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Black and grey traditional eagle perched above a girl head

Traditional Eagle and Girl Head Tattoo

Stacked two American traditional motifs into one vertical composition for this one. A wide-winged eagle rides above a girl head, with her ruff collar shaded soft and dotwork running through the hair. I shifted the line weight on purpose, heavier on the silhouette and finer through the eye and feathers, so it holds at distance and still rewards a closer look.

I lean on bold outlines in traditional work for a reason. They keep their shape as the years go on, while the finer rendering softens gracefully into a piece that still reads from across a room.

If you want something in this vein here in Wellington, flick me a DM at @pokestaytattoo or email pokestaytattoo@gmail.com.

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.