Book Tattoo
Snarling lion head tattooed on one and a tiger head on the other, both in traditional black

Traditional Lion and Tiger Tattoos

Lion on one side, tiger on the other, both done with the heavy outlines and saturated shading of American traditional. I angled each big cat's open jaw downward so the designs flow up into the existing work rather than sitting as isolated patches. Matching the weight across both pieces gave the pair a symmetry without making them identical.

High-visibility placement like this is a serious commitment and the consultation matters as much as the tattoo itself. The skin underneath dictates how I lay the design out, so I plan the layout around the underlying structure to make sure the composition holds shape across years of natural movement. Taking these bookings at my Wellington studio if you're ready for that level of commitment.

Book Similar PieceSee All Traditional

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

Similar Tattoos

See All
Black ink leaping tiger speared by an ornate dagger with floating swallow
Black traditional flaming torch tattoo with a single eye on inner
Three horse heads grouped together inside a circular daisy wreath frame
Black and grey traditional eagle perched above a girl head

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.