Book Tattoo
Bold blackwork lady head ringed by tongues of flame

Blackwork Flaming Lady Head Tattoo

A lady head wreathed in flame, executed almost entirely in solid black blackwork. I left the lashes and lips in negative space rather than line, so the face stays bold from a distance and the flame silhouette pushes outward in every direction. No colour, no grey, just shape and saturation.

Black this dense is unforgiving, which is why I settled the layout into symmetry and balanced the composition so the eye reads it cleanly from any angle. Pieces built on bold shape rather than internal detail hold up because the silhouette stays sharp long after fine work softens.

Keen on something in this language in Wellington? Reach out via @pokestaytattoo or pokestaytattoo@gmail.com.

Book Similar PieceSee All Blackwork

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

Similar Tattoos

See All
Solid black wolf head with bared teeth tattooed across the centre of
Solid black blackwork tattoo with a row of negative-space skulls
Black panther head with octopus tentacles tattooed in blackwork
Snarling panther head in solid black ink with bared fangs

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.