Book Tattoo
Black snake tattoo with flame-shaped fills winding up the side of

Blackwork Snake Tattoo

Wound a snake along the canvas, breaking its body into flame-shaped black fills that follow the underlying muscle line. This is notoriously hard area to compose for, and I used the natural tendon lines as guides for the snake's curve.

High-visibility blackwork like this cuts both ways. It sits above the collar of every shirt the client owns, so the design has to work alongside beards, jewellery and whatever other work is already there. I spend extra time on consultation before committing the linework, because adjustments after the fact are harder here than anywhere else. Bookings go through @pokestaytattoo or my Wellington 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.