New School vs Old School Tattoos: What is the Difference?
Researching the type of tattoo you want is one of the best things you can do before your tattoo appointment. Being able to communicate your likes and dislikes when it comes down to design in the correct tattoo lingo will massively help the tattoo artist know exactly what you mean. Communicating in as much detail as possible allows tattoo artists to have a clear vision of the design they would like to create. In this article, we will explore the difference between new-school and old-school tattoos.
What Is Meant By The Term Old School Tattoo?
When people use the term old school tattoo, this could actually include tattoos that were popular in the earlier half of the 20th century. Often called traditional tattoos, old-school tattoos include designs such as symbols. Back in the day, these kinds of tattoos were applied using an electric tattoo machine, not a qualified artist.
The most common characteristics of traditional or old-school tattoos are that they are bold and mainly use black ink. Most images that are included in the old-school tattoo designs are outlined with black ink to create a bold impression. It was very common to choose designs that were already pre-made rather than creating something personal to yourself.
When choosing your old-school tattoo design, there were common choices that were the more go-to design to have. Here is a list of the most common objects to have tattooed as a part of your tattoo design when choosing an old-school traditional tattoo:
- Sailing ships
- American flag or a flag specific to a country
- Hearts with banners including names
- Anchors
- Roses or flowers
- Animals such as sharks, eagles and snakes
- Daggers
- Crosses representing religion
- Skulls
What Is Meant By The Term New School Tattoo?
A new school tattoo is another type of tattoo design that you can get. When talking to your tattoo artist, they will understand what you mean by the new school and old school and it will help them with the types of design you would like and the choice of inks.
New school tattoos are tattoos that first became more popular in the 90s. New-school tattoos are less simplistic than old-school tattoos and use very bright colorful inks. Some new school tattoos are considered to be a bit much as they are very bright, expressive, and full of artistic flair.
Some new school tattoos can be compared to graffiti with its bright elements and often the object is picked from something in modern society such as cartoon characters or other pop culture-based people/objects. Here is a list of the most common objects to have tattooed as a part of your tattoo design when choosing a new school traditional tattoo:
- Anime
- Celebrities
- Graffiti writing
- Folk Art
- Any old-school design with a modern twist
- Characters
- Fantasy creatures
- Mythological beasts
- Humorous tattoos
What Is A New School Tattoo Technique?
The technique for a new school tattoo is slightly different than old school tattoos. New-school tattoos tend to use linework techniques that add more depth to the image rather than a solid block of color, which you would find in old-school tattoo designs. Linework techniques can create a 3D effect on the design and make the design pop out more.
Are There Other Types Of Tattoos That I Can Choose?
Yes, there are an array of different types of tattoos that you can choose from, with old school tattoos and new school tattoos being the most common ‘types’ of tattoos. There is also a Realistic Tattoo Style and Watercolor Tattoo Style.
What is a Realistic Tattoo Style?
Becoming more popular in the second half of the 20th century, the realistic tattoo style is very refined and a popular choice currently. Realistic tattoo designs will have a lot of detail and be very impressive. Often these types of tattoos will take hours to complete due to the amount of detail that is required. Realistic tattoo designs use an array of impressive colors but can also be achieved with black ink if wanted. Any object or person can be turned into a realistic tattoo design. It is best to always research your tattoo artists to see if this is within their skill set.
What is Watercolor Tattoo Style?
When describing what a watercolor tattoo style is, it’s basically what it says in the title. A watercolor tattoo design uses watery pastels colors and strokes to look like a brush. Watercolor tattoo designs are extremely popular at the moment, mostly being featured in Vogue magazine. A lot of the rising tattoo artists within the younger generation specialize in these kinds of designs.
Choosing What Type Of Tattoo You Would Like
Choosing what type of tattoo you would like is all down to personal preference and what you prefer the look of. When you have looked at some examples of the different types of tattoos, you will be able to know more so what kind of colors you would like to use and how you want your design to be shaded. Knowing what type of tattoo you would like can also help you pick which tattoo artist is best for you as some artists tend to specialize in certain types of designs depending on their artistic abilities.
If you are looking for a tattoo shop in Philadelphia with skilled artists and a friendly atmosphere, check out Oracle Tattoo Gallery. Whether this is your first tattoo or your twentieth, It will be a fantastic experience. Schedule a consultation with us today to learn more!
