Book Tattoo
Solid black tattoo with koru spirals in negative space and silhouetted fern fronds reaching

Blackwork Koru and Fern Tattoo

Laid a saturated black ground across the canvas with koru spirals carried in negative space, then sent fern fronds reaching outward to soften the boundary of the fill so the piece doesn't end on a hard line where the black stops. The spiral motif nods to where we are in Wellington.

This is a curved surface that distorts under movement, so I planned how the koru and fronds interlock with the underlying muscle, letting the natural curve carry the design rather than fight it. Negative-space blackwork here is unforgiving because any unevenness in the surrounding fill drags the eye straight to the spiral edge. Booking custom koru and fern pieces through my studio.

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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.