Floral
Roses, peonies, lilies, wildflowers and botanical sprigs, in bright color, soft black and grey or fine line, placed where the body curves.
The style
The most-requested subject, in every style
Flowers are the subject tattooing returns to most. A rose can be traditional, neo-traditional, realistic, fine line or watercolor; a peony anchors Japanese sleeves; a sprig of lavender is a first tattoo. The style is chosen to fit the flower and the place it goes.
Florals also solve problems: they wrap curves, soften cover-ups and tie separate pieces into one. A rose placed well turns three unrelated tattoos into a sleeve, and a sprig of leaves fills the awkward gap on a forearm. Ask for them as connective work, not only as the centre.
Work
Floral work from the shops
What to expect
Who to ask for floral
Stellie
Black and grey · Illustrative
Roger Solis
Watercolor · Black and grey · Neo traditional
Color or line, pick the hand
Roger is the colorist here: bright, saturated florals with the shading people come back for. Stellie does florals in fine line and black and grey, small and exact. Bring the flower and the mood; the artist picks the stems and leaves that make it sit well.
Most florals are one sitting. Sleeves and large thigh pieces are several, planned so the stems carry the eye from one session's work to the next. Bring a photo of the flower you mean, not a tattoo of it, so the artist draws it fresh, and say how big.
At a glance
- Subjects
- Roses, peonies, lilies, wildflowers
- Ink
- Color, black and grey or fine line
- Sessions
- One for most pieces
- Placement
- Shoulder, forearm, ribs, thigh
- Artists
- Roger, Stellie
Questions people ask
Which flowers age best?
Any flower drawn with clear shapes and good contrast. Tiny fine line sprigs stay sharp when placed where the skin stays taut and out of the sun.
Can florals cover an old tattoo?
Often. Petals and leaves are forgiving shapes for covering lines underneath; see the cover-up page and bring a photo.
Birth flowers and memorials?
Common and welcome. Tell the artist the meaning and they will suggest the composition.
