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Black traditional lady head tattoo with flowing hair and flames inside a full coverage piece

Lady Head and Flames Tattoo

Tucked this lady head inside an existing full coverage piece. She turns inward with long curling hair that breaks into flames and smoke. I kept the face classic traditional (heavy lash work, defined lips, soft shading across the cheek) and let the surrounding fire and a dragon claw above her tie the panel back into the larger composition.

I let negative space do the heavy lifting rather than fill, which keeps the figure readable next to the heavier neighbouring work. Inside a busy full coverage piece, restraint within the focal panel is what stops the whole composition collapsing into one tone over the years.

If you want a traditional panel like this, I'm at the studio in Wellington and you can get in touch through Instagram.

Book Similar PieceSee All Traditional

By Rhys Thomas at Whitetail Tattoo, Level 3, 41–47 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand

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Common Questions About Traditional in Wellington

What's the difference between traditional and neo-traditional?
Traditional keeps to a small, classical colour palette (reds, yellows, greens, blues) with chunky outlines and limited shading. Neo-traditional opens that up with more colours, finer detail, and more painterly shading. Same bones, more flexibility.
Do traditional tattoos cost less because they look simpler?
No. Traditional tattoos look deceptively simple. Clean bold lines and solid colour packs are hard to execute well, and they're priced on time and skill required, not visual complexity.
Can a traditional design be personal rather than generic?
Yes. Most of my traditional pieces are custom subjects rendered in the traditional language. Bring your own meaning and I'll handle the visual grammar.