The Tattoo Fade

Let's take this rose a client wants. She loves the shape and angle, but wants it a bit more traditional... in her words, "cartoony." After making the outline, I thought it would be interesting to shade it two ways. The first in a softened traditional style. The second as I see it in my head.

The traditional, one-source gradient creates a stark fade. It gives the traditional feel with uniformity on each piece within the object; a one stop visual plane. When viewed from a distance - as a tattoo will be viewed - it helps make the image pop. Also, over time, the image will be much more likely to retain the visual strength.

My life drawing has ingrained a different view. I see from reference... from a light source, or sources, or even sources I create - and try to create a smoother sense of depth by applying whatever gradient I feel should be. A good contrast can also be created, but over time the image may blur a bit more easily in the skin.

So what I see and what I am learning are beginning to come together. Well, at least in my head. If I can test both and see what works initially, and after healing, then I'll be able to use that understanding to tattoo more effectively. You know, so I can be cool.