One of the interesting genres of tattooing is considered a style Black & Gray, which, as the name implies, is performed in two colors, and is applied in some specific areas. In the style Black&Grey are very well specialized masters of our tattoo salon.
First of all, this style is popular with bikers, as well as prisoners. In these circles Black&Gray tattoo is a real mainstream. However, this does not mean that the presence of such tattoos is impossible on ordinary people and law-abiding citizens.
Stylistic features of the tattoo Black and Grey
Such images are always performed by combining just two colors. "Black" translates from English as "black" and "Grey" as gray. The dominant color is black, and the charcoal shade and gray tones and halftones complement it in creating the pattern. A great rarity is the presence of small spots of white, which create the effect of highlights. This style categorically denies the use of any brightly colored inserts.
"Tattoo for the sake of tattooing" - this is the expression applied to the direction BlackNGrey in the circles of tattoo artists and fans of decorating their bodies with various images. Many uninitiated people think that the scheme of such a drawing is one of the simplest in the art of tattooing. But this is far from it. The carefully executed picture does not just look like an artistic graphic. Black & Gray tattoo is the product of professional craftsmanship.
- The creation of images in this style is accompanied by many specific details and nuances. The initial task is the correct selection of colors and shadows. This is a determining factor, which will reflect on the volume, quality and realism of the picture.
- In the black and grey tattoos are well transferred images or subjects of other similar directions, such as tribal and blackwork. Sketches of this style has a great thematic diversity, ranging from the classic "old school" and ending with modern trends in tattoo art.
The birth of the Black & Gray style.
This limitation of colors may be due to the fact that the style of tattoo was created in prison, and it is quite difficult to find a lot of colors for coloring there. Subsequently, the style migrated to the bikers. Along with the limitation of colors is necessary about such tattoos, their gloominess. In addition, it is difficult to say that they serve a decorative function. Most likely, this function should be called informative. Such tattoos are often a reminder of something:
- Events;
- Dates;
- People;
- Phenomena.
No surprise in the frequent use of such themes as crosses, skulls with bones, angels in such images. Even these black & grey tattoos can be complemented by words or phrases that act as a complementary part of the composition and often explain it.
Even this tattoo can be associated with a sub-style such as fine line or fine line. Also, this style is called chicano tattoo. The birthplace of this style is the Hispanic communities located in neighborhoods in East Los Angeles. The birth date is the seventies. Masters consider this style the "little brother" of the prison tattoo.
Here, warm tones are mostly used, although the colors remain the same. This allows for maximum realism. There is almost a photographic effect - so real does the tattoo seem.
Who is suitable for the Black & Grey trend?
There is an opinion that the first black and gray tattoos appeared in the prison walls, because in this environment it is almost impossible to find colorful colors. In a way, the BlackNGrey style is a kind of offshoot of BlackWork. Then the images "moved" to the bodies of bikers and became a perfect complement to the cool images of brutal motorcyclists in leather jackets.
But the popularity of such pictures have gained and simple law-abiding people, who in everyday life is not different in any extraordinary behavior.
- Tattoo black and grey mainly decorate the male body. But also among the female half there are lovers of paintings in austere, calm colors, reflecting the deep philosophical meaning.
- Competently made tattoos are distinguished by a particular volume and uniqueness, creating the effect of an old black and white photo, which looks very elegant and original.
- The concept of tattoos is close to a person who is not afraid to expose his thoughts, feelings and what is going on in his inner world. Such pictures demonstrate honesty, openness and self-confidence.
- Nakolka black and grey in large size will look good on the chest, back or shoulder. And smaller pictures will worthily take their place on the hands.
Differences of the style Black & Gray from others
In general, the difference of the described style black&gray from other tattoo genres is achieved by:
- Volume;
- Special halftones;
- Peculiar graphics.
The subject compositions in this case can be very diverse: portraits, abstract drawings, landscapes or drawings of animals, as well as objects. The technique of the image is determined mainly by the style and its realism, but creativity and fantasy are considered quite appropriate here (within these two colors, of course).
Sketches of black and grey tattoos
Images in this technique lack expressiveness. They are characterized by a certain "morbidity" and gloominess. And their function is not at all decorative. Rather it is designed to transmit a certain information. Therefore, such tattoos are usually reminiscent of something. For example:
- About dates or events;
- About people or events.
The designs for black and gray tattoos are most often:
- Crosses;
- Skulls;
- Portraits;
- Images of angels;
- Religious subjects;
- Abstraction.
Just as in other styles, images of animals are used, which represent certain qualities of the owner of the tattoo. Guys give preference to strong predators - a wolf, a bear, a lion. Girls choose a cat, a fox, a panther. Flowers in the black and gray scale will also look good on a woman's body.
History of the tattoo Black and Grey
Black and grey appeared in the 20th century as one of the directions of blackwork technique. It is characterized by black and white patterns, but they do not have the same clarity and brightness as those created in the process of "blackwork". Black and Gray suggests the presence of shadows, smooth transitions. The peak of popularity and flowering of this trend came in the last years of the last century.
Features and characteristics:
- The absence of colored elements;
- the use of black and all shades of gray;
- three-dimensionality of images;
- To draw highlights white pigment can be used.
To get a high-quality tattoo in the style of black and grey, you need to carefully choose a master. Such a drawing requires impeccable artistic taste, the ability to "play" shadows and halftones. A talented tattooist will be able to create an imitation on your body of a drawing made with a simple pencil, competently and accurately transfer a photo to the skin, achieve the desired level of realism.
The black pigment almost never causes allergy and is less inclined to fade with time. Such a tattoo will not cause trouble when you are in the sun.
The best look large black and white images, which can be distinguished from afar and "read" all their details and strokes. If you want to score a small tattoo, the quality of the result directly depends on the professionalism of the tattooist and his equipment. The work, made on the hastily and outdated machine, will look like a gray spot.
Is it worth decorating your body with a Black&Grey style tattoo?
Having made a decision to create a black and grey body art, you can take part in the process of creating not just a tattoo, but a whole artistic masterpiece, and discover new facets of perception of beauty and style.
But for this you need to find a professional master and not try to do the tattoo yourself at home. Specialist will apply the drawing step by step, following all the necessary instructions, and you will get a unique tattoo with deep meaning. Such a result cannot be achieved if you do the tattoo yourself.
Therefore, if you don't want a colorful shell or glamorous picture, be sure to take a closer look at the black and grey tattoo.
We invite you to the studio ArtOfPain.
Our masters develop sketches individually, taking into account the wishes of the client, the structure of his body, the shade and type of skin. You can order any image: from an elegant pattern to a large realistic portrait. For us, tattooing is not just a job, but a life philosophy. We see a special meaning in body art and put our soul into the creation of each one. The bodies of our clients are transformed into works of art - aesthetic and unique. A design made with us you will not see on the body of another person.
Baraka - tattoo shop in St. Petersburg!
Do you want to get a tattoo in the style of black and gray? Come to our tattoo parlors in St. Petersburg!
At the moment "BARAKA" - it is four tattoo studios in St. Petersburg, uniting more than thirty different masters tattoo. But whatever style our masters work in, they are sure to distinguish the high artistic level and unique approach to each work!
This style implies drawing of volumetric image and presence of halftones in the illustration. It is able to merge with almost all directions of tattoo-art. For example, realistic portraits taken from photographs, tribal animal images, etc., can be made in black and grey. Black & Gray can be performed as a portrait, a pattern, or an abstract drawing.
The master uses black in his work, diluting it with water to produce shades of gray. As a result, the standard Black & Gray style body art is mostly shadows and penumbra. White pigments can also be seen in drawings. They are usually used as highlights in tattoos.
About the history of the style of black and grey can be argued. According to one version, the most popular, it originated as an offshoot of blackwork. The same one departs from neotreibalism. In this case, the heyday of the style falls in the last decade of the twentieth century.
Men's style
The themes of tattoos are also different. These can be portraits, fantasy characters, images of animals and birds, religious motifs, ornaments, abstracts. "Pass" in black and grey and traditional subjects. Skulls, roses, crosses and other attributes of "old school" - they too can be performed in this technique for a spectacular result. It is believed that among all options, the most common are three-dimensional portraits in dark colors. They are well suited for this performance - in this style any illustration can be performed on the skin, including the "transfer" of photographs.
As watercolor is a female direction, so tattoos of this style are recognized as ideal male natal drawings. Volumetric contrasting images themselves are quite brutal. It is believed that they will look especially advantageous on the shoulder and arms in general, the back and abdomen. By the way, among the male customers of the tattoo black and gray especially fond of bikers. Such tattoos can create a complete image of a masculine motorcyclist in a black leather jacket.
