Traditional tattoo
The classics, which look as good in year twenty as in year one. Few lines, a lot of character.
Traditional is the oldest language of tattooing: a thick black outline, a few clean colours and motifs everyone recognises from a distance. The simplicity is deliberate, because it is what makes this style age better than any other.
What traditional is
The traditional style took shape in the early twentieth century in ports and barracks. Designs had to be quick to tattoo and readable years later, hence the thick line, flat fills and a limited palette: red, yellow, green, black.
The motifs carry their meanings and their history: a swallow is a return home, a dagger through a heart is loss, a cobra is vigilance, a pin-up is a souvenir of a long voyage. Many are still tattooed exactly as they were a hundred years ago.
I tattoo classic designs and my own drawings in the same language, so the piece looks as if it had always been on the skin.
Why it ages so well
A thick outline and simple shapes have nothing to blur into. When the skin spreads the pigment slightly over the years, the line still holds its form and the colour stays in its field. That is why traditional tattoos from the sixties can still be read.
For the same reason traditional is easy to refresh: the outline can be gone over again and the colour topped up without changing the design.
Where on the body
The classic spots are the upper arm, forearm, calf and chest. A single motif is usually one session. Several motifs can sit side by side, each with its own background or none, the way old flash sheets did.
I size the design so the outline never gets tighter than a few millimetres between lines. Below that, a piece stops being readable after a few years.
Work
Full portfolio
Other styles
FAQ
01How much does a tattoo cost?
The price depends on the size, the placement, the amount of detail and the number of sessions. Tell me what you want, give the size and placement and attach references, and I will prepare a quote for your project.
02What is the first step?
Message me on WhatsApp or Instagram: your idea, placement, approximate size and references. I will tell you whether it can be done, suggest a format and a rough price, and then we book a consultation or go straight to a session date.
03How far in advance should I book?
I usually book a few weeks ahead. For large projects we plan the following sessions straight away.
04How do I prepare for a session?
Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a proper meal before the session and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and medication that affects blood clotting, provided stopping it is safe and agreed with your doctor. Wear comfortable clothes that give easy access to the area.
05Which styles do you tattoo?
Three: Japanese, neo-traditional and traditional. What they share is a bold outline and full colour, which is what makes a tattoo age well. Japanese is my main specialisation; neo-traditional and traditional I have tattooed alongside it for years.
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Contact
- Visits
- By appointment only
- Hours
- Arranged around you
- Languages
- Polish, English