Book Tattoo
Black ink crocodile head with textured scales and bared teeth running

Blackwork Crocodile Head Tattoo

Built a long crocodile head out of dense black fill here in heavy blackwork, with negative-space whitework picking out the scale pattern across the snout and the rows of teeth along the jaw. I designed the silhouette to run long and narrow, with the eye high and the snout tapering outward.

Designing along the limb's length rather than across it paid off here. The crocodile reads as one continuous shape rather than a floating panel, and follows the natural line of the body. It sits next to existing blackwork lettering and ornamental work, and I made sure the dense fill slotted in against the surrounding tones without competing.

Wellington bookings through @pokestaytattoo on Instagram or pokestaytattoo@gmail.com.

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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.