Realism
Photographic depth, no outline.
What it is
Built entirely from tone: gradients, cast shadow and highlight standing in for line. Portraits, animals and objects rendered as the eye would see them.
Best for
A likeness. Nothing else gets a face right.
Questions people ask
- What is a realism tattoo?
- Built entirely from tone: gradients, cast shadow and highlight standing in for line. Portraits, animals and objects rendered as the eye would see them.
- What is realism best for?
- A likeness. Nothing else gets a face right.
- How well do realism tattoos age?
- It softens. Tone without an outline loses contrast first, which is why good realism is worked darker than the reference.
- What subjects suit realism tattoos?
- Portraits, eyes, animals, hands, statues and objects.