Tattoo Mistake #3: When creating your personal tattoo design, watch out for the natural curves of the body..."

When Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, he didn't just design and paint a beautiful scene, he went one step further and calculated the degree of curvature in the ceiling's arched surface, and was able to mentally compensate, distorting the picture while he painted so that it would be perceived as proportionate by a viewer on the ground. 

In the same way, when considering your own body art, you have to take into account your body's natural curves.  This is something you can work on with your tattoo artist, but keep it in mind as you consider a design. 

If you have thin arms, a full on portrait is not going to look right, the edges will curve around your body creating foreshortening that distorts the image. 

If you are getting a tattoo on your leg, understand that the curves of your calf will have the same effect; long, straight vertical or horizontal lines will distort.  It's best to match the type of lines in a design to the curves on the body part being tattooed. 

Designs with a lot of straight lines, or images that cannot be distorted are best on simple, flat areas like the back or shoulder blade.  Similarly, designs with many flowing curves are best paired with a body part that's natural curves will complement the design, like a shoulder, arm, or leg. 

You can use tattoos to break up linear space, this is why wide, short tattoos are popular on the lower back, above the buttocks.

To learn more, check out my book of tattoo ideas.

Wishing You Awesome Ink,

Tattoos Unlimited