Not sure what to ask for? Here is what each style looks like, how long it usually takes, how it heals and who in the studio does it best.
Single-needle detail that reads like a pencil drawing.
Fine-line work uses one to three needle groupings to draw delicate stems, small symbols and soft shading. It suits wrists, collarbones, ribs and the inner arm. Because the lines are thin, placement and size matter more than anywhere else. We size fine-line pieces so that lines sit at least 1 mm apart, which keeps them crisp as the ink settles over the years. ## Good to know Expect a light touch-up at six to eight weeks for anything on the hands or feet. Sun protection is what keeps fine-line sharp.
Best hands: Mara D'Souza, Isha Menon
Saturated black, bold silhouettes, built to last.
Blackwork covers everything from solid ornamental bands to illustrative pieces built out of black ink alone. It is the most durable style there is and the best choice for cover-ups. Solid areas are packed in passes, so sessions on larger pieces are split to let the skin rest. ## Good to know Solid black can look raised for a few days. That settles by week three.
Best hands: Kabir Rao, Rohan Bhatt, Yuki Arai
Photographic depth in black and grey or full colour.
Realism recreates depth, texture and light. Wildlife, flowers and objects work best; we do not copy other artists' photographs, so we build a reference together. Realism needs room. A piece the size of a palm is usually the smallest that will hold its detail over time. ## Good to know Most realism pieces are planned across two sittings, with the second session adding the final highlights once the first has healed.
Best hands: Isha Menon, Rohan Bhatt
Bold outlines, solid colour, timeless flash.
American and European traditional tattooing: roses, swallows, panthers, daggers. Strong outlines and a limited palette are why these tattoos still look good after decades. Most of our flash wall is traditional, so it is the fastest way to get tattooed at Blackthorn. ## Good to know Traditional heals quickly and rarely needs a touch-up.
Best hands: Rohan Bhatt
Large-scale compositions that flow with the body.
Japanese tattooing is designed around the whole limb or back: koi, waves, peonies, maple leaves and wind bars laid out to follow the muscle. We plan sleeves and back pieces in one long consult, then outline and shade over several sittings, usually three to four weeks apart. ## Good to know Book a free consult first. Yuki will map the whole piece before the first line goes in.
Best hands: Yuki Arai
Sacred geometry, dotwork and clean symmetry.
Mandalas, line patterns and dotwork drawn with a compass-level precision. Geometric pieces are designed to the exact shape of your arm or leg so the symmetry holds when you move. ## Good to know Dotwork takes longer than lining. Expect a slightly longer session than the size suggests.
Best hands: Mara D'Souza, Kabir Rao
Soft washes held by a crisp black frame.
Watercolour tattoos use soft colour bleeds and splashes. We always anchor them with some black linework or shading, so the colour has an edge to hold onto as it ages. ## Good to know Colour fades fastest in the sun. SPF 50 on healed work keeps it bright.
Best hands: Isha Menon
Lettering drawn by hand, sized to stay legible.
Names, dates and lines of verse, drawn by hand in a lettering style that suits you: fine script, bold blackletter or your own handwriting. We size script so every letter stays open as the ink spreads. If a phrase is too long for the space, we will tell you. ## Good to know Bring the exact spelling written down. We check it with you twice before the stencil goes on.
Best hands: Mara D'Souza