A portrait of your grandma that almost looks back at you. Your dog, down to the last whisker. A rose that looks like you could pick it right off your arm. Realistic tattoos are true works of art on your skin, and there's a reason they're so popular. But realism is also one of the most demanding styles out there. In this post you'll learn what a realistic tattoo needs to look amazing not just now, but years from now too.
What is a realistic tattoo?
A realistic tattoo tries to recreate something as lifelike as possible: a face, an animal, an object or a piece of nature. Instead of bold outlines, it's all about light and shadow, depth, texture and soft transitions. Think of the shine in an eye, the texture of fur or the shadow under a petal.
Realism requires a lot of technical knowledge: of anatomy, of light and of how ink behaves in the skin. At Piercings Works, our artist will talk you through what it takes to get your idea onto the skin in a lifelike and readable way.
Black and grey or colour
Realistic tattoos can be done in colour or in black and grey. Both have their own charm:
- Black and grey uses shades of black and grey to create light, shadow and depth. It has a timeless, classic look and suits almost any subject, from portraits to animals and religious or symbolic themes.
- Colour brings a subject to life even more, like a flower, a bird or a fantasy scene. A colour tattoo is built up layer by layer.
A common question is whether colour costs more. The difference usually isn't in the ink, but in the time the work takes. Read more in our post on how the price of a tattoo is determined. At our studio you always get a personal quote.
Which option is best depends on your design, your skin and the placement. Your artist will give you honest advice.
Why realism needs space
This might be the most important rule of realism: give the design room. A realistic tattoo lives on details. Eyes, nostrils, tiny hairs, reflections of light: all those little things make a portrait real. But ink can soften and spread slightly over the years. If the design is too small, those details will blur together over time and the portrait loses its power.
Lots of people want a portrait small, because it feels more subtle. We totally get that. Still, it's more honest to say: realism needs size. Read more about it in our post on black and grey pet portraits, Een huisdier tattoo is nooit zomaar een portret (in Dutch).
That's also why it's best to choose a placement with enough flat space, such as the forearm, upper arm, calf, thigh or back. And think long term: a large portrait is affected more easily by changes in your body than a small symbol. Read more in how weight loss and weight gain influence your tattoos.
The right reference photo
With a realistic tattoo, the reference photo is the foundation of everything. A great artist can do a lot, but nobody can make a sharp portrait from a blurry photo. What to look for:
- Sharp and high resolution. The more detail visible in the photo, the better.
- Good light. Natural light with clear shadows works best. A photo with flash or very flat light often lacks depth.
- Large in the frame. The face or subject should fill the photo, not be tiny in a group shot.
- Eyes clearly visible. For portraits of people and animals, the eyes are often the most important part.
- Bring several photos. That way the artist can pick the best one or combine details.
Not sure if your photo will work? Just bring it and we'll look at it together.
Aftercare and ageing
A realistic tattoo is an investment in your skin, so good aftercare is extra important. General tips:
- follow the aftercare instructions you get from us; everything is also in our tattoo aftercare instructions (PDF);
- touch your tattoo as little as possible and wash it twice a day with a mild, fragrance-free soap, then pat it dry with a clean towel or tissue;
- if you like, apply a thin layer of Bepanthen Wound Cream or another suitable tattoo aftercare cream with clean hands (regular Bepanthen only once your tattoo is fully healed);
- no sun or tanning beds (not even with sunscreen), no swimming pools, hot tubs, natural water or saunas while it heals; that usually takes about 2 weeks;
- once it has healed, always use a high SPF in the sun, because UV light makes soft grey tones and fine details fade faster.
That way the contrast between light and dark stays beautiful for longer.
Ready for your own work of art?
Your tattoo by Ivor
Ivor Keserovic has been part of Piercings Works from the very beginning and has been tattooing for 10 years. He wrote the book series for the Basic Tattoo Course (in Dutch), teaching young people to tattoo and passing on his knowledge. Check out his work on Instagram, send him a message on WhatsApp (+31 6 8187 6076) or book your appointment directly.
A realistic tattoo is usually planned in advance, so there's time for the design and the session. Book a tattoo appointment for it. You're of course also welcome to just walk in for a chat first at our walk-in studio at Reguliersbreestraat 46, right by Rembrandtplein. Our team speaks six languages, so you can tell your story in your own language too. Because every realistic portrait starts with a story.