Book Tattoo
Black ink zebra head in profile with stripes left in negative space on the thigh

Blackwork Zebra Head Tattoo

A zebra head in profile, rendered in graphic blackwork with the stripes left in negative space. The black does the drawing here, the white skin showing through is the stripe pattern, which gives the piece its woodcut weight. I kept the ears up and the eye sharp so the head reads alert rather than flat.

This sits on the thigh with room to breathe, framed by existing work above and below. Negative-space animal work like this holds up well over time because the silhouette and the stripe geometry carry the image, not fine internal shading that would soften. I planned the stripe spacing to stay readable even as the tattoo settles.

For bold blackwork animals in Wellington, message me 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.