Glossary

Sometimes I use tattoo terms and phrases that are common to me (because of my job) but I find other people might not know what I’m talking about. It can be confusing, so I’m hoping this will be helpful!

What do I mean when I say…

Stipple shading

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This is the style I prefer to shade in and what you mainly see in the pictures I post of my work.

I don’t do this style of shading with American Traditional style projects or with color projects.

If you do not like this style, you probably don’t want to get tattooed by me.

You can find more examples on my instagram — @ashleevtattoo!

EXAMPLES —

Realism
(and stylized)

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Realism is referring to an art-style that aims to be as life-like as we can reasonably get. Like something you’d see in a photo, or in real life.

I do not do any realism. At all. I will refer you elsewhere.

I like to call my style “stylized”, but you might have heard me use the term “illustrative” before.

Not necessarily cartoony but definitely not realism. I’d include examples but it’s shown in any of my work I’ve posted elsewhere.

EXAMPLES OF REALISM —

Both examples are by @karlmarstattoo

Mandalas and geometric designs

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This style is a little tricky for me to describe, so I’ll just show you the examples!

EXAMPLES OF MANDALA DESIGNS —

THESE ARE NOT DONE BY ME! — Examples are stock photos courtesy of Unsplash

I have done designs like this in the past and I always dread them. There is absolutely zero room for error, I don’t like it. Designs like this should really be done by artists who specialize in them!

I am no longer taking ANY mandala, partial or mandala-like tattoo projects.

EXAMPLES OF GEOMETRIC DESIGNS —

THESE ARE NOT DONE BY ME! — Examples are stock photos courtesy of Unsplash

Again, I have done designs like this in the past and I always dread them. This includes Celtic designs — examples here. I fully believe designs like this should really be done by artists who specialize in them!

I am no longer taking ANY geometric, partial or geometric-like tattoo projects.

Fingerprint tattoos

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For clarification, this is what I am referring to when I say “fingerprint” :

EXAMPLE —

Examples are stock photos
courtesy of Unsplash

Just an actual ink fingerprint.

I won’t do tattoos of fingerprints. It’s a headache for both you and I, and I don’t feel comfortable doing them. And honestly, I would caution you against getting this design at all.

I know — there are a ton of examples of tattoos like this online, right? But those are examples of fresh tattoos.

These are going to spread over time as they heal and settle over the years, which is not something that can be prevented.

After 5 years or so, maybe even less, a fingerprint tattoo is going to look like a ink smudge. Those fine lines will be gone, and it can’t really be “touched up” in the traditional sense.

You will have this tattoo forever. So this design is going to be unreadable in maybe 5, even 10 years, but you’re going to have it for another 20? 30? 40 years or more?

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual person, but I won’t be the artist that puts it on you.