Black and white or monochrome tattoo was, is and will be a success. Despite the fact that the world has long come up with a color painting of the body - the classic look of a monochrome drawing does not cease to fascinate the hearts of fans.
When there were no colored paints and tattoo machines, underwear drawings were made only in black. Now you can afford drawings of any color, but many still prefer black and white tattoos. Why?
Everything is very simple. Black color has a huge number of shades, it is able to play with shadows and create beautiful drawings. Black and white tattoos attract with their semantic depth, mystery, mystery.
Based on the style of the tattoo itself, a black and white drawing can frighten, horrify, soothe, teach to believe. We are not distracted by bright colors, so we can examine and comprehend the image in detail.
It should be understood that black is the basis of most tattoos, without it the drawing would not look the way we would like.
Men generally love massive tattoos. In black and white, you can depict any animal, insect, portrait or fictional image on the body. Girls, on the other hand, prefer sketches of flowers, birds, butterflies, as well as various patterns. Beautiful inscriptions and hieroglyphs, too, look more attractive in black.
Monochrome tattoos are the progenitors of all tattoos. Their age is several thousand years. Even the pharaohs wore black and white tattoos! Color images on the body began to be applied much later. Although they are quite popular, a real favorite with girls and guys is black and white tattoos. What sketches to choose to get into the trend?
A classic with thousands of years of experience: the perfect duet of flowers
Monochrome tattoos have many undeniable advantages. They are more durable than colorful ones. Ultraviolet practically does not affect the black pigment. Such paint is not afraid of water and funds. household chemicals. Adjustment of the wearable pattern, made in color, will have to be done every 5-10 years, and black and white requires tinting only once every 15 years. The discoloration process is less noticeable on the body.
There is another important detail: black and white tattoos make it possible to correctly interpret and implement sketches in terms of symbolism. Historically, tribal scenes were performed exclusively in monochrome. If such a pattern is “blossomed”, then it will immediately lose its sacred meaning. After all, most of the ancient tattoos performed the functions of a talisman. However, not only ancient, but also some modern tattoos require only black and white execution. In color, they will look simply ridiculous.
If we consider a black and white image from a psychological point of view, then it is believed that sketches of black and white hand tattoos are chosen by those who subconsciously or clearly want to control other people's destinies, people who seek to command others.
Monochrome drawing for men: the choice of the strong
The black and white gamma looks quite brutal, so men often get monochrome tattoos on their arm. Sketches delight the stronger sex with their abundance. Here are just a few popular destinations:
The tattoo can cover the entire arm - this is a "long sleeve". If it occupies the shoulder and ends slightly above the elbow, then it will be a “quarter of the sleeve”, from the elbow to the hand (or from the elbow to the shoulder) - “half of the sleeve”.
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Signs on the body: what tattoos do girls prefer?
Today, black and white tattoos are also interesting for girls. They choose sketches very carefully, because they understand that a tattoo is not just an original way to emphasize the beauty of your body. Body painting can change your life. The most popular styles among the fair sex are:
Although some styles are considered classics, they are always on trend. And for those who want to decorate their body in a truly creative way, modern fashion offers a stylish novelty - white tattoos.
What will the tattoo say?
Even, at first glance, an abstract image on the body can carry a secret meaning. Here's how to decipher some of the most common tattoo designs:
- wings. If they are made in the form of angel wings, then this is a hint of innocence and a romantic character. Demonic black wings are a sign of danger;
- flowers. They are very fond of girls, and the leaders in this beautiful family are orchids, sakura, oriental lotus. They are symbols of purity and perfection, they are chosen by creative people. Lily in the language of floristry means innocence, sunflower - charm, and rose - majesty;
- butterflies. Many believe that this is a sign of frivolity, but this is far from the case. In different cultures, a deep philosophical meaning was invested in the image of this amazing insect;
- cat. Indicates an independent character;
- bird. It is believed that this is a sign of hope and a talisman. The widely known "dream catcher" is supposed to protect a person from dark forces during sleep;
- lizard - a symbol of change in life;
- dolphins - harmony, freedom;
- angel. It is stuffed by those who want to keep in touch with God, because these unearthly creatures personify the divine will;
- cross - eternity and faith;
- patterns and loops - the alternation of births and deaths;
- dragon - power and magic;
- snake - fertility and healing.
You can argue for quite a long time about which tattoo styles are better, but comparing black-and-white tattoos and color tattoos is absolutely inappropriate. You should choose a tattoo consciously, only based on your own tastes and not listen to third-party advisers.
Advantages of black and white tattoo sketches
Monochrome tattoos always look different and different from their colored counterparts. Firstly, these sketches have a restrained and strict plot, they are also distinguished by their clear edges. Secondly, with the help of this type of tattoo, you can make many of those drawings that cannot be drawn with colored ink. In such drawings, there are much less any small details and tones. Black and white tattoo sketches are great for men and girls. The female half often chooses various flowers, butterflies, angels, a rune or an ordinary artistic inscription. The stronger sex prefers signs, murals, small images of animals, and so on. Very popular are sketches of tattoos, which depict predators, skulls and mythical creatures. The main advantages of black and white sketches of tattoos can be noted:
- are not washed off;
- do not fade in the sun;
- practically do not require correction;
- relatively low cost;
- wide selection of sketches.
People who have previously made a monochrome tattoo for themselves claim that, despite the years, tattoos do not change their shape and color. As for the price issue, these drawings will cost much less than color ones. Indeed, with color, several types of ink are used at once, which requires significant costs for their purchase.
Sketches of black and white tattoos
Most people choose black and white tattoo sketches, guided only by an inner feeling, their tastes, seeing a certain image on their own body. After all, the picture will vividly reflect all the feelings and values specific person. In the catalog, you can choose a suitable sketch from the photo for further application to the skin. With the right choice, a sketch of a tattoo in black and white will become a real exclusive that will emphasize the individuality of its owner.
With the advent of the technique of creating colored tattoos, interest in black and white drawings on the body faded for some time. Nevertheless, black and white tattoois an eternal classic that will always be in demand and will emphasize the individual style of any person.
About black and white tattoos
Advantages of black and white tattoos
Black and white tattoos are the best option for those people who adhere to a restrained and at the same time elegant style. Black color can be safely called the king of tattoos.
A tattoo made in black and white makes it possible to better understand the very essence of the drawing and the meaning of what the master intended.
Features of such tattoos
It is worth noting that in the exact translation from English, such images are called black-and-gray, since initially White paint was not used.
It is believed that black and white sketches of tattoos appeared in places not so remote, where prisoners used cigarette ash to create a dye.
Trendy black and white tattoos
Modern black and white tattoos are striking in their diversity. Clients of tattoo parlors can choose images of various animals and insects.
Oriental hieroglyphs are very popular, each of which means a wise saying or symbolizes a particular phenomenon. Black and white images for men can include skulls, images of beautiful women, and more.
Ornaments of vegetable type
No less good are the drawings, which are floral ornaments. As a rule, such tattoos are especially in demand among the beautiful half of humanity.
Girls will surely like orchid tattoos, which symbolize grace and femininity. Images of peonies are a symbol of romantic love, good luck and material well-being.
According to Japanese beliefs, a tattoo in the form of a scorpion and a flower can bring eternal love. Black and white tattoos depicting chrysanthemums symbolize fun and happy life. Maple leaves have long been considered a symbol of all lovers.
Thus, black and white tattoos are a combination of impeccable style and restraint. If you want the image to please you for a long time, you should approach the choice with all responsibility. experienced craftsman and a good tattoo parlor. At home, tattooing is not recommended.
Since the technology of applying a color tattoo appeared, the art of black and white tattoo has faded into the background a bit. The classics of the genre were replaced by bright drawings with all sorts of shades, but not for a long time. Since black and white wearable images as an ageless trend in the tattoo industry will always have its own audience of admirers, and it is the whole history of tattoo art begins with black and white drawings on the skin.
To the origins - the first black and white wearable drawings
Black and white tattoos are literally the "pioneers" of the whole tattoo history. More than 4,000 years ago, the Egyptian pharaohs decorated their bodies with monochrome drawings using natural colors- Vegetation juices, mineral pigments or the secret of the sebaceous glands of the animal. This is evidenced by archaeological finds of mummified remains with drawings on the skin that have survived to this day. This once again proves that a black and white tattoo is able to pass the test of more than one thousand years.
There is also more ancient evidence of the existence of a black and white tattoo. In the Arctic lands, during excavations, it was found male body, whose age is determined by the Stone Age. The frozen mummy was decorated with numerous black-and-white patterned ornaments.
The historical purpose of a black and white tattoo is to “leave” a mark on a person, the meaning of which could be different:
- People from ancient Egypt with black and white tattoos belonged to the privileged nobility.
- During the Roman Empire, special patterns were applied to the faces of prisoners.
- The Japanese are considered practically the pioneers of tattooing, who used black and white tattoos as "make-up".
- Marks often symbolized a protective meaning, in the 16th century there was a widespread tendency to stuff a symbol from biblical writings on the back area - a “protective” cross.
- If traditionally black is associated with a gloomy image, but in the East it is the opposite - the white color in the tattoo expressed mourning, and black - the triumph of life, the beginning of something new.
A monochrome tattoo in itself implies a focus on the concept of the drawing, its details, since nothing superfluous distracts attention from the wearable image. The contrast of color can distort the meaning originally invested in the tattoo, emphasizing the strict and direct, restrained nature of the black and white tattoo.
An interesting fact: in English, the phrase “black and white tattoo” actually sounds like “black and gray”, since initially the use of white coloring pigment for the skin in applying a tattoo pattern to the body was not practiced. There is an assumption that sketches of tattoos using white color began to draw in places of detention, where prisoners used cigarette ash to create a dye.
Black and white tattoo - what does it mean today?
Today, few people put a certain meaning into a tattoo, often a drawing is applied to the skin purely for aesthetic reasons, in order to decorate your body in an original way. But if a tattoo, nevertheless, carries any deep meaning, then this is either a traditional interpretation of symbols, or a special, personal explanation of a drawing invented by a person with individual and personal overtones.
As a rule, the symbolism of the animal world directly expresses the character of a person. The image of ferocious predators on the body can tell about the strong-willed character of the owner of the tattoo, and the decoration on the skin in the form of an image, for example, of a graceful panther, is traditionally associated with sexual motives.
A tattoo in the technique of black and white drawing with birds, where swallows are especially popular, expresses the meaning of a talisman, a special “helper” that guides a person through life so as not to go astray.
Any admirer of tattoo art is free to come up with his own personal meaning for a classic black and white tattoo.
Popular black and white drawings on the body
Any modern tattoo parlor has a huge assortment of ready-made sketches for a black and white underwear, presented in catalogs in the form of illustrations or photographs of popular tattoos. Usually, this is a set of standard and most frequently requested images in the form of:
- animals - bears, lions, tigers, dragons and snakes for men, and panthers, foxes, pandas, cats, butterflies and birds for women;
- ornaments and patterns - ornate floral patterns, sharp and angular in the tribal style, linear weaves on the theme of the plant world, combined with elements of geometry;
- inscriptions - famous catchphrases and expressions, where the classics are the sayings of great people in Latin;
- hieroglyphs - the eternal "theme" of the tattoo industry.
Tip: In order not to be like the vast majority, but on the contrary, it is advantageous to stand out among the gray mass of standardized drawings that have long bothered everyone, you should not choose an image for a future tattoo from the catalog. It would be better to contact the master directly for the development of an individual and unique sketch.
Photos from albums can only suggest certain ideas, suggest in which direction to give vent to your imagination.
About the benefits of black and white tattoos
Monochrome tattoos always compare favorably with their colorful "followers". Sketches of black and white tattoos are mostly designed in a strict and attractive style with a restrained plot composition and clear contouring. Minimizing small abstract elements and complex color transitions greatly simplifies the sketching process. But many creative ideas cannot be brought to life using multi-colored ink.
Most dedicated tattoo fans prefer black and white color pigments for their skin, guided by personal feelings, taste and individual vision of a particular image for a tattoo. They note that it is black and white tattoos that do not change their original attractiveness after a long time. So, among the undoubted advantages of drawing in black and white technology, they distinguish.
