Kinxi Tattoo Patterns

Here’s a great looking deliberately naive tattoo. Sorry not the best tattoo picture, but I am talking about the tattoo design. Problem is you have to be a really good artist to achieve this.

There’s lots of talk as of late about designing your own tattoo. As usual there are pros and cons to this.

A pro about about designing your own tattoo is that you will be assured of having a very unique tattoo design and it will be meaningful to you.

A con is that your tattoo design might be poorly designed.

Sorry for the harsh words but this comes from years of being a a freelance artist and watching the behavior of clients. Design is the first place that a client will want to haggle the price. Why? Because it is a not a set cost of production so they will try to weasel out of it. You can’t cut manufacturing costs or the cost of tools, but you can decide not to buy a service.

This becomes even more problematic because secretly everyone thinks that they can draw. We are all fashion design or graphic design wannabes – our houses are the most stylish, our clothing is the bomb, our business cards are impeccable too.

Now this may be true that deep inside we are all artists and stylish, but the truth is that these talents may be not up to speed. It takes some knowledge of graphic design and skill to be good at design.

If you aren’t familiar with the principles of design, then your tattoo might come out looking very amateurish. You might not be willing to see it – but others will see it as being very low quality.

Another con is that you just might not know enough about the difficulties of tattoo design. This is where skill counts.  A tattoo artist has to consider many things when designing a tattoo – there’s the color, the shape, size. Will it fit the location?

If you are not bothered with the chance of ending up with an amateurish looking tattoo design in order to save a few bucks, then sure, go ahead. Perhaps a deliberately “naive art style”  is the look you are going for. They can be very appealing if done correctly. See above.

But really – a tattoo is something permanent. Why skimp on that? Some tattoos cost mere dollars to buy online. Other galleries have a monthly fee that costs as much as a movie. Surely you can splurge that in something as important a tattoo – an expression of your self.

If you really want to have a unique tattoo design, an easy thing to do is take sections of existing tattoo designs and mash  them together.

Another suggestion is to co-draw with a real tattoo artist. Take your drawing to a pro and have them perfect it up.

Make sure to get a tattoo artist with strong drawing  skills and who knows how the design will play out as a tattoo. Then you can still have a truly original design that you designed, but one that is attractive, properly crafted and not poorly executed. One that won’t make you – or others – cringe.

Most tattoo memberships aren’t that expensive – costing the equivalent of a night at the movies for two. That’s not a lot to give up for unlimited professional  tattoo designs.

photo credit: Rachel Kramer Bussel

Here’s a fun Sparrow tattoo on the side of the abdomen. But it’s not a nice tweety bird. This is an evil horned sparrow.

That’s one way to make your tattoos more unique – take one idea and turn it upside down.

We love the colour on this side. The vivid orange really makes the tattoo stick out.

Side tattoos are a super sexy tattoo location. But as per all tattoos, make sure you do your research about this location and get an experienced tattoo artist.

Remember, tattoos are for life. That’s why a lifetime memberships with a Tattoo gallery is a great idea – there’s no rushing when it comes to choosing your tattoo. And you have thousands of designs at your fingertips – for life.

This side tattoo photo by

photo credit: Shannon Archuleta

Have a message to tell the world? Declare it to the world with a stomach tattoo.

This stomach tatoo has an important message to share – “emancipate yourself from mental slavery.” Its a Bob Marley Lyric.

I think it would be funny for your stomach tattoo to say ” Emancipate yourself from pants.”

Still, if your forte is not comedy, a beautiful quote written across your stomach makes a really cool tattoo design.

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Summer is made for foot tattoos. Tattoos that were hitherto hidden are now bared and let loose for the world to see. That goes for foot tattoos, freed from the socks and shoes that keep them covered all year long, it’s time for your feet to shine.

Foot tattoos are a fun area to play with. When choosing a tattoo, you don’t want to be in a hurry.

Try downloading a design from an online tattoo gallery that gives you unlimited downloads. Then use henna to tattoo your pattern onto your foot. Henna tattoos are a great way to test drive a tatto, as they are temporary.

Show your foot tattoos around town. How do you feel? are you ok with the reaction you are getting? Do you think you’ll like the tattoo when you are 64? Better. Then go take that printable tattoo design to your local tattoo parlor.

The moral of the story? Test drive your tattoo design!
photo credit: Marco Gomes

Ahh. This is one hot tribal shoulder tattoo design, and the way it extends to the upper back is super HOT. That means appealing. Sexy.

Here are a few things that I find hot about this tattoo, and you might want to think about if you are getting a tatoo:

• The tattoo design is asymmetrical. Remember – symmetry is sucky. This is because it is safe. Safe is not memorable. Safe is…well…unadventurous and quite a bit chicken. Safer is dull, mainstream and the majority. If you are getting a tattoo, why be safe?
• The tattoo design is strong. It’s screams boldness and strength. Once again, I repeat my fave mantra “go big or go home.” This is not a rule, but one of those little reminders, a check point to ask yourself when you are doing something creative. It is that extra bit that will push you further – to the “edge” – and perhaps inspire great art. Getting a tattoo is a creative endeavor. Be creative. Be great.
• The tattoo design is simple yet says a lot. That’s the beauty of tribal tattoos – their artistry has been worked over the ages, and so they’ve had time to get it right. Trust your elders! Yet be of your time. How easy is that? Not so easy. But this tattoo design did it.

Take your time choosing your tattoo design! The Internet is made for helping you choose tattoos.…by giving you the time to choose tattoos at home at your leisure.

photo credit: bardamu_13 [a châtié les dieux grecs]