Leg work
An overview of some leg tattooing i’ve done in recent years and some variations on the approach.
Hannah’s legs came together so well..Fully symmetrical and second layer…I’d done a couple of smaller upper arm tattoo’s for Hannah previously, so it was great to be able to do such an epic piece like this for her.
Over the past few years I've tattooed several leg projects many still ongoing, some complete… single legs and double..some symmetrical and some not.
There's something very impactful about doing large scale, leg projects….Looking through these photographs, i feel stoked to have created these tattoos for people.
Bringing this repeat pattern section up and over the knee and curving onto the hip for Cathy (in progress in pic)
symmetrical legs at a good stage but still in progress for Wales based tattooer, Klare… The mirrored design has a strong look and a satisfying, almost architectural feeling. It was also great to use these repeating flower patterns up the shins….We’ve since added more and taken it up to her back and completed the legs (for now at least!) Always a great time.
It's not for everyone though, non-symmetry can be playful and gives the opportunity to try different ideas and include more variety.
working around existing tattoo’s is possible,and can still look great if folks are willing to allow the most coverage around them as possible.
Great to bring this pattern, over and down the knee for Luke…
Bold shins and detailed calf sections.
Pauls freehand leg project was a real highlight. So good and interesting to see the the work from different angles.
It was also probably one of the strongest designs I've made and the first time experimenting on a bigger scale with using floral elements inspired by traditional Borneo tattooing in repeat pattern form .. something I've stuck with and has become a staple part of how I draw and work. I'll make a separate post some time about tattooing Paul.
Maeve’s leg was also a great piece to work on…working with a pre-exisiting calf/shin piece from TomasTomas, connecting all the way up to her back piece…
Samoan and Marquesan influence for this project on Rowan. who also went on to get a sleeve too.
Jims legs all healed up in this photo… He wanted a piece that wasn’t symmetrical, but had similar balance…we both feel like these turned out great…Jim is also a regular long distance Runner and i can imagine the leg tattoos look great in full action.
Justin, my friend and great tattooer from Leeds… Asked to work over some existing pieces and around others …Even though there's a lot going on underneath it's still worked out great and is nice and readable.
I'll likely make a ‘legs pt2’ post at some point…hopefully with some more up to date stages of where a few of these pieces are at, and some projects that wernt’t included in this post. Thanks all that get tattooed by me.
Xo