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Two wolf heads tattooed above a framed Jesus on the cross

Traditional Jesus and Wolves Tattoo

Sat a pair of wolf heads side by side under a name banner, then ran a framed crucifixion piece down the centre below. I used the body's own symmetry to plan the layout, using the natural centreline to mirror the wolves around the crucifixion. Religious motifs and classic American traditional shading sit naturally together because they both rely on bold outlines and confident black work.

I plan multi-piece torso compositions together from the start. The proportions only work if every element is sized against the others. A solo wolf would have to be bigger; a solo crucifixion would have to be smaller. Working them as a set keeps everything in balance. Custom torso projects in this style can be booked through my Whitetail Tattoo studio in Wellington.

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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 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.