Dotwork
Tone built from stippling rather than solid fill.
What it is
Shading made of thousands of individual dots, dense in shadow and sparse in light. Often combined with ornamental layouts, and unmistakable close up.
Best for
Soft gradients in black only, with texture you can see from a hand's distance.
Questions people ask
- What is a dotwork tattoo?
- Shading made of thousands of individual dots, dense in shadow and sparse in light. Often combined with ornamental layouts, and unmistakable close up.
- What is dotwork best for?
- Soft gradients in black only, with texture you can see from a hand's distance.
- How well do dotwork tattoos age?
- Gently. Dots merge slightly with time, so a gradient gets smoother rather than blotchy — one of the kinder styles to age.
- What subjects suit dotwork tattoos?
- Mandalas, sacred geometry, moons, animals and shaded ornamental work.