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Black traditional flaming torch tattoo with a single eye on inner

Flaming Torch Tattoo

I ran the torch vertically, with a single eye set at its widest point and a stacked, banded shaft trailing below. The heavy outlines and chunky black flames give the piece its old-school weight, and I dropped small dot rows along the rim for rhythm without softening the silhouette.

Vertical traditional motifs like this work because the length of the design carries them. Bold outlines and limited shading are what helps a traditional piece still read in twenty years, after the lines have spread a touch.

I'm taking traditional bookings out of the Wellington studio on Dixon Street, drop me an email if you want one.

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.