Modern tattooing has made bodysuits a popular way to cover your entire body in ink. These full suit tattoos often come as one piece in Japanese style and feature background artwork such as waves, clouds, and other nature themes.
Japanese Style
Japanese Style bodysuit tattoos are one of the most sought-after styles. These powerful artworks often feature bold line work, vibrant color, and story-based imagery. These Japanese-inspired tattoo designs derive from Ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock printing), popularized over 350 years ago and still an integral part of contemporary Japanese culture.
Traditional irezumi design is a classic Japanese tattoo style that uses specific colors, animals, and characters for its artwork. It also elicits specific emotions and storylines. Traditional irezumi tattoos are typically placed on the back and cover a large body area. Women often opt for this style when selecting their backpiece, but men can also get this design. The back is the most enormous canvas on the body and is often used for Japanese bodysuit tattoos. Here you can showcase larger-scale artwork like dragons or Koi fish designs while leaving enough room for more intimate tattoo designs. Tattooing was popular during the Edo period, though it met with mixed reactions from society. However, irezumi tattoos are becoming more and more popular among tattoo enthusiasts as a symbol of creativity and dedication to art. Unlike many American and European styles, irezumi are rarely visible to the outside world, being more subtle in comparison with other types of tattoos. Some Japanese-style bodysuit tattoos are known as “monetary,” which translates to “split chest.” These designs consist of irezumi placed on the arms, chest, back, and legs with an untattooed space running down the middle. On the other hand, some Japanese bodysuit tattoos use words such as “donburi,” which translates to “porcelain bowl,” that feature elaborate designs throughout but no empty spaces on the front.
Black Work
Bodysuit tattoos are an increasingly popular design in the world of tattooing. They can be one piece that covers the whole body or multiple parts that fill in gaps to give off a look like a body suit. The most well-known bodysuit form is the Japanese style, created by one artist and features background artwork like waves, clouds, and nature themes. Another popular style is Blackwork embroidery which uses thread in a counted stitch to produce intricate designs. Blackwork has grown increasingly popular, but its roots lie in ancient tribal tattooing. Any design composed solely of black ink without color or gray shading can be classified as a Blackwork piece. Blackwork is typically composed of a grid pattern similar to cross-stitch. While this can make the technique challenging, it also gives the artist plenty of latitude and freedom in interpreting the convention. Many people opt for Blackwork as a filling technique, where stitches are repeated repeatedly in order to create larger designs. An array of fill patterns is available, and the artist has the freedom to adjust thread weight and density to achieve realistic degrees of shading. Other artists incorporate Blackwork into their style in different ways, such as by emphasizing color on the skin. This can be an incredibly effective method for making colors stand out. The Blackwork style of tattooing draws inspiration from various aspects of history and culture, providing excellent opportunities for artists to experiment with new aesthetics. For instance, some practitioners of the Dark Art School use an illustrative approach in their designs that draws heavily from esoteric symbolism or alchemical imagery. Some Blackwork tattooists incorporate sacred geometric designs inspired by Buddhist, Hindu, and sigil symbology into their artwork. These intricate designs are highly sought-after among those working in this style and typically feature intricate detail.
American Style
Bodysuit tattoos are designed as one cohesive piece. Many people start getting inked without ever intending to have a full bodysuit-but eventually grow into it over time. Body art, or body painting, is typically created by an experienced artist in one style. Designs can range from simple torso pieces to large sleeve designs that extend down onto arms and legs. Showing off your love of tattooing through these tattoos can be a powerful testament to your passion for the medium. These tattoos are less ink-friendly than full-body designs, as they cover more skin. Furthermore, these designs take longer to heal than their traditional counterparts, so you must follow proper aftercare instructions for optimal results.
Japanese Bodysuit Tattoos
Japanese bodysuit tattoos are the most sought-after style of this type of design and are typically done by one artist. These designs often incorporate waves, clouds, and other nature-themed elements. Recently, black work has become increasingly popular for full-bodysuits. This can range from heavy black ink to small pieces that form a unified look. Another option is American traditional art, which features hundreds of small tattoos. These tattoos can add subtle detail and texture to your full bodysuit, particularly if you want something eye-catching and distinctive. Some American traditional pieces may even incorporate symbols that signify certain cultures or religions. For instance, a tribal bodysuit might feature designs featuring the ankh or cross. Body art often incorporates symbols as well as intricate patterns and imagery. Examples of this design style include large animal scenes, detailed floral designs, and intricate geometric shapes.
Full Suit
Bodysuit tattoos are an excellent way to show your dedication to tattooing. You can select one artist to design the piece, or many artists can collaborate and fill in your body with hundreds of smaller designs. Typically, a full suit is an expansive piece of artwork covering the entire back; however, it’s possible to obtain articles covering only one arm or leg. Many people begin with getting just a back part or sleeve and then progress into full suits as their collection grows. Doing this will prevent any unpleasant surprises later on and guarantee that your artwork will last a lifetime. Popular styles for full-suit bodysuits include Japanese and black work and traditional American pieces. Either way, plenty of detail can be used to make your suit appear like a massive piece of artwork.
Samuel is an expert in bodysuit tattoos; he’s been creating these designs since 2008 out of Ravensburg, Germany, with a studio in Amsterdam. His specialty is Polynesian tattoos, but he also does dot work and black work. He’s drawn to this style’s thick, bold lines and black designs, often creating bodysuit tattoos using this approach. Gakkin, an Amsterdam-based artist known for her distinctive style of body painting, specializes in this type of piece. He uses black work and freehand tattooing but also does mandalas and henna-inspired tattoos. Whether you want a large, intricate tattoo or just an outline, there’s likely an artist out there who can assist. Popular styles include Japanese and black work, but if more detailed work is desired, consider finding a neo-traditional or realism tattoo artist to craft your perfect piece.
