Inside: New School Tattoo Defined, history, meaning & which to choose.
People decide to get a tattoo in response to important moments in their lives; occasionally, people get tattooed because they like it or they want something memorable inked on their bodies. The New School tattoo is a distinguished tattoo style in this industry.
This style dates back to the 1970s and is heavily influenced by American old school tattooing. Heavy outlining, vibrant color and excessive subject representations are frequently used to define the New School tattoo style.
Let’s examine the origins, themes, and artists contributing to the New School tattoo genre.
Table of Contents
History Of The Tattoo
There are many interpretations of the origins of New School tattooing. According to one version, tattoo artists in California started experimenting with various design patterns in the 1970s and used subjects like well-known movie stars and Disney characters. Additionally, it is claimed that in this era, customer requirements drove the creation of new ethnic designs rather than the artists’ inspiration.
According to some reports, the mid 1980s and 1990s saw the birth of New School tattooing. One tattoo artist known for popularizing new school tattooing quite early is Marcus Pacheco.
One of the distinguishing features of New School tattooing is how firmly its roots are planted in American Traditional. Many of the guidelines established by Traditional tattoo artists in the past assist in the clarity and proper maturing of tattoos. Bold black lines assist in preventing color from smudging, and huge shapes and patterns aid in the ability to create appealing tattoos quickly. All of these are characteristics that New School holds dearly.
Moreover, there is also a clear connection between this aesthetic and the Neo Traditional Japanese style. However, the distinctions are also clear to observe. With the development of new pigments for inks, tattoo artists may now utilize vibrant hues like neons and fluorescents in their designs. Given the sources of New School’s iconography, these hues support the cartoonish characteristics of the design. Finally, a range of pop culture influences New School tattoo styles significantly.
Common Styles Used In New School Tattoos
Tattoo artists have limitless creative freedom in New School. Many beginner ink-slingers favor New School tattoos over some of the more restrictive tattoo styles since any subject, material, and method can be utilized to produce them.
So how do you recognize a New School Tattoo when you see one? Heavy contours, vivid colors, and tattoos that seem to leap off the skin are all characteristics of New School tattoos. Let’s discuss more characteristics below.
Vibrant Colors
The color schemes of a New School tattoo may be their most defining feature. They are vibrant and clearly unconventional. The utilization of the color palette and the skin in New School tattoos are different from old school tattoos. Tattoos from the past usually used one normal color, one black, and one skin hue.
This style is included in New School layouts but with stronger and more vibrant components. This kind of design frequently uses colors like ultra-light blue, purple, and intense lime green. No matter what theme you pick, they are colorful.
Thick Outlines
The use of thick outlines is one aspect of a New School design that contrasts with an Old School tattoo. This effect is crucial to merge traditional tattoo culture components into the design aspects of New School tattoos. Additionally, due to the marked contrast, the use of thick outlines enhances the color perception in these artworks.
3-D Shading
The use of 3-D shading is another element of these tattoos. The shade’s interaction with the skin significantly impacts how the three-dimensional image is produced. Generally, New School tattoos tend to be less realistic, which can be seen throughout the shading methods. Your tattoo artist can employ a range of techniques to produce striking effects that help the tattoo stand out and leave an impact.
New School Tattoo Examples
1. Crystal Ball
2. Open Book
3. Bumblebee
4. Lipstick
Need more inspiration? Check out more of our favorite New School Tattoos HERE!
Artists Associated with New School Tattoos
Numerous tattoo artists opt to work in the New School tattoo genre because it is so adaptable and allows them to infuse it with their preferences and personal interests. In contrast to previous decades, when artists were more discreet about their work out of concern for competition, modern tattoo artists are now more upfront about their craft.
Today’s artists expose their ideas and original concepts in a more unstructured style. Those working together to produce New School tattoos now have a wider range of artistic expressions. For example, Lilo and Stitch, Hades from Hercules, Pokémon characters, and anime stars are just a few of the characters that Michela Bottin – a new school tattoo artist, has perfectly recreated.
Additionally, Logan Barracuda, Jesse Smith, John Barrett, and Jamie Ris are creators who incorporate intriguing cartoon-inspired patterns and styles into the New School framework. Neo-Traditional and Realist styles have been incorporated into the work of talented artists like Andres Acosta and Kike Esterasend, giving it a truly unique appearance.
Wrapping Up
The New School tattoo is a tremendously powerful aesthetic that draws from pop culture to produce a completely new approach that has a strong connection with many people. Almost every tattoo enthusiast adores the technique because of its rich history, distinctive appearance, and talented artists.
When deciding who to work with, you would expect the new school artist’s style to resonate with you. You should check the artist’s portfolio and see how they depict the typical new school themes mentioned above.
Learn More About Tattoos
- What is Body Art – Body art is defined as “the physical presence of the artist as an integral part of the work.” Body art can be expressed through piercings, tattoos, branding, body paintings, implants and many other types of personal expressions. Interested in learning more about body? Read our article on What is Body Art.
- Daisy Tattoo Ideas – Honestly, daisies are one of my all-time favorite flowers, they are just so bright, fun, and full of life. Daisy is a form of flower purely for the female kind and is one of the most versatile tattoos you can wear on your body. The tattoo is highly decorative and comes in different colors and sizes. You can even add a custom design to the tattoos depending on your preferences. With soft petals and humble appearance, it is almost impossible to ignore its fascinating design.
- Flower Tattoo Ideas – It’s no surprise that flower tattoos can be insanely beautiful, unique, and meaningful. Depending on the size and shape of the tattoo design, they can pretty much go anywhere on your body and look fantastic. While many flower tattoos are elegant and feminine, there are some pretty popular ones that are more masculine. A large black rose tattoo is hard to beat because they look so cool. But big, brightly colored blossoms are also incredible too. No matter what your style is, I’m sure you’ll find a flower tattoo that is calling your name.
I'm Victoria Hudgins, a seasoned professional in the field of home decor, which seamlessly complements my artistic passion for tattoos. With nearly a decade of experience as a tattoo stylist, having designed at some of the world's top tattoo studios, my dual expertise helps to fuel my creative inspiration.