Book Tattoo
Solid black blackout tattoo finishing in a sharp V

Blackout With V Tattoo

Filled the full panel black and finished it with a clean V-cut at the lower edge, leaving the adjacent area untouched. A yellow rose I'd done earlier sits above the start of the blackout, which gives the piece an entry point rather than a flat upper line.

Blackouts work hardest at the edges. The V-cut is what separates a polished piece from a heavy one, and the contrast between the rose and the solid fill above gives the eye somewhere to land. Even saturation across this much blackwork needs multiple sessions for it to settle properly.

I run blackout consultations from the Wellington studio on Dixon Street, get in touch.

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

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Common Questions About Blackwork in Wellington

Does blackwork hold up better than colour?
Generally yes. Solid black ink stays denser and more legible over decades than colour, which can soften and shift. If you want something that still reads clearly in twenty years, blackwork is the safest long-term bet.
How long does a blackwork piece take?
Small blackwork pieces run one to two hours. A palm-sized graphic piece is usually a single sitting of two to three hours. Larger panels (forearm, calf, back placements) are typically booked across multiple sessions.
Can blackwork cover an old tattoo?
Often yes. Bold blackwork is one of the strongest cover-up languages going, especially over faded line work. Send me a clear photo of the existing piece in your DM and I can plan around it.