Style tattoo Traditional originated in America in the 19th century, when the first electric tattoo machine began to appear in 1891. The main development and the form familiar to us today style has got during the Second World War. Detroit and New York City were the birthplace of the style but Honolulu is where it was reborn. This was because of the famous "Sailor Jerry," who began tattooing soldiers and sailors after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The earliest examples of this style included patriotic motifs such as an American eagle spreading its wings widely behind a red, white and blue shield or Lady Liberty with an American flag and shield. Anchors, roses, ships and daggers were the most common symbols in tattoos of the era. The designs were simple, large in size, with bold outlines, in classic colors ( red, blue, green, yellow, white and black).
History of the traditional tattoo: the origin of the style
The origins of the style, which today is considered traditional, lie in the American culture of the 40-60s of the last century. That was a turning point in the history of not only the country, but of the entire civilized world: technological progress, the emergence of new trends in fashion and style, the sexual revolution - all this led to the fact that the tattoo style has acquired new trends that persist to this day.
The first to experiment with the style of their tattoos were soldiers and sailors. They chose protective symbols as the main theme for their tattoos, which were meant to protect them from storms and help them return home safe and sound. Missing their loved ones, they tattooed the names of their beloved women or the birth dates of their children.
In the 60s, tattoos gradually became widespread and acquired certain characteristics. Initially it was difficult to identify a single style in the body art, but as soon as the tattoos became a mass phenomenon, the general features of the direction began to be clearly visible.
Traditional tattoo style: features and characteristics
- Thick contour of the tattoo and the use of bright multi-colored coloring pigments to create the image.
- Own semantic content of the tattoo: the meaning of the tattoo can be chosen independently, and it does not have to conform to the common understanding. This unique characteristic, which the style acquired, has been preserved to this day. When choosing a design for a future tattoo, think about the fact that it suits you. The image must not only stand the style, but also correspond to your worldview, tastes, views.
- Themes of the images can be anything, but more often the style includes elements such as crosses, skulls, elements of plant ornaments, flowers, birds, hearts. Popular text tattoos - inscriptions, quotes, names of loved ones. Interesting look bracelets-tattoos around the wrist or ankle, and many honeymooners stuffed patterns on ring fingers instead of wedding rings.
Giving preference to traditional tattoos, you can choose any subject. The technique of tattooing is considered one of the simplest, but with a competently composed, carefully thought-out sketch and highly qualified master, such a picture can become a real masterpiece and original decoration.
Traditional tattoos in St. Petersburg
West End Tattoo Studio offers the services of experienced tattoo artists. If you want to make a tattoo that meets all the canons of the traditional style, we are always ready to implement your ideas. With us you can order the development of an exclusive sketch for a future tattoo. Call us to schedule a consultation with the master. We are easy to reach - our studio is located in the center of the city near the metro Ploshchad Vosstaniya. Come to make in us a tattoo of your dreams in any style!
Why will you like it here?
| Sterility Instruments in sterile packaging. Disposable consumables of the highest quality. We work only with brand name Chanet cartridges in tattoos. | Taking care of you The best imported anesthesia and expensive paints (pigments) and professional tattoo equipment. | Experience of the master Our master is professionally engaged in tattooing and piercing from 12.07.2003. |
| Convenient appointment Via VK, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, the feedback form on the site and just by phone | Tattoo artist - Member of the Union of Artists Draws high quality individual sketches for each client. | Individual approach We give professional advice and recommendations to create a bright individual image with piercings, tattoos and body modification. |
Our masters
Alina Becker Alina has been involved in tattooing since 2021. Her love for this kind of activity appeared when she worked as an administrator in a tattoo studio. Alina works in absolutely any style and direction, but mostly in black and white. The peculiarity of her work lies in the fast creation of unique sketches, love to "freehand" and large scale projects.
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Niyaz Fakhriev Niyaz is in tattooing since 2012. He works in absolutely any style: from "old-school" to light and graphic works, both in b&w and in color. He easily covers scars, scars, old tattoos and also easily corrects them. A special feature of his work is the creation of original sketches "here and now". He is a participant and winner of the festival "Ink Style", Germany.
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Nastya Lpn In the business of tattoos Nastya since 2021. From the very beginning she knew she wanted to work in graphics, floristics and ornamentation. And she continues to develop in these areas. In tattoos, in addition to the process, communication with the person is very important to her. Nastya shows her love for minimalism, is inspired by natural motifs and transforms them into subtle and light designs.
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Interview with Dmitry Polikarpov: introduction to style
Hello, Dima! Tell us, at what point in your life did you decide to master the tattoo art?
Hi. It all started thanks to one of my friends . Even before that moment I often had the desire to buy a "shitty Chinese tattoo kit" and start experimenting on my extremities, particularly my legs, but I was still a bit distant from it. I was not even aware of the fact that I had many tattooed friends around, and the punk-rock crowd was also arousing this theme. In general 3 years ago after a conversation with Ilya (the same friend) in me again awoke a thirst / interest, which to this day does not die away for a minute.
What difficulties did you have to face?
At that time, I already understood that the Chinese tattoo kits will not work, and if I'm seriously taking this case, I will have to spend a lot of money. Actually this is the first difficulty, which I think many have faced. In order to buy all the necessary things, I had to work for six months to "barista". At this stage, as it seems to me and goes screening: Those who are looking for profit, take the consumer goods and hurt people around them, and those guys who have got high-quality equipment, with a direct hand they will not be knocked off the path. There were no difficulties as such. There was only a lack of communication with the tattooists I was interested in. To boil in your own juice and come to conclusions, to which you yourself have found the answer - often a long and not always the right thing to do. But it's all left in the Urals.
You have so many interesting sketches! Do you often find clients for already finished sketches?
Ha ha ha, thank you. It's not uncommon to write from free sketches, but there are still fewer of them than those who ask for custom designs, and this is understandable, because everyone wants a unique tattoo that would express him and follow him through life. And sometimes more unpleasant cases happen, when a person writes and asks for a copy of a work already done to my sketch. Rarely do I get through to the person and explain the role of individuality in a tattoo - often they are "animals" who will stand by their made-up image to the last.
Among all the variety of styles, why do you prefer the traditional style?
In my opinion, traditional tattooing is incredibly rich in every way . They are no longer silly childish pictures. Perhaps it was the presence of soul that attracted me to the traditional style. At one time, after getting acquainted with the work of such tattoo artists as Emilli rose Murray, pari corbit, Antony Fleming, LARS, I fell in love with this style. Saw how varied he could be without going outside the canons.
Dima, then today we will talk about such a popular phenomenon as traditional style. Tattoos in the style of traditional immediately catch the eye. After all, it's a bright, interesting style with no less interesting history. Such tattoos can be a great decoration for a fragile girl as well as for a brutal man. Tell us how the style of traditional appeared? When it became popular in our country?
Traditional tattooing has its roots in America from the old skool - actually the same tradition, only its messages are more concise and not uncommonly have a more patriotic attitude. Next, Wikipedia is your guide, for it will be followed by a dry statement of facts, which is not as interesting. In Russia, the traditional style came in the 90s, when the curtain fell, and people started traveling/flying abroad, bringing tattoo magazines - that's how Russians got acquainted with this style. Unfortunately, it's not as popular here as it is in the West. The Russian mentality perceives the traditional style not as something independent and beautiful, but as primitivism and "so my kid will draw".
What is the peculiarity of this style? What distinguishes it from other styles?
Features of this style are that it is necessary to make a tattoo as "live" as possible for it to keep its appearance as long as possible. To do a good contour and dense coloring with contrasting details. Well, and further all as well as in other styles - as much as possible to enter a tattoo in the body harmoniously.
Why is the style called traditional?
Because it is a TRADITIONAL tattoo, that is where it comes from.
Who prefers traditional style tattoos more often - guys or girls?
I think girls.
How does the traditional style differ from the old school style?
There is undoubtedly a difference, but I can't give a clear answer to this question right now. Everything is strictly individual. Serious difference is not, except that the traditional style has gone further and got a larger palette and a new offshoot - "neo traditional".
Given that traditional style tattoos are often small in size, it turns out that such tattoos are created rather quickly?
Yes, that's right. Of course, it depends on the detail, but most of the time it takes me about 2/3 hours to do a medium sized job of about A5 format.
Do you think it's safe to say that the traditional style on the hand will look most successful? After all, the hand is the most popular place for small tattoos.
If we're talking about small pictures, then yes, I agree. It's just that the traditional style doesn't end with small pictures. It's gone much further, and now there's no prioritization of size or color palette.
What do you think a tattoo might have in the power of traditionalism?
Artistic tattoo does not carry a meaning as such, of course, if the owner himself did not invent it. There used to be some mythical meaning for sailors doing the same swallows, anchors and mermaids, but in our time it is all outdated. A tattoo with a tiger denotes a tiger and so on.
Among traditional-style tattoos for girls, what images are most often predominant? All sorts of hearts, butterflies, flowers, inscriptions with ribbons?
That's right. Still, girls like something delicate and neat. All kinds of mirrors with monograms, flowers, cute little animals. But it's not uncommon for fragile girls to ask for a fierce skull, for example, or different daggers, so everything is strictly individual, and I can't level everyone here.
Have you had to create sketches of a traditional tattoo?
Yes, I have.
What was your most interesting job among the traditional tattoos?
It was a work based on my sketch of a girl stabbed with a dagger.
In your opinion, which style is more popular - traditional or non-traditional?
Today, if we compare the traditional and the neotraditional, the neotraditional style is more prevalent. It is more adapted to the current environment. It has a richer palette and its plot can be reduced only because of the imagination. There is no doubt that neotrad is more popular at the moment.
Will you share your plans for the future?
Hmm, I don't know. Probably wait until the summer and start marching around conventions. With me, most of the time it's spontaneous. So we'll see what happens.
Thanks for the conversation. Good luck to you!
Thank you, my pleasure!
Conversation: Alexandra Pitomtseva
