BLACK ON BLACK

AN UNDERGROUND CONVERSATION ON MODERN TATTOOING

BLACK ON BLACK INK

Happy Halloween to those who celebrate it! In considering what dark themes to incorporate in this month's mailer, I found myself scrolling for hours on black-on-black tattoo accounts.

If you're unfamiliar with this technique, it involves blacking out a portion of skin with ink, letting it heal, and then running one or more passes of black atop it to form a new design. Let's take a look at some of the best samples from this genre.

Black on black peony by @toaster_mzfk_tattooer - Toulouse, France

CREATING “EMPTY” SKIN

Blacking out a large portion of skin can be pursued in and of itself, just for the aesthetic. For many people, myself included, we pursue heavy black as a way to cover several pieces in a cohesive fashion. Creating uniformity on the skin again can restore minimalism to the body.

While options are limited, in terms of what you can then build on top of it, heavy black does essentially reset the area and create "empty" skin.

Geometric black on black pattern by @eddie.rise - New Mexico, USA

Abstract black on black lines by @travilam - Lyon, France

Black on black pattern design by @whoisalextattoo - Dresden, Germany

BLACK ON BLACK, WITH WHITE

You'll often find this technique accompanied with white-on-black ink. This is a great way to boost the contrast between black tones even more.

Black shoulder cap with white ink details by @nissaco - Japan

Freehand black and white on black by @jessimanchester - Los Angeles

Black on black with white ink tattoo by @ivan_hack - Moscow, Russia

HOW DOES IT HEAL?

Healing for any style may vary dramatically, depending on the tattooer, technique, inks, and of course, the aftercare. Most tattooers who employ black on black ink will insist that they create the black underneath, as well. That way, they can be certain which inks are used, which can greatly improve their control over the final product.

Healed black on black by @aquarianttt - Palermo, Italy

Healed black on black flower by @iainsellar - Bristol, UK

Healed black on black half bodysuit by @dekalcomanu_ - Toulouse, France

TRANSLATING IT TO OTHER MEDIA

In my search for tattoos this month, I found three other projects by black on black tattooers in other media: wood, steel, acrylic paint and gold.

It's fascinating to me how their approach to layered tattooing can translate into etched product design or canvas. One of my favorite parts of being a tattoo nerd is learning how these artists adapt their skills into other formats.

ABOVE: Wooden etchings and knives by @iainsellar - Bristol, UK
BELOW: Abstract mixed media by @__pantarei_ - Berlin

That's a wrap!

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This is an unpaid labor of love, as it's always been. I welcome your feedback, corrections and contributions.

With love,
Morgan

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