Book Tattoo
Solid black wolf head with bared teeth tattooed across the centre of

Blackwork Wolf Head Tattoo

Dense black fill does almost all the work on this one. I built the wolf head as one strong silhouette with no grey wash and no colour, then picked the snarl, teeth and eye highlights out in negative space whitework. That choice is what gives it the weight.

I sized the piece carefully so the ears and muzzle land as natural anchor points either side of the central axis, framed by surrounding work. Blackwork at this density ages well in my experience, because the silhouette stays sharp long after softer line work would have started to drift.

If you want something similar in Wellington, hit me up at @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

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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.