What You Should Know About Realism Tattoos

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There are plenty of tattoo styles, each with its own set of specific traits. Realism is one of those types that many tattoo enthusiasts appreciate, and it all started with the realism art movement in the mid-19th century. If you’re considering getting a realism tattoo, here’s what you should know.

What Are Realism Tattoos?

Realism tattoos realistically portray a concept or image. It’s a piece of artwork that should look like a photo. They’re full of incredibly intricate details and quite a bit of shading; plus, they take a long time to complete. Plan on sitting or lying for a long time if you want to get a realism tattoo. But know that they’re worth the time.

Don’t Pick Just Any Artist

Most tattoo artists have a tattoo type that they excel at, and they’ll proclaim this loudly. Since realism tattoos are intricate, they require a specific level of talent and patience. You can’t expect to book an appointment with any artists and receive the results you want. Choose an artist that has realism tattoo experience and specializes in the tattoo style.

Look through the artist’s portfolio to ensure that you like their past work. Set up a consultation and bring in tattoo inspiration to ensure the artist feels comfortable inking the design or photo. This step will certify that this specific artist is the one for you.

Realism Tattoo Key Traits

What are the key traits of realism tattoos? That’s a fantastic question to ask, so let’s take a look.

  • High level of detail
  • Portrays life and objects realistically
  • No solid lines, only shading techniques

They popularly depict people and animals, but the sky is the limit. You can also choose color or black and gray realism tattoos.

Realism Tattoo Styles

There are a few different realism tattoo styles to know. Each one is slightly different from the others.

  • Hyper-realism—depth, shading, and an unreal quality
  • Color realism—varying shades of color and depth
  • Photo-realism—classic realism style
  • Portraiture—photorealistic tattoo
  • Black and gray realism—no color allowed
  • Morphed realism—merged lifelike images

After you get your tattoo, ensure that you understand proper tattoo aftercare. It will help your piece heal correctly and allow your skin to recover. You spent all the time and effort deciding to get a realism tattoo; the last thing you need is for it to heal poorly.