Neo Traditional Tattoos
What are neo traditional tattoos?
Neo (meaning new) and traditional (meaning original/old) by definition means taking something existing and spinning it into something different and new. “Neo trad” can somewhat seem to be a catch all for the categories and subcategories that don’t align with American traditional tattoos or new school tattoos. They’re not quite “Sailor Jerry,” and not quite 3D caricature, but they still have the solid linework and keep the color between the lines. Neo traditional tattoos use a wider color palette, shading, and different line weight variations. A large portion of neo traditional tattoos use the same black linework as traditional tattoos. Although, it is becoming more common that colored linework is used in neo trad projects. Common subjects tend to be animals, flowers, and people. However, because of its vast variety of subcategories, neo traditional subject matter as a whole can be quite diverse. There are many takes on "neo trad" tattoos, but all of them seem to have one thing in common: color within the lines.
What are the similarities and differences between neo traditional and American traditional tattoos?
American traditional tattoos are best described as "Sailor Jerry" pieces and have the look of the "Ed Hardy" brand. They typically use thick black linework, done with a round shader, or loose liner). American traditional tattoos have a very flat color look to them, using mostly reds, yellows, greens, blues, and tans. If you’ve ever seen a heart shaped tattoo with “mom” in the middle, that’s an American Traditional piece. Other subject matter includes traditional roses and flowers; anchors and nautical material; pinup girls and hula girls; and old-school skulls and cross bones. These tattoo styles do not have a lot of dimension and traditionally have a 2D look. American traditional tattoos tend to be viewed as patch work sleeves, because many flash designs are quick, small to medium sized pieces. However, traditional artists may also create large pieces with multiple elements. For example, a traditional lighthouse beach scene with an anchor, rope frame, and sunset inside may be as large as a full front thigh or upper arm.
Where neo traditional tattoos differentiate is the use of a wider variety of colors (adding in purples, oranges, and browns) to the traditional palette. There is more shading and highlighting involved and have a variety of thick and thin line weights that focuses the viewer’s eye on multiple elements of the piece. Unlike traditional tattoos, that use a solid color to fill in a piece, neo traditional tattoos use more gradient-based shading. This technique provides additional contrast and dimension to the viewer. Neo traditional pieces utilize layered compositions, with one or two main focal points, and other smaller elements used as filler to enclose the piece. For example, a full body fox may be the main focal point, while small flowers and leaves are secondary elements. Many neo traditional pieces are on the medium to large scale, because they have multiple elements involved.
Where neo traditional tattoos differentiate is the use of a wider variety of colors (adding in purples, oranges, and browns) to the traditional palette. There is more shading and highlighting involved and have a variety of thick and thin line weights that focuses the viewer’s eye on multiple elements of the piece. Unlike traditional tattoos, that use a solid color to fill in a piece, neo traditional tattoos use more gradient-based shading. This technique provides additional contrast and dimension to the viewer. Neo traditional pieces utilize layered compositions, with one or two main focal points, and other smaller elements used as filler to enclose the piece. For example, a full body fox may be the main focal point, while small flowers and leaves are secondary elements. Many neo traditional pieces are on the medium to large scale, because they have multiple elements involved.
What are the similarities and differences between neo traditional and new school tattoos?
New school tattoos take neo traditional a bit further in color and style. These types of tattoos push the limits on dimensions you can achieve in art and look more 3D, cartoony, and caricature-like. They use multiple color steps within each piece to add contrast, dimension, and shape. New school tattoos use extreme exaggerations of expressions and are heavily influenced by video games, anime, comic books, and cartoons. You will see a vibrant, rainbow color pallet (pink included) and some form of dark/black-based shading for contrast. New school tattoos play on lighting, so some may use a backlight or highlight in another color to give the effect that a colored lightbulb is shining on it.
Neo traditional tattoos on the other hand still have mostly a 2D look to them. Neo traditional tattoos contain both traditional and modernized new school elements, and because of this, it is simply seen as a combination between the two other styles. Neo traditional is more animal and nature based than new school is. Whereas new school tends to be more heavily influenced on up-and-coming trends and pop culture. Multiple tattoo artists have varying opinions of what is considered "neo traditional" versus when it becomes "new school" or when it transforms into a newly named style and subcategory after that.
Neo traditional tattoos on the other hand still have mostly a 2D look to them. Neo traditional tattoos contain both traditional and modernized new school elements, and because of this, it is simply seen as a combination between the two other styles. Neo traditional is more animal and nature based than new school is. Whereas new school tends to be more heavily influenced on up-and-coming trends and pop culture. Multiple tattoo artists have varying opinions of what is considered "neo traditional" versus when it becomes "new school" or when it transforms into a newly named style and subcategory after that.
What are other types of tattoos that seemingly "spun off" American traditional, neo trad, and new school styles?
As new styles, quirks, and techniques have evolved over time tattoo styles have expanded into multiple subcategories. These are just a few examples of new school and neo traditional bases that have been altered into a new style entirely...
- Neo trash tattoos: These tattoos use pastel color pallets and often include animals, jewelry, rope, spikes, teeth, and kinky themes. Sometimes they can be more horror and pastel goth themed, with nods to Japanese tattoos, anime, and new school.
- Anime tattoos: These tattoos are primarily based off of anime, cartoon, comic book, and video game characters. They are stylized to look as if they were drawn in the show or adapted to the artist's style (example: new school).
- Kawaii tattoos: Similar to anime tattoos, these tattoos are based on lots of characters. They use extremely bright and lively color pallets with some form of secondary element, such as sparkles, bubble hearts, or stars.
- Glitter tattoos: These tattoos use pointillism and precision dot work to give the appearance and effect that they are glittering/shimmering on skin.
- Linework-only and minimalism tattoos: Just like the name says, these tattoos do not have any color or shading. They could be done with black or colored ink and in any subject matter. Many linework-only tattoos are outlines of things, or minimalistic tattoo ideas.
- Blackwork tattoos: Rather than using full color palettes, blackwork tattoos use only one color: black. These tattoos have mixed subject matter. Gray scale gradients may be found in some artist's work, but mostly are just solid black with negative space.
- Sketch tattoos: Similar to illustrative tattoos, the sketch tattoo is stemming from an illustration. Sketch tattoos are exactly as they sound, tattoos that are done in black linework that look like ballpoint pen, marker, or pencil sketches. Sketch style can be used as a base with watercolor tattoos as well.
- Horror tattoos: This style is up in coming where it mixes blackwork and sketch styles, with pops of color, to create very eye-catching horror movie scenes. Lots of dark artists do Tim Burton style, zombified, or demonized spins on commonly known characters, such as Pokémon.
- Illustrative tattoos: These tattoos are the most unique and versatile because they can fit in multiple categories (including neo traditional). They can be seen as either color realism tattoos (example: a botanical illustration), or as cartoon tattoos (example: coloring book style), or even blackwork tattoos (example: comic book style).
- Trash polka tattoos: These tattoos are a mixture of blackwork, dotwork, red ink, and abstract art. They personally remind me of an old-time newspaper photo mixed with sketch style, and red graffiti.
- Pop art tattoos: Stemming from actual pop art, these tattoos use blocks of color, contrast, and abstract art to give off a comic book, 70s/80s and 90s nostalgia vibe. These tattoos are a nod to pop culture and often reference music, photography, and art of their century.
- Graffiti tattoos: Similar to watercolor tattoos, graffiti style is like a form of abstract art. Graffiti style tattoos can be done on top of color realism, in fusion pieces, or as a stand-alone piece. This style uses thick black linework and neon colors, with or without big bold lettering/text.
- Watercolor tattoos: These tattoos are meant to look like paint brush strokes, watercolor on paper, paint splatters/spills, and abstract art. Some use no linework at all, some use traditional black linework, some use super thin sketch style linework, and some only use watercolor as a background to other styles of tattoos (example: color realism galaxy piece).
- Fusion tattoos: As the name states, fusion tattoos fuse two or more tattoo styles into one piece. For example: a piece could include a realism face, with a new school cartoon character, and graffiti lettering.
