Book Tattoo
Solid black blackwork tattoo with a row of negative-space skulls

Blackout Full Coverage Piece With Skulls Tattoo

Took the black through a full coverage piece, with a row of negative-space skulls peeking out of the existing detail above where the blackout starts. I finished the cut clean and intentional, terminating in a soft V at the lower edge.

I layer blackwork over multiple sessions to land an even, settled tone, so what looks simple at a glance takes more chair time than most coloured full coverage pieces. The skulls work because they're framed by the detail above, the eye reads them as figures inside the black rather than gaps.

I run blackout consultations from the Wellington studio on Dixon Street, get in touch if you want to chat one through.

Book Similar PieceSee All Blackwork

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.