Ornamental Tattoos in Ireland: Real Work

What an Ornamental tattoo looks like

Ornamental tattoos are made from patterns, curves, borders and repeated shapes. Some look like jewellery. Others use mandalas, Baroque leaves, fine lines or dark bands. The pattern is the main part of the tattoo.

I plan an Ornamental tattoo around the body area: the narrowing forearm near the wrist, the curve of a shoulder, or the way the back moves with the arms. I check those shapes and movements before finishing the drawing.

Clear gaps are important too. I leave some skin open between dark areas, thin lines and small details. These gaps help every part stay easy to see.

Ornamental can be mixed with other styles, but the names don't mean the same thing. Geometric uses measured shapes and straight alignment. Dotwork builds shade with dots. Blackwork uses areas of solid black. Fine Line describes thin linework. Ornamental describes the pattern and decorative look of the whole tattoo. You can compare these directions in my tattoo style portfolio.

What selected Ornamental pieces show

This gallery contains 5 completed tattoos. Healed photographs are available for 1 of the tattoos in this gallery. The examples below use different combinations of pattern, shading and colour. Use the gallery labels to identify healed photographs.

The Baroque forearm took 4 hours, the Eye of Providence took 2 hours and the birdcage back piece took 3 hours. Each was completed in one session. Those timings apply only to those tattoos; a new Ornamental tattoo may take a different amount of time.

The Baroque Ornamental forearm tattoo uses large curved leaves and scrolls. Near the wrist, a Geometric band gives the pattern a clear ending before the hand. I kept solid black away from the softer grey shade so the main curves do not join into one dark area.

The Eye of Providence Geometric tattoo has a realistic eye inside a triangle. Small Ornamental marks sit around the hard edge of the triangle. The eye stays as the main part, while the lighter lines make the frame feel less strict.

The birdcage and swallows back tattoo uses an open cage in the centre of the upper back. Three birds move away from it. The cage bars, flowers and feathers need enough room between them. This piece also shows that Ornamental work doesn't have to be only black and grey.

Choosing the right placement

Long patterns often work well on a forearm, calf or along the spine. Centred designs can suit the sternum or upper back. Shoulder pieces need curves that can turn around the arm. These are starting points, not fixed rules. I check the exact area and build the shape for that person.

Symmetry can be useful for a centred tattoo, but not every Ornamental design has to be a perfect mirror image. A forearm, shoulder or one-sided piece can use a pattern that moves in one direction instead. Existing tattoos also affect the plan. I need to see where their lines end and how much clean space is left.

Size, detail and colour

Small Ornamental tattoos can work, but they need a simple main shape. Very fine borders, many repeated lines and narrow gaps need more room. If the pattern is too crowded, I recommend a larger size or fewer details rather than shrink the same drawing.

Larger pieces give me more space for layers, bands and changes between dark and light areas. They can also follow a longer part of the body. Size should come from the detail and placement, not from a standard chart.

Black and grey is common, but colour is possible. Some coloured flowers can stand apart from a black frame. Too many small colours can make the pattern harder to read. If you want colour, tell me which part should stand out.

How to ask for a custom Ornamental tattoo

Save a few references that show the type of curves, spacing and level of detail you like. They don't need to match each other. Tell me what you like in each image and what you don't want copied. I use them to understand your taste, then draw a new piece for your body area.

Please send:

1. The exact placement.
2. The approximate size in centimetres.
3. A straight daylight photo of the whole area and a closer photo of the skin.
4. Nearby tattoos included in the wider picture; a close crop of the gap hides the shape of the arm, leg or back.
5. Your choice of symmetry, black and grey or colour.
6. Two to five useful references.

My Custom Tattoo service explains how I prepare an original design. When you have the photos and basic details, send them through the booking form. I'll check the space, the amount of detail and how the pattern can follow your body before I suggest the next step.