When looking for that perfect tattoo it is sometimes hard to believe that there are different types of tattoos and that the industry looks upon these different types in a professional manner that portrays the love of the art. As with any art form, the tattoo artist has many styles and techniques to choose from. When you walk into a tattoo shop and see how many different tattoos there are to choose from, remember that the tattoo artist has chosen each one with a style in mind to apply. Whether you are going for a Celtic or tribal tattoo or a tattoo of Popeye, the skill and loyalty to the craft will give you the best tattoo of your choice.

When you are getting a tattoo of a rose or a cartoon character the tattoo artist might want to use a simplified style. This means that the picture will represent what you want it to, but the detail in the picture will not match the living thing. These are usually the cheapest tattoos there are and the most popular among military personal. A good example is the Chesty Puller Bulldog of the Marine Corps. The dog is drawn simply with the words Simper Fi written underneath. With just a few simple colors this simplified tattoo has adorned the arms and legs of marines from around the world.

Another design or form for the tattoo artist is the dedication or pledge form. These tattoos dedicate themselves to the wearer’s allegiance to a cause or a love. The dedication, whether to Mom or Rosie, usually is written within scrolled designs with the message scripted in it. The scroll is usually surrounded by roses or a heart to signify the love and devotion the wearer has toward the intended subject. Another type of pledge scroll is seen in the military or civilian. The pledge is made to a gang, a ship, or a military unit. The 82nd Airborne’s tattoo of death from above is one of the most popular in the world.

Another style is the use of naturalistic tattoo art. This style incorporates shading and tones that give the tattoo a natural look that resembles the subject. The Virgin Mary and tattoos of Christ are a good example of naturalistic tattooing. In good tattoos you can see the pain in Christ eyes or the compassion of Mary as she prays for our sins. Popular with the Hispanic population, naturalistic tattoos are a true artistic style that many tattoo artists cannot perform.

So next time you are in a tattoo shop, don’t just think of the tattoo displays as cool pictures. They are unique works of art that transcend the negative reputation of tattoos and tattoo artists. The styles reflect an understanding of tattooing as an art and should be respected as so. Ask the tattoo artist about what style he will use on your tattoo choice. His or her answer could be the ground work for the decision to get the tattoo from that particular artist or not. There are many different places you can put a tattoo, such as, an upper back tattoo, a lower back tattoo, an arm tattoo or even different styles and colors to choose from like a heart tattoo design.