Somewhere along the way tattoos became a thing for everyone from babies to grandmas, and things got a little watercolor-y and cute. The roots of tattooing lie in thick, black line work and bold, dynamic shading. Get it? Initially created to withstand the hot sun and manual labor, these bold black lines had a practical purpose: the bolder the line, the longer the tattoo would last. So, fine—tattoos are no longer just for sailors and bikers, but many of today’s best tattoo artists harken back to the craft’s past. Whether it’s a call-out to Chicano history or the roots of American punk, thick lines, bold shading, and tough images all reference the past while allowing today’s artists to break the rules and establish their own distinct styles. From blacked-out legs to pinup girls, here’s here’s a roundup of the tattooers doing it harder out there right now.
The 10 Hardest Tattooers Right Now
These are some of the best tattoo artists in the game today.
Image via Complex Original
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