These nine Black tattoo artists are masterful around the concept of skin as canvas, demonstrating that brown skin and deeper ...

For generations, tattoos have served as both a rite of passage and a record of service for members of the military.

Instead of flat tattoo images — which are common with classic American tattoos — neo traditional ones opt for detailed, multi-dimensional designs.

All it takes is a clear vision for what style of tattoo you want. "Some of my tattoos are illustrative botanical designs or bold, American traditional roses and Forget-Me-Nots," Graffam says.

It is in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection. View more of the museum’s tattoo-related art, such as this 20th-century tattoo flash (“flash” refers to common tattoo designs drawn on paper ...

If you want a tattoo that is truly classic, try out an anchor design like this man from 1908 has. You can keep it super simple like he did, or go with more detailed elements to make it your own.

The Celtic knot tattoo seems to have started on the American West Coast in the 1970s and '80s, part of a trend in tattooing called blackwork: big, black geometric designs — much bolder than the ...