Book Tattoo
Two abstract tapered brushstrokes with a soft black gradient running down the forearm

Abstract Brushstroke Tattoo

Two tapered brushstrokes flowing down the forearm, soft black fading to nothing at the tips. This is about as quiet as my work gets, no subject, no outline, just two confident calligraphic marks with a gradient running through each. The shape borrows from sumi-e ink strokes, where the gesture is the whole piece.

Work this minimal is deceptively hard. There's nowhere to hide a wobble in a single sweeping line, and the soft fade has to be packed evenly so it reads as one smooth gradient rather than a patchy grey. I placed it along the forearm so the strokes follow the natural line of the limb and move with it.

For abstract and minimal line work in Wellington, message me at @pokestaytattoo or pokestaytattoo@gmail.com.

Book Similar PieceSee All Line & Dots

By Rhys Thomas at Whitetail Tattoo, Level 3, 41–47 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand

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Common Questions About Line & Dots in Wellington

How small can a fine line tattoo go?
Around 3 to 4cm at the smallest before detail loss becomes a real long-term risk. Tiny tattoos that look crisp in the photo often blur out within a few years, so I'll usually suggest the minimum size that gives a piece room to breathe.
Where on the body does fine line hold up best?
Upper arm, outer forearm, thigh, and back placements hold fine line work best. Hands, fingers, feet, and ribs see more skin turnover and movement, so detailed fine line in those spots softens faster.
Does dotwork hurt more than line work?
Slightly different sensation rather than more painful. Dotwork is a stippled tapping motion versus a continuous line. Most people find longer dotwork sessions easier to sit through than dense black-fill sessions.