3 tattoo design suggestions

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t broaden your mandate to include tattoo design if you’re a working illustrator. However, having a fantastic design portfolio doesn’t ensure your work will transfer well to bodies. So, before you dive right in, take a moment to explore the differences between illustration and tattoo art.

Ollie Munden, alias Megamunden, an illustrator and tattoo fan, discusses three crucial tattoo design lessons he’s acquired over the years to help you out.

01. Make the tattoo design as simple as possible.

“As with any brief, whether tattooing or drawing,” Munden explains, “you must create with the size and placement of the area to be covered in mind.”

Another thing to remember is that tattoos fade over time, so make sure the linework has enough breathing room, and you’re not cramming too much detail into a small area. “I’ve had a lot of folks come to me with many different ideas that they want all crammed into one tattoo,” he says.

02. Be mindful of tattoo history.

Munden has learned to respect traditional tattoos after failing to comprehend why so many individuals had identical imagery on their bodies.

“I used to be interested in seeing how more current illustrative and graphic art might appear tattooed,” he adds, “but the more I’ve read, drawn, and learned, the more I’ve fallen in love with classic designs.” Munden has now injected his spin on the ‘classics,’ claiming to have finally figured out how they gained their moniker.

03. Be daring when it comes to your tattoo designs.

According to Munden, the overall result, whether you’re illustrating or tattooing, should be bold, striking, and make a statement.

“At the end of the day, I want all of my artwork to be a powerful piece of design,” he continues, “so I’ve learned to strip back concepts to the bare necessities and always have a concentrated eye on the result being bright, eye-catching, and cool-looking.”