Macy Tattoos at Kaya Garden TattooTanuki and its lantern done by Byron Barker at The Body Architects in Cape Town, SA
They also enjoy transforming into tax collectors or police officers and showing up at peoples homes at odd times, accusing them of made-up crimes or pressuring them into paying additional or fraudulent taxes.
A chubby tanuki and a bottle of saké done by kelu in Stuttgart, GermanyA happy looking tanuki done by Matthew Crimson at Crimson Tattoo
As a tattoo tanuki are usually done in a traditional Japanese style, sometimes accompanied by flowers or other creatures. Neo-traditional and black and grey are also popular styles for tanuki, and are sometimes only shown as a happy face instead of the full body.
Tanuki and his large testicles and a drink, done by Lance Vilbro at Little Tokyo in Sydney, AustraliaAnother more Neo-traditional tanuki, with his saké done by Megon Shoreclay at Hidden Hand Tattoo
The Grinch; one of Christmases most beloved fictional characters is also a popular choice for holiday themed tattoos.
A neo-traditional Grinch done by Iris Lys at The Foundry LeedsRealistic cartoon Grinch done by Sol Aguiar at Suka Tattoo Studio in Madrid, Spain
The Grinch was created in 1957 by Dr. Seuss for his book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This was followed by the animated adaptation in 1966, starring Boris Karloff as the voice of The Grinch and the narrator. While there were a number of other adaptations created, the next most well-known version was the live-action musical film from 2000, starring Jim Carrey as the Grinch.
Jim Carrey’s Grinch done by Will Woods at Peppermint Hippo Tattoo in Lethbridge, AlbertaThe original cartoon Grinch done in a simple black and grey style by Kay A, Bowman at Freedom Tattoo in Ipswich
The Grinch is a popular character for many, and for different reasons. For some it’s the heart warming ending in which The Grinch rights his wrongs and becomes a part of the Who community, but for others its his earlier persona that makes him so popular. His Christmas hating, gift stealing, Who scaring personality makes him both amusing and sometimes relatable, as Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many.
Old school Grinch done by Alex Duquette at Tatouage RoyalOld school baby Grinch done by Kyle Gonzales at Faithful Tattoo in Bellingham, WA
As a tattoo, The Grinch is often created in a more realistic style, but neo-traditional, new school, black and grey, and old school are also options for the wearer.
An adorable baby Grinch done by Megan Fell in the UKNew school Grinch done by Joshua Wilson
Did you know that Jim Carrey had to spend 92 days in his Grinch costume and make-up? It took about three hours every day to get ready in make-up, and he had to get special training from a CIA trainer (who teaches CIA operatives how to endure torture) to be able to manage the oppressive costume and make-up which was reportedly “literally like being buried alive everyday.” The actors and extras who played Whos had to go to a special Who-School to learn how to properly behave and act as a Who, mainly through choreography. Actor and singer Taylor Momsen (Gossip Girl and The Pretty Reckless) got her start playing Cindy Lou Who, where she did a great job both acting and singing.
Jim Carrey’s Grinch hand and ornament done by Jessica Wallace at Avon Tattoo CollectiveA new school version of Jim Carrey’s Grinch done by Marlen Mckey at Betobeto Tattoos
Galina is a vintage non-electric (hand poke) tattoo artist based out of Moscow (though she does guest spots world wide when she’s able to).
Inspired by vintage photosBeautiful geometric and vintage Russian woman and Church
Her work is largely inspired by old school tattoos done in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, which includes lady heads, portraits, weapons, animals, etc.
Large hand poked tea partyClown featuring rare hand poked colour
Galina’s work is primarily inspired by both Russian and French prison tattoos, again mainly from the 18-1900’s.
Well placed tower on the back of the headA classic dagger and heart
Along with more old school work, Galina also does great geometric work, particularly on fingers for full hand pieces. Because the work is hand poked it allows her to do more detailed work then a machine could do, particularly in such a small space as a hand.
Lute player Traditional Russian woman
Most of her work is done without colour, but if you’re wanting some red thrown into the mix she can do that for you. Many people think hand poked tattoos have to be small, with very little detail, but Galina is proof that hand poked pieces can still be big and bold. If you’re visiting Russia Galina is a must visit artist! And pay attention to her Instagram to find out her guest spot dates.
The perfect combo, wine and cheese, with geometric fingersInspired by vintage French art
Black out tattoos have been growing in popularity over the last few years, with some people even getting full body suits in this style.
Sleeve and chest piece by 3Kreuze at Ruin Your Life Tattoo in GermanyNegative space black out work by Hoode Tattoos at Black Vulture gallery in Philadelphia
Black out tattoos are exactly what they sound like, large amounts of black ink as the subject, sometimes covering older existing tattoos.
Heavy black out work by Dekalcomanu in Toulouse, FranceFresh black out sleeve by Lukasz Melcher at Stygmat Tattoo
Some black out tattoos also feature some geometric style work mixed in, or white ink over top of the black.
Geometric black out work by Guy Le Tattooer at Sigue Sigue SputnikGeometric black out work in progress by Kenji Alucky at Black Ink Power in Berlin
Many black out tattoo collectors do it in part for the experience of getting the tattoo, as a full blackout (especially as a coverup) can be very painful, creating an almost spiritual experience for the person getting tattooed.
Black out sleeve with white ink flower by Miguel Vanacore at Black Club TattooBlack out half sleeve by Xiao Lun at Hailin Tattoo studio in Los Angeles
Most artists who do black out tattoos specialize in it, as it’s not actually all that easy to make a full sleeve or torso look even in its blackness, especially when the piece is done in multiple sessions.
Full black out sleeve by Joe Larralde at Historic Tattoo in Portland, OregonBlack out sleeve around some existing work, by Kalle Koo at Paradise Helsinki
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