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Traditional flaming torch tattoo with a lady's face emerging from the flames

Traditional Torch and Lady Tattoo

Did an old-school flaming torch with a lady's face emerging from the smoke, sized vertically to run a good length down the canvas. Heavy outlines and saturated black shading give it the same weight as the rose and clouds already sitting alongside, so the new tattoo joined onto the client's existing traditional full coverage piece rather than fighting it. I matched the curl of the flames to the rose petals to keep the rhythm consistent.

Vertical motifs like this read cleanly whether the limb is hanging or held up, which matters more than it sounds. A tattoo that only looks good at one angle is a tattoo that disappears most of the time. I'm taking bookings for custom traditional work out of my Wellington studio.

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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.