Book Tattoo
Large black tattoo of a striped tiger battling a coiled snake

Tiger and Snake Tattoo

Ran this one as a large-scale piece top to bottom: a striped tiger locked up with a snake, framed by swallows up top and tufts of grass and pebbles at the base. Heavy blackwork stripes and bold outlines drive the eye through the fight, and I left the tiger fur as negative space so it reads as the lightest tone against the coiled snake.

Scale was the deciding factor here. I filled the canvas without crowding the centre line, leaving a strip of breathing room down the middle so the piece sits as one composition rather than two halves. Heavy black holds well over decades, which is what a composition this size needs.

I run large-scale piece consultations from the Wellington studio, get in touch if you want one.

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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.