Larger pieces of body art like flower tattoos provide both opportunities and challenges. More space to work with is nice, but as with any project, a larger canvas means higher expectations.
Not only do you have to create the pattern for a whole flower, but you have to balance the many shades and colors with the white canvas of the skin.
So, how do you design large flower tattoos that look as good from a distance as it does up close? Read on for some tips.
Client Consultation
When discussing a large flower tattoo with a client, a tattoo artist must keep an open mind and be willing to adapt to their client’s needs. Every client is different and will have different expectations when it comes to their tattoo experience.
As a tattoo artist, it’s important to ask questions during a client consultation to gain a better understanding of what the client wants from the tattoo. Questions should include details about the placement, meaning behind the tattoo, size, color, and other stylistic choices they may want.
Research Flower Symbolism
A tattoo artist needs to do their research when designing a large flower tattoo. Their research should focus more about tattoo symbols and their meaning. This is especially with different flowers. The artist should research the symbolism behind different types of flowers and their meanings, as well as their color and size.
Certain flowers symbolize different emotions, such as beauty, love, and peace. A sunflower, for example, stands for adoration and loyalty, while a rose symbolizes love and beauty. Additionally, selecting an appropriate size is important.
Consider Placement and Body Flow
As a tattoo artist, it’s important to think about both the size of the piece as well as the area it will be placed on the body. When it comes to size, it’s important to determine how the size and placement of the design will fit and flow on the body.
Additionally, the petals of the flower should be balanced to conform to the curves and shapes of the body. This ensures that the tattoo looks natural and is aesthetically pleasing.
Lastly, an essential part of considering placement is making sure to leave enough space for future tattoos that may be added on. Doing this will help keep the body flow cohesive over time.
Sketch and Conceptualize
As the popularity of large flower tattoos grows, tattoo artists need to have a thorough understanding of the sketch and conceptualize steps when designing a statement piece. Working from reference images of the flower of choice is key to ensuring the details and shading are accurately depicted.
Sketching the image in various stages throughout the process will help the artist with composition and size, and allows for multiple iterations until the desired result is achieved. The conceptualizing stage features rules such as spacing, symmetry, color, simplicity, and contrast.
Reference Realistic Elements
When it comes to designing large flower tattoos, a tattoo artist must consider how to best capture realistic elements from the flowers. Reference photos and videos of real flowers can be incorporated, but the artist must be mindful of the placement of elements, the overall design, and size.
The petals should have a soft fading edge, while the stem should be slightly curved. The leaves should have both smooth and jagged edges to create a realistic look. Utilize a variety of colors to give the flowers a life-like quality.
Make sure to include other life forms in the design, such as insects, birds, or butterflies, to provide additional dimension. Take into consideration the season too, as each flower blooms at different times of the year.
Balance Negative Space
Negative space is the empty parts of the design, and it can balance out bolder elements. When coupled together with the right colors and patterns, this can result in an eye-catching tattoo. The negative space can be used to bring out the significant elements. This is achieved while ensuring they don’t overpower the design.
Different patterns and colors should be blended in perfect harmony. This is also to give the tattoo life and movement. Negative space can help create visual interest, and if used correctly, can become a focal point of the tattoo.
Additionally, negative space should look proportionate to the size of the flower so the overall appearance of the tattoo is balanced. Creating a space for the flower to pop while keeping its integration in the design, can be achieved through a careful consideration of the negative space.
Test the Design
Before attempting to tattoo a large flower, the artist must first get a good feel for the size, design, and color palette they would like to use. It is also important to test the design. This helps to ensure it will fit properly on the client’s skin and that the lines will be clean and crisp.
The artist should start by sketching out the design on paper first, then they can stencil it onto the skin to check the size and placement. After testing the tattoo design, the artist should adjust the placement and size if necessary.
Finally, the tattoo artist should begin the tattooing process by using the finest needles and shading techniques available to create a beautiful and unique masterpiece. With the right preparation and practice, tattoo artists can create amazing large flower tattoos that their clients will cherish for years to come.
Be Guided When Designing Large Flower Tattoos
In conclusion, large flower tattoos can be a great way to express your style and creativity. With the help of this guide, you can learn the basic techniques necessary to design a beautiful and unique flower tattoo. So get creative and have fun, and make sure to book an appointment with your local tattoo artist to help bring your vision to life!
Should you wish to read more articles aside from sketching big tattoos, visit our blog.
Leave a Reply