The subreddits r/tattoo and r/tattoos are great places to start if you’re seeking ideas for your next tattoo or just want to view some of the most imaginative and well-done works out there.
A plethora of enthusiasts share both their own designs and those of other artists from around the world in these online groups. No matter what their taste, everyone is sure to find something they enjoy, whether it’s a geometric animal image, a gorgeous arrangement of flowers that seems like watercolor, or a traditional bold skull.
So keep scrolling to see our selection of stuff from these subreddits, and don’t miss our interview with tattoo artist and proprietor of Highwater Gallery in Swansea, United Kingdom, Josh Young.
1. December 15, 2016, was my dad’s death date. I Received A Tattoo Today
2. Hongdae, Seoul, Korea; Meonji, my cat, by Yeonno. My first tattoo ever took eleven hours to complete.
Knowing what you’re getting yourself into is crucial when considering skin inking. “I would say one of the most common misconceptions about tattooing perhaps would be the time it takes to design and perform a tattoo,” Young stated to Bored Panda.
“I think to the inexperienced customer, they can, a lot of the time, assume we are able to just ‘knock up’ a quick design, and unfortunately, the line ‘the tattoo should only take half an hour’ is thrown in quite a lot.”
3. A Calvin and Hobbes embroidered patch made in Sao Paolo, Brazil by Duda Lozano
4. Jing’s Wildflowers Tattoo in Flushing, New York, from Jing’s Tattoo Studio
5. In the end, my sister, brother, and I (triplets) decided to get our first tattoos.
Young speculates that it might have originated during the era of flash sheets, “where one could quickly complete tasks by simply removing them from the wall.” Or maybe it stems from seeing “reality” tattoo shows that are edited to highlight the 30-minute design, setup, and execution process.”
In any case, the artist believes that instead of being frustrated by these presumptions and fallacies, individuals should take some time to educate themselves.
6. Mayday, My Shop, Me, Pony Lawson, Made This Golden Balloon Dog! Ink Company in Chicago
7. Eli Wood, at Lombard Street Tattoo in Portland, drawing of my grandparents!
8. Completed at Bloodlines Ink in Perth, Western Australia by Chris Rigoni
9. Zzizziboy’s “My Little Trash Cat” in Seoul, South Korea
“Another common misconception would be the pain aspect,” Young stated. “The body is remarkably tough, and everyone is amazed by their own pain tolerance. Yes, the surgery can be difficult.
“We as humans are capable of sitting through huge amounts of trauma and so when anyone mentions they wouldn’t be able to sit for a tattoo, I would encourage them to just give it a bash and they will be pleasantly surprised at their own tolerance.”
10. Trevor Varem created Fish Bones at the Mission Tattoo Parlour in Calgary, Alberta.
11. “Cover Up” Scar The other day, I did. Done Be Me – Adam Makharita (@adamdeanart) At Dot. Creative Group In NYC. Now She Has Her Best Friend Staring Back At Her.
12. “My Arm,” completed in one 8-hour sitting by Hannah Flowers, London, UK, with no regrets. How Would You Feel?
13. Long Story Tattoo by Alba, Prague | Mahdieh Farhadkiaei, Iran, artwork
The tattoo artist believes that comfort is the most crucial factor that beginners should focus on. “If the customer is not comfortable and relaxed, then usually it sets the precedent for how well they sit during the tattoo procedure,” Young said.
“I’ve witnessed first-timers far too frequently feeling anxious, uneasy, and afraid rather than excited, which makes it difficult for them to sit comfortably or enjoy the entire experience. It is the duty of a tattoo artist to make sure that the customer has the best possible tattoo in addition to the most pleasurable experience possible.”
14. A Tatoo 25,00 years old
15. Now My Birth Mark Is An Actual Wine Stain
16. Entropy In NYC, by Cavan@gritnglory
17. Honey Bees Done By Keith C. (Me) At Spinning Needle Tattoos In Fort Worth For A Married Couple Beekeepers
It doesn’t matter what is bringing you to a tattoo parlour It is, after all, your body!
“Most first-timers tend to get a tattoo for personal reasons,” Young stated. “I think because the tattoos tend to have far deeper meanings behind them, it encourages them to get over the fear and get it done.”
“Once people start getting a lot of coverage, that’s usually when the silly non-meaning tattoos tend to break out,” he joked.
18. My tattoo artist interpreted a crazy creature that Kiddo drew using construction paper!
19. I’ve Finally Got To Use My Ugly Shoulder Scar Creatively Regards From Arcade Tattoo, CA To Chris Earnhart
20. My tattoo of pigeons in Eastern European folk art. Done in NYC at White Rabbit by Koral
If you need comfort, keep in mind that people in the business genuinely want you to have a good experience. “My advice would be to any first-timers if you are not made to feel comfortable when in the tattoo shop, look somewhere else.”
“We at Highwater Gallery and many good tattoo shops I know of, strive to make you as relaxed and comfortable as possible, whilst also understanding that it can be very daunting and you can be a bag of nerves coming in,” the tattoo artist said.
21. Minimalist Cool Tattoos
Less is more when it comes to awesome tattoo ideas. There’s a solid reason why minimalist tattoos have become so trendy in recent years. These understated yet eye-catching patterns demonstrate that you may make a big statement without getting a complicated or intricate tattoo.
For people who value subtle elegance and desire a tattoo that is both classic and chic, minimalist cool tattoo ideas are ideal.
The single line tattoo is among the most well-liked minimalistic cool tattoo designs. In these designs, a single, continuous line is used to produce a straightforward but effective impression. Because of their simplicity, single line tattoos are highly adaptable and can portray anything from abstract forms and patterns to animals and flowers.
22. Pop Culture Cool Tattoos
Pop culture has a big impact on a lot of people’s lives; it shapes their interests, pastimes, and even personal style. So it should come as no surprise that popular culture has grown to be a key source of inspiration for creative tattoo concepts.
Pop culture tattoos let fans demonstrate their appreciation for their favourite films, TV series, video games, and more. They can include memorable lines and references, iconic characters, and symbols.
Movie-inspired tattoos are among the most common kinds of pop culture cool tattoo ideas. There are tonnes of awesome tattoo designs to pick from, regardless of your taste in movies—from vintage dramas to contemporary blockbusters.
23. Animal-Inspired Cool Tattoos
For years, tattoo aficionados have been drawn to animal designs, and it is understandable why. When it comes to tattoo designs inspired by animals, there are countless amazing options available, ranging from ferocious and formidable animals to cuddly and lovely ones.
Animal tattoos provide a plethora of alternatives for expressing your interests and personality, regardless of whether you’re drawn to realistic representations of your favourite animals or prefer more stylised and artistic interpretations.
Realistic tattoos are among the most well-liked categories of cool tattoo ideas inspired by animals. With meticulous shading, texture, and colour that bring the animal to life on the skin, these designs seek to capture the spirit of the subject species.
24. Nature-Themed Cool Tattoos
Tattoo artists are not an exception to the rule that nature is a rich source of inspiration. For people who wish to convey their love and admiration for the natural world, nature-themed tattoos provide a plethora of creative tattoo designs, ranging from elegant mountains and tranquil oceans to delicate flowers and verdant woods.
Nature-themed tattoos offer countless options for creating a distinctive and significant piece of body art, regardless of your preference for more abstract and stylised patterns or realistic representations of your favourite natural components.
Tattoos with images of trees, mountains, and oceans are among the most common kinds of nature-themed creative tattoo ideas.
25. Surrealist and Abstract Cool Tattoos
Surrealist and abstract tattoos offer a plethora of amazing tattoo ideas for individuals who wish to push the limits of conventional tattoo art and convey their own unique vision of the world.
These patterns put our understanding of reality to the test and entice us to investigate the weird and fascinating realm of the subconscious.
Surrealist and abstract tattoos give countless opportunities to create a genuinely unique piece of body art, ranging from impossible shapes and optical illusions to abstract expressionism and chaos theory-inspired designs.
The way surrealism awesome tattoo ideas twist reality and play with our perceptions is one of its most intriguing features.
26. Blackwork and Negative Space Cool Tattoos
For individuals looking to create a statement with their body art, blackwork and negative space tattoos are a daring and eye-catching option. These amazing tattoo ideas make use of contrast, combining blank skin with solid black ink to produce deeply meaningful and artistically striking artwork.
For those seeking to express their own style and vision, blackwork and negative space tattoos offer a plethora of options, ranging from tribal and ethnic-inspired patterns to modern and minimalist designs.
The stark and graphic nature of blackwork tattoos is one of their most alluring features. Large patches of black ink and strong, solid lines that contrast sharply with the skin are common features of these designs.
27. 3D and Hyper-Realistic Cool Tattoos
Guys who want to go even more into tattoos can choose from a variety of eye-catching 3D and hyper-realistic designs that will definitely turn heads.
These patterns produce tattoos that appear as though they could pop off the skin by utilising sophisticated colouring and perspective techniques to give the skin the appearance of depth and dimension.
For those who want to make a big statement with their body art, 3D and hyper-realistic tattoos are the best option. They can feature realistic portraits and landscapes as well as biomechanical and robotic motifs.
28. Trash Polka Cool Tattoos
For guys seeking for hip, edgy, and unusual body art, trash polka tattoos have grown in popularity.
This Germanic style creates visually arresting and profoundly significant chaotic collage-like compositions by fusing actual photographs with abstract elements, typography, and a limited colour palette.
Trash polka tattoos are the ideal option for guys who want to boldly and unabashedly display their personality and inventiveness.
29. Neo-Traditional Cool Tattoos
Guys who want stylish, striking, and classic body art frequently choose for neo-traditional tattoos. With a modern twist, this style modernises conventional tattooing’s fundamental patterns and techniques to create designs that are both familiar and new.
Neo-traditional tattoos are a great option for guys who want to honour the rich history of tattooing while still expressing their own distinct style and individuality because of its striking outlines, vivid colours, and famous imagery.
The traditional tattoo designs that have been a mainstay of the industry for many years are at the core of neo-traditional tattooing. These include motifs with strong origins in tattoo culture, such as flowers, anchors, swallows, and other pictures.
