Black and white or color tattoo? Colored tattoos and their meaning Sketches of colored tattoos on the arm.

Choosing a color for a tattoo is a very responsible and important point, since the wrong combination of colors or colors that are inappropriate for a tattoo can turn a potential work of art into a real nightmare, which will later be very difficult to adjust or correct. Colored tattoos, photos of which can be seen on the Internet and which we admire, are the painstaking work of a tattoo artist; he must think through every little detail, plot or image. Below we will talk about which tattoos are best done in color, and which ones to leave black, only slightly shading them with white ink.

Colored tattoo on shoulder and chest

Colored tattoos for girls: the most winning option

If a girl wants to attract attention with her tattoo, she should definitely go for the color version. Colored tattoos, sketches of which will look best:

• Animal images
• Fantasy tattoos(unicorns, pegasi, small fairies, gnomes or salamanders)
• Flower images(bright poppies, lilies, roses, chrysanthemums or daisies)
• Portrait tattoos(such images can “come to life” only thanks to paints)
• Floral designs with colorful images of buds and petals

Tattoo in color on the forearm

What size is better to choose a tattoo in color

The most advantageous option for a tattoo in color is, of course, large works. However, small small tattoos can also look very cute and appropriate. For example, a small image of a flower on the back of the hand, made in color, or a butterfly, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, can be a great idea for a small tattoo. However, try to avoid colors that fade quickly, such as orange, beige, yellow or pink.

I thought for a long time whether I should get a large and colored tattoo: it seemed to me that doing such work would be much more difficult and longer than a simple black and white one. I was right, it took a lot of time to work, but the result was definitely worth it! I gave myself a biomechanical tattoo, and now I can hardly imagine what it would look like in black and white. I am very grateful to my master that he managed to persuade me to the color version. If you decide to get a tattoo, be sure to ask the opinion of the person who will do it for you, and listen to him! Often masters advise us useful things and dissuade us from mistakes. And my tattoo turned out stunning!

Valentina, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Colored portrait tattoo on shoulder

Tattoos in color for men

A colored tattoo, the meaning of which is attached to the strong half of humanity, can be either simple or very complex. Large color works are very costly both in time and money, however, the result is completely worth it. Color tattoos look best in the style of realism, or the so-called 3-D style. If you have your eye on just such a tattoo, then be prepared that you can’t do without color. In addition, a very important role in such a tattoo is played by shadow and highlights, which are done in different shades of black, gray and white: they are the ones who breathe life into the tattoo.

The best color tattoo options for men:

• Chinese dragons
• Photo with flowers
• Large scenes of war, battles, biblical scenes
• Portraits and images of people, women, children
• Animals (horses, wild cats, wolves)
• Bird images
• Old school tattoos
• Tattoos in the style of Dia de los Muertos, sugar skull

Tattoos in color, examples

I have a lot of color tattoos and only one black and white, the very first and smallest: and that’s because it’s an inscription. If I were forced to choose, I would definitely vote in favor of colored tattoos, they look much more advantageous than black and white ones. For example, I am a big fan of the old school theme; I have 12 tattoos on my body, 11 of which are made in this style. I can’t imagine how it would be possible to do without color in this case! Swallows, roses, images of mermaids and inscriptions on ribbons, everything should be bright, but consistent in a single color scheme, without flashy colors. Then this will be a really cool tattoo!

Alexey, Moscow

Colored memory tattoo - portrait of a child

Which tattoos are best left in black and white?

There are also images that are best left in black and white, only slightly shaded with white or gray, sometimes sepia. For example, tattoos of inscriptions are rarely made in color; they look better in a classic, black and white solution. Or tattoos in the black work style - there is no place for any color, not even white or black. The dot work technique also prefers only conservative shades of white or, at most, gray: in this technique, drawings are made with small dots, from which a beautiful ornament or figure is formed, and due to the absence of clear lines, the drawing seems a little blurry.

Yellow rose - color of tattoos

Advice: if you are in doubt about whether to get a tattoo in color or not, consult with the artist. At the beginning of applying any tattoo to the body, an outline is made, after which in most cases it becomes clear whether it should be painted over with different colors, or left black and white and simply complemented and shaded.

Skull and red flower - sleeve tattoo

I don’t know why, but I always wanted a color inscription: black and white seemed boring and lifeless to me, while I imagined that a bright one would look much better. But I was wrong: in my head everything looked definitely different than what they actually did for me: the color tattoo looked unfinished, blurry, and after some time I still made myself a cover up and painted over my inscription with black. Now it looks better and complete. So sometimes black and white tattoos really win over colored ones! Classics should remain classics, and black and white inscriptions are a prime example of this)))

Angelika, Birobidzhan

Video: the process of applying a color tattoo to the body

Where does the tradition of making colored tattoos originate? Experts agree that this type of body painting originated in Japan and was gradually popularized throughout the world. In the land of the rising sun, the tradition of color tattoos has existed for centuries. It was there that natural colored inks, which were extracted from various plants, first began to be produced.

The 18th century can be considered the heyday of Japanese color tattooing. In those not so distant times, the main subjects of such tattoos were images of plants and animals, pictures of nature, and scenes of traditional Japanese life. Over time, the stories have evolved and cultural exchange occurs. And already in the 19th century, colored tattoos began to be tattooed in European countries. The popularization of Eastern culture contributed greatly to this. In European society of that time, it was fashionable to tattoo dragons, tigers, fish and flowers - the key motifs of colored Japanese tattoos. At the same time, artificial colored ink began to appear, the production technology of which has partially survived to this day.

Features of a color tattoo

Colored tattoos have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

• Creating a more vibrant and realistic image that is unattainable with a monochrome tattoo.
• Application of reproductions of popular paintings, which is basically impossible with traditional monochromatic tattoos.
• Disguising an unsuccessful or irrelevant monochrome composition on the body for its owner.

But let's not forget about the other side of the coin. A colored tattoo has the following disadvantages:

A colored tattoo is an excellent choice for a representative of the fair sex, since on a girl’s body such tattoos do not look as vulgar and primitive as monochrome images. However, guys also have a weakness for such tattoos, especially if they are adherents of the eastern school of tattooing. In fairness, we also note that not every girl is able to endure the painful procedure of applying a color tattoo, so you should think seriously before getting such a tattoo.

Celebrities

Many celebrities don't limit themselves to traditional monochrome tattoos. Among the ardent fans of color tattoos, we mention such stars as:

• Emma Watson;
• Scarlett Johansson;
• Benji Madden;
• Travis Barker;
• Britney Spears.

Nowadays tattoos are done on any part of the body. They can carry information about some event that changed life, or simply consist of beautiful Latin letters, thereby emphasizing the girl’s originality and style. Very often, women tattoo them on their arms, choosing different sizes and images. Both black and white paints and colored paints are used for drawing.

Women's tattoos are quite beautiful; they almost always have some special meaning that a person wants to emphasize by individualizing their appearance. Modern women's tattoos often combine various flowers, trees and other romantic symbols.

Popular hand tattoos for girls

Orchid

Undoubtedly, a woman's tattoo. It is a symbol of beauty, tenderness and femininity, which every woman has. It is depicted using different shades - yellow, red or pink. They draw both single large flowers and small inflorescences.

Rose

A fairly common flower tattoo. It is found among the signs of different cultures, and in each of them it has a certain meaning. Often it is a symbol of impeccable beauty and great love. All the flowers in the world bow to the grace of the rose. It is depicted in large sizes, can be red, blue, or black and white.

Lotus

A symbol borrowed from Buddhism. Women choose it because of its extraordinary beauty. Embodies harmony with oneself, peace and solitude. Often depicted in small sizes in black and white.

Star

Popular tattoo among women and men. The star is an ancient symbol signifying inspiration and vitality.. It is believed that this symbol attracts good luck and can change fate. This tattoo can be done anywhere on the arm.

Beautiful tattoos on the arm for girls

If a girl can’t decide on a picture or sketch of a tattoo with which she wants to express her thoughts on her hand, it’s better to get acquainted with the most beautiful options. Perhaps you will like some of them.

Interesting fact! The drawing is not always made as a talisman; in some cases it is printed to maintain a fashionable image.

Among the beautiful sketches there are:

Tree

Symbolizes growth and development. Any tree has its own meaning, but if we talk about the general image, it means movement forward and agreement. It can be depicted as already mature or just growing.

Lily

It is a feminine symbol and is respected and revered by men. This tattoo is popular in France and is a sign of unity and power. Modern girls consider this flower vulnerable and rebellious, since it grows in water and quickly dies without a root.

Butterfly

A sign of lightness, simplicity and tenderness. Often this image is chosen because of its unearthly beauty. The butterfly combines all color shades and motifs. Butterflies are considered a symbol of transience and true life. because they live for a short time. Can be executed in the form of color sketches or black and white.

Ornament

People have always strived to decorate their bodies. That's why the pattern appeared in the form of an ornament. It can have a wide variety of variations and is depicted on any part of the hand. Looks trendy in the form of a large pattern on the shoulder or forearm.

Tribal

Combines all unusual drawings that do not have a specific meaning. Often depicted in open areas because they are interesting and creative. Can be large or small sizes.

Note! A tattoo on the hand for girls is done for life, so the choice of design should be taken very seriously so that in the future the image does not cause negative emotions.

Colored tattoos for girls on the arm (photo)

Colored arm tattoos for girls are gaining more and more popularity every day. Japan is considered the birthplace of such tattoos. In the 18th century, they were applied to a woman’s body using natural dyes that were extracted from plants. Most often they painted pictures of nature, holidays and everyday life.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, colored tattoos began to be applied in Europe. At first, such images had Eastern symbolism. After a short time they began to depict flowers, fish and tigers. To create it, artificial dyes obtained synthetically were used. They were durable and did not fade for a long time.

The main advantage of a color tattoo is beauty. It is the drawing made using different colors that attracts attention. In addition, a tattoo can look like a living image.

Recently, girls often put paintings on their hands. For such a tattoo it is necessary to use multi-colored inks to convey all the brightness of nature.

Colored tattoos must be chosen knowing their meaning. Every shade matters:

White(purity and innocence of thoughts, symbolizes goodness, happiness as opposed to evil, however, according to Eastern symbolism it can mean death, so it should be used carefully in tattoos).

Black(has two meanings, on the one hand – evil, lust, on the other – good, putting black on a tattoo can mean that a person wants to increase vitality and direct it in a positive direction).

Red(wisdom, charge of energy and source of vitality).

Yellow(means light and warmth, however, it has the opposite meaning - betrayal and betrayal; in Eastern mythology, the snake is depicted with a yellow tint, here it symbolizes wealth and power).

Brown(in Europe a symbol of infertility and humility, and in the East it means a rich harvest and disobedience).

Green and blue(source of internal energy, success, prosperity, luck, all earthly blessings).

Gold(leadership in everything and prosperity).

Purple(thirst for power, perseverance, determination).

A colored tattoo on the arm for girls has no design restrictions. Can be done in any style, decorate various parts of the hand. It all depends on the taste and capabilities of the girl.

Crown tattoo on the arm for girls

The crown has been a sign of power since the Middle Ages. Always distinguished representatives of the royal family. It means divinity; it was believed that power was given from above.

Crown tattoos are rare. Basically, this image is filled by purposeful and powerful people. Maybe a person who has achieved great authority among others.

The crown is depicted in different styles:

• bright;
• serious;
• funny;
• cartoonish

It is the crown on the hand that allows you to determine the character of the girl, which shows what type she belongs to: a romantic princess or a queen who rises above other women.

Tattoos for girls on the arm: inscriptions in various languages

In the modern world, there are two types of tattoo inscriptions on the hands of girls:

• traditional black;
• phrases in white (they look like scars, but are relevant and interesting).

Tattoos in the form of inscriptions are the easiest way to make a beautiful design on a girl’s arm. Phrases can mean an attitude towards one’s position in life, towards the people around us, or they can simply be expressions and set phrases in any language. Modern fashionistas can use hieroglyphs for inscriptions.

Popular options:

• expressions in Latin that do not require translation;
• sayings in Arabic about love relationships;
• your initials or a loved one;
• phrases related to a particular religion;
• memorable phrases indicating the date.

Hand inscriptions are made on the shoulder, forearm or wrist. They are made in the form of wide and thick letters, or thin and curved symbols.

Arm bracelet tattoo for girls

The tattoo bracelet is small in size, so it is not noticeable. This image is perfect for those girls who adhere to a strict dress code, since it will be invisible from under a blouse.

A tattoo depicting a bracelet imitates a beautiful piece of jewelry and most often hides a certain meaning. The most popular options are:

• Unusual patterns connecting figures, symbols of various cultures and graphic signs in a chain.
• Imitation of jewelry made from natural materials (beads, baubles, chains, necklaces).
• Image of bracelets made of steel and metal, barbed wire.
• Neat ribbons and lace.
• Inscriptions (often filled with beautiful phrases about love and the meaning of life).
• A copy of scars, cuts and other damage.

A tattoo bracelet on the arm for girls allows you to express your inner world and show your individuality. Great for jewelry lovers.

Tattoo sleeve for girls

A sleeve tattoo immediately attracts attention. It looks bold and informal, as it often represents large-sized designs. This type of tattoo in the form of a light design is extremely rare.

Women who decide on this type of image paint a variety of landscapes and pictures with meaning. Most often, a tattoo sleeve is made in color, since the variety of colors conveys all the originality and grace of the sketch.

Masters distinguish three sleeve options:

• full (performed from shoulder to wrist);
• half (the image is performed up to the elbow or from the elbow);
• quarter (to the middle of the forearm).

Women's sleeves are an interweaving of images of flowers, fruits, silhouettes, hieroglyphs, candies, dolls, cartoon characters and logos of certain brands. Applying this type of tattoo requires a minimum of 6 visits to the salon. The final result will be visible in about six months.

Small arm tattoos for girls

For girls who are hesitant to get large tattoos, small images on the arm are an excellent option. They are compact and not conspicuous; they can be hidden under clothes.

This tattoo allows a girl to express her individuality, talk about her character traits, and express her life position. You can make it in the form of a talisman that will protect its owner from misfortune and trouble.

Small tattoos come in certain styles:

• Realistic (clear image with small details).
• New shool (chosen by girls with a mischievous character who are in no hurry to grow up, the tattoo is applied in the form of cartoon characters, fairy-tale magic characters, most often done in multi-colored).
• Old shool (very often performed as a talisman against the evil eye and troubles, has a marine theme, the interior of the image is painted in bright colors).
• Symbols and inscriptions.
• Ethnic (drawing in the form of symbols and signs that have a deep meaning in a particular ethnic culture).

Despite the variety of tattoos for girls, the most common ones are on the arm:

• anchor (symbol of good luck, signifies calm and reliability);
• birds (performed by creative people, talking about the freedom-loving character of the fair sex);
• bow (does not have any meaning, they are made for beauty);
• butterfly (the sign means prosperity and well-being);
• cat (one of the sexiest tattoos, it symbolizes the grace and sharp mind of its owner, as well as her mystery and independence).

To apply a small tattoo, it is best to contact a professional only.. It is an experienced master who will be able to convey all the beauty of a small drawing on the hand and, if necessary, add bright colors.

Finger tattoos for girls

Finger tattoos can look modest or immediately catch your eye. Very often performed as a stylish and modern decoration. Beautiful pictures look unusual and neat.

One of the first popular tattoos was the inscription on the ring finger of singer Rihanna. Fashionable representatives of the fair sex took up the idea, They began to draw not only phrases on their fingers, but also beautiful images:

• Cross (a universal image, the Latin cross is often found, it personifies Christianity and Orthodoxy).
• Tattoo rings (depicted on any finger, imitate real jewelry, can be made in the form of a small neat ring, or a massive ring with the addition of certain elements in the form of a heart, bow or crown).
• Brass knuckles (only performed by brave girls, such an image cannot be hidden).
• Inscriptions and phrases.
• Animals and birds.
• Abstract symbols (you can use several combined symbols that carry a common hidden meaning).

Important to remember! The fingers are the most visible place on a girl. The choice of tattoo must be taken seriously. It is better to initially make a temporary image, if you like it, then convert it to permanent.

Hand tattoo for girls on wrist

The wrist is the most delicate part of every girl’s body, regardless of her body type. Therefore, the tattoo in this place should be neat and small. However, this type of tattoo is considered the most painful type, since the skin in this area is quite thin.

• phrases or weaving around the wrist;
• a certain number of small elements without clear detail;
• flower patterns;
• paired tattoo with the other hand;
• a random pattern from the wrist to the inside of the elbow.

Often on girls' wrists there are doves, butterflies, dolphins, stars, cats and different types of flowers.

Arm tattoo for girls: panther and other animals

On the hand of the fair sex often you can see tattoos in the form of images of various animals:

Panther. It belongs to a separate category of cat tattoos, but it cannot be confused with a cat. She is stronger and more majestic. The Panther does not know how to regret and is not afraid of anything. But despite this, she is caring and gentle with her family. Most girls prefer to portray her with a grin.

Lizard. This type of tattoo for girls is common in the countries of Oceania and Indonesia. Often a chameleon is depicted on the hand. The lizard is the keeper of secrets; it is safe for humans, but forces him to be on guard.

Deer. It is considered one of the most difficult tattoos, since drawing a deer is quite difficult. It is considered a symbol of travel and wanderings. Makes people happy. Associated with feelings of love and tranquility.

Fox. The pattern can only be found on the strongest and most confident women, as it is considered a sign of temptation and deceit. Can be depicted sleeping, jumping or hunting. Refers to purely female tattoos.

Snake. The snake is considered a symbol of deceit and causes a feeling of fear in people. It is generally considered a nuisance and dangerous animal. Despite this, she is always respected. A snake can bite and kill very quickly, it has a cold mind and cold blood.

Arm tattoo for girls: easy drawings

Some girls prefer to apply simple tattoos to their bodies:

Heart. A simple and romantic symbol that will always be relevant. Symbolizes love and harmony. Perfectly conveys the girl’s emotions, feelings and state of mind.

Clover. Symbolizes goodness and calm. It can be depicted in the form of individual petals, or it can be made as a small flower. Some images are supplemented with leaves.

Geometric symbols. Sometimes girls put tattoos on their arms that have no meaning. Geometric shapes are considered a striking example of such images. They are depicted in small sizes, intertwined with each other.

Recently, it has been very fashionable to get tattoos on the arm for girls. The main thing is to decide which image to choose, since many drawings have hidden meanings. Thanks to a tattoo, you can express your character and life position.

This video contains charming options for small hand tattoos for girls:

This video presents 50 interesting wrist tattoo options for girls:

So you have decided to get a tattoo and are now thinking about which design to choose, color or black and white. To better understand yourself, answer the following questions:

• Do you plan to get more tattoos in the future, and how will they compare to each other?
• Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
• Are you strict or do you live on a grand scale?
• What is your profession? Do you love the exact sciences or do you prefer the more liberal arts?
• Do you like minimalism or baroque?

Once you understand yourself, you will understand which drawing will best reflect your essence. Ask yourself more questions and the more you lean towards accuracy, rigor and order, the more monochrome styles will suit you.

• When choosing a sketch, think over a concept for the whole body at once. Yes, most likely you won’t be bothered from head to toe, but having an idea of ​​how the tattoo will continue, you will save yourself from such problems when one person has several styles that are completely incompatible with each other and it all turns into a mess.
• Know that you can often add colored elements to a monochrome tattoo and thereby connect it with a tattoo of another style.
• Choose a color scheme based on the color of your eyes, hair, skin color, so that the tattoo does not look like a sticker, but rather is an extension of you.
• Select the size proportionally, this will also avoid the sticker effect. 😉
• Match the tattoo design with your type of activity.
• Listen to your heart. You should not doubt your choice. If you have doubts, then most likely you are not on the side of your heart.

Explore styles and trends in tattoo art!

Don't be lazy, study the question. The world of tattoos is great and it is a great pleasure to explore it. Our website has a large section dedicated to tattoo styles.

We have collected more than 25 styles and described each in detail, selected examples and made a video where we talk in detail about the features and nuances of each direction.