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Radial sun mandala tattoo with concentric petal rings above a horseshoe and eye panel

Blackwork Sun Mandala Tattoo

Built a radial sun out of concentric petal rings at the centre of the design, then framed an all-seeing eye below with a horseshoe and crescent-moon panel. The geometry holds together because every ring sits against a heavy black ground, so the rhythm of the petals carries evenly around the centre.

Symmetrical blackwork is unforgiving. Slight inconsistencies show up straight away because the eye reads the design as a pattern and notices any break in that pattern. I work from a careful stencil and then adjust on the skin as the natural curve of the canvas distorts things during application, which is the only way to keep the radials genuinely radial. Booking ornamental blackwork out of 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.