Style: Realism

Realism is a tattoo style that aims to reproduce real images with high fidelity, using precise shading, smooth gradients, contrast and, often, no defined outlines. It can be done in black and grey or in colour. Visually it stands out for its volume, texture, depth and fine detail. The most common pieces are portraits, animals, landscapes, objects and scenes. It tends to appeal to people who want to tattoo a photo, a portrait or a specific image that looks close to reality.

Also works micro realism

Micro realism is a subcategory of realism applied to very small tattoos. It uses fine needles, minimal or near-invisible linework, soft shading and sometimes dotwork to build detail in a limited space. Visually it aims to resemble a real or photographic image in miniature, with subtle gradients and understated contours. The most common pieces are portraits, animals, flowers, insects, objects and fictional elements. It tends to appeal to people looking for discreet, detailed, small-scale tattoos.