Book Tattoo
Black panther head with octopus tentacles tattooed in blackwork

Panther With Octopus Tentacles Tattoo

Fused a panther head into a cluster of octopus tentacles, all in dense black with white negative-space lines doing the structural work. From across a room the head reads as a single solid shape, and up close it breaks into detail: sucker rings, fang lines, fur strokes.

I placed it next to some existing rope and rose pieces. The silhouette holds its own without competing, partly because the heavy fill carries a different visual weight to the surrounding traditional work, and partly because I had a big unbroken canvas to work with. Dense blackwork like this settles cleanly when the design is built for the space.

If you want a big custom blackwork piece in Wellington, email or DM me and we'll talk it through.

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.