Sleeve Tattoo Collection | HORIKYO TATTOO

A sleeve tattoo (or tattoo sleeve) is a large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos, usually themed in similar manner, that covers most or all of a person's arm, usually from shoulder to wrist.

The term "sleeve" is a reference to the tattoo's size similarity in coverage to a long shirt sleeve on an article of clothing. In this manner, the term is also used as a verb; for example, "getting sleeved" means to have one's entire arm tattooed. The term "sleeve" is also sometimes used in reference to a large leg tattoo that covers a person's leg in a similar manner.

"Half-sleeves" or "quarter-sleeves" are tattoos that cover only part of an arm, usually above the elbow, but can also be found below the elbow. The term "sleeve" implies complete tattoo coverage of a particular area, so a "half sleeve" is a tattoo that covers the entire upper or lower arm. A "quarter sleeve" usually covers the area of skin from the shoulder midway to the elbow.[1]

Sleeve tattoos are a collaboration between a tattoo artist and customer to demonstrate a personal and unified artistic theme. Other times, a sleeve is created when a person has many smaller tattoos on his/her arm and later has them "connected" with background tattooing to form a sleeve. Pre-planned sleeves generally require many long hours of tattooing and can take weeks, months or years to complete.

Some organizations have proposed rules banning sleeves among their members; the United States Marine Corps banned Marines from getting sleeve tattoos (or leg "sleeves") from April 1, 2007 forward (those who already had sleeves are protected under a grandfather clause rationale). Nevertheless, tattoo sleeves have become so popular that several clothing companies have produced apparel that simulates the look of tattoo sleeves using transparent mesh fabric printed with tattoo designs.

Anime Sleeve Tattoo Design

Anime Sleeve Tattoo Design

Anti Tribal Custom Tattoo

Dragon Sleeve Tattoo

Sleeve Red Amazing Tattoo

The Best 3D Tattoo Styles | HORIKYO TATTOO

3D tattoos are becoming very popular, when in reality they have existed for quite a long time. At the simplest form, 3D tattoo designs are extremely detailed tattoos that stand out to the eyes. When choosing a 3D tattoo design, you should keep a few things in mind:

*There are two ways 3D tattoo designs are given that 3D effect*

Sometimes, 3D tattoos get mixed in with detailed tattoos that appear 3D. Either way, they both look awesome. The simplest, and easiest way, to get a 3D tattoo design is through shading. The tattoo artist will add a shadow effect to the tattoo design, so that it appears to be 3D. An example would be of a spider tattoo where the tattoo artist adds shadow beneath the legs so that it appears like the spider is really walking across the skin. The shading can be done very intricately, creating detailed 3D tattoo designs.

3d Dragon Tattoo

Colourful Tribal Tattoo

The second way, and what actually creates a 3D tattoo, is a bit more complicated. The tattoo artist will inject a sugary substance beneath the skin. This will raise the skin a few millimeters, and make the 3D tattoo design pop out. A few millimeters might not seem like much, but that is all it takes to create eye-popping 3D tattoo designs.

Crop Circles Tattoo

Street body art 3d tattoo

Tiger 3d tattoo

*How to choose a 3D tattoo design*

Nearly any design can be made 3D. Also, the injection can be done on any part of the body, so there are no limits to where a 3D tattoo design can be placed. Some of the most common 3D tattoo designs are of the skin ripped apart with something beneath it. Also, animals, like the spider mentioned, seemingly moving across the body. However, any tattoo design can be chosen for a 3D tattoo design.

Think of anything you want in a tattoo, and then think about how it could be shaded to make it appear 3D. Does the idea of an alien lunging out from beneath your skin seem like an awesome idea to you? Then go with it. The great thing about choosing 3D tattoo designs is that extreme details only make the tattoo better. However, you can also go simple. If you just want a butterfly sitting on your shoulder, it can be done with simple shading or even an injection.

*The most important thing about choosing a 3D tattoo design*

Picking a tattoo design to make 3D is the easy part. The hardest thing is finding the best tattoo artist to get it done right. Very few tattoo shops specialize in actual 3D tattoo designs with the injections that raise the skin. Find one, and you're set.

If there isn't one of those 3D specialists in your area, or you can't afford one, then your next choice is finding an artist with excellent shading skills. Don't just walk into a tattoo shop and expect the design you want will automatically be done in 3D. Go tattoo artist shopping. Show them the design you want, and explain that you want it to look 3D. An excellent tattoo artist will work with you, showing you what shading techniques he would use and where he would use them on the tattoo design. The artist should be able to draw up a 3D design that is eye-popping and exactly what you want.

Choosing 3D tattoo designs is easy. The hard part is placed on the tattoo artist. As long as the artist has the skills and, of course, the drive, to create amazing tattoo work, then you will be happy with the final result of your 3D tattoo design.

Tattoo Tribal Ornament 3D | HORIKYO TATTOO

These tattoo designs are also being flaunted by a number of celebrities as they represent attitude and passion. These new designs are a unique style of tattooing that adds depth and realism to the design. This is accomplished by adding a shadow to the design to make it look like it is either a part of your skin, or something standing on top of your skin.

Choosing the perfect tattoo design

Nearly any design can be made 3D. Think of anything you want in a tattoo, and then think about how it could be shaded to make it appear 3D. Does the idea of an alien lunging out beneath your skin seem like an awesome idea to you? Then go with it. The great thing about choosing 3D designs is that extreme details only make the tattoo better.

Various types of 3D tattoo designs

biomech and tribal 3D

Lower Back Tattoo Tribal Ornament 3D

Back Tattoo Tribal Ornament 3D

Arm Tattoo Tribal Ornament 3D

Tattoo Tribal Ornament 3D | HORIKYO TATTOO

Beautiful Tattoos Idea | TATTOO DESIGN

I decided to simply put up a few pictures of some GREAT tattoos to get inspired by.When you browse the internet and see all kinds of ugly/tacky tattoos you sometimes tend to forget how beautiful tattoos can really be...

Beautiful Tattoos Idea | TATTOO DESIGN

The Best Buterfly Tattoo Design | TATTOO DESIGN

The Best Buterfly Tattoo Design | TATTOO DESIGN

Europe Tattoo Design 2010 | TATTOO DESIGN

Europe Tattoo Design 2010 | TATTOO DESIGN

The Best 3D Tattoos | TATTOO DESIGN

The Best 3D Tattoos | TATTOO DESIGN

Tattoo News Review | TATTOO DESIGN

I'm just getting over the food and ouzo orgy that was this past weekend's Greek Easter celebration, a Brooklyn backyard bacchanal where chasing around unsuspecting guests with a lamb tongue on BBQ tongs is not only encouraged but specifically laid out in the Bible, right next to promoting "opposite marriage." [See the gory Greeky pix on Facebook.]

Lucky for me, the news was not as juicy as our giblets, so I didn't have too many headlines to trawl through, but I did catch a few tasty treats on the net. Here goes:

More people are getting medic alert tattoos, prompting the medical community to address the legal and ethical issues behind them. Over the years, I've seen A LOT of Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) tattoos, particularly on people over 70 -- like this fiesty Kiwi who sparked debate worldwide last year over the enforceability of DNR ink. In the US, a mere DNR tattoo generally won't cut it. You need to back up your wishes with a valid DNR Order. Better use of those tattoos would be alerts of serious allergies, pre-existing conditions and even blood type, but hell, the jewelry has been doing a good job at that, so save ya skin for art.

Tattoo News Review | TATTOO DESIGN

As the deadline for my book on blackwork tattooing -- like that of the fabulous Jacqueline Spoerle above -- fast approaches, I'm grateful that the boys got my back and this blog to bring you the Tattoo 411, but some of the tattoo news was too important to let it pass.

The most important: 18 Douchebag Celebrities and their Douchebag Tattoos.

No, I jest.

The Washington legislature finally has passed a measure that requires body piercers and tattooers to be licensed by the state. Up until now, there have been no regulations, so any kitchen table scratcher can scar up anyone with a low tattoo IQ. One of the people behind the measure is bod mod artist Troy Amundson. I wrote about Troy's lobbying fight for BME in 2007 and his efforts to bring safe and fair regulation of the industry. And today I toast him for securing representation "as stakeholders in body art related issues" as he calls it. Cheers to Troy for getting shit done.

In more tattoo law news, the search is on for some garbage who tattooed a gang symbol on his 7-year old son. It's a heartbreaking story of how the child returned home to his mother, distraught and ashamed after spending Easter break with his father. He tried to hide the tattoo when taking a bath but his mother saw and called the cops when he told her the story of how his father held him down while another gang member forcibly tattooed a dog paw on his hip. Justice for this gangbanger would be some big jail daddy forcibly tattooing bitch on his ass. I know, not highbrow commentary but this just makes me sick.

It's these type of stories -- the negative associations with tattooing -- that perpetuate stereotypes and result in, say, idiot zoning regulations, like this one in Vista, CA that says a tattoo studio can't be located near parks, schools or child care facilities, as well as 1,000 feet from other parlors. Imagine passing a similar reg for nail salons or barber shops. Yeah, I can't either.

And of course it leads to personal tattoo discrimination, as Pat blogged about yesterday on Joel Madden having to cover his tattoos before boarding a flight because British Airways found them "offensive." [I love this Perez Hilton comment: "... Joel was embarrassed because 'all the people were staring and laughing! No, Joel, they were laughing because you're in Good Charlotte."] *giggle* Eonline.com says Joel did cover up to board to plane but will be complaining to BA. I won't be giving BA my business. If you'd like to voice your opinion to BA about this, here's their complaint form.

Rihanna's New Tribal Tattoo | TATTOO DESIGN

Rihanna has always got some surprise up her sleeve!

The other night at a UNICEF event held in New York, Rihanna donned a new tattoo, this time on her hand.
The tattoo, which is very eye-catching and exotic, is one she got in New Zealand while she was on tour.
Riri explains: "It's tribal. It represents strength and love. I've always wanted one."
But there's one catch, this tattoo wasn't drawn in the usual ways, but in the traditional way that Maori's (the native people of New Zealand) do it! And it hurts like hell!

Riri's boo, Chris Brown, also got a matching tribal Maori tattoo.

Speaking of tattoos, both Riri and Chris have a cluster of stars tattooed on the back of their necks.

What do you think of Riri's new tribal tattoo? Do you like it? Would you get one like it?

Iguana Back Tattoo | HORIKYO TATTOO

Iguana Back Tattoo | HORIKYO TATTOO

This full back lizard, more specifically, Iguana tattoo is vibrant and realistic and probably took a long time to finish with all of those scales.

Rosary Cross Ankle Tattoo | HORIKYO TATTOO

Rosary Cross Ankle Tattoo | HORIKYO TATTOO

This rosary tattoo is feminine and beautiful with pretty flowers and a elegant cross.

Universal Life Force | TATTOO DESIGN

Universal Life Force | TATTOO DESIGN

There’s a beautiful balance between the soft pinks and yellows of the rose vs the sharp black lines of the tribal design in this Tribal Rose Tramp Stamp Tattoo that make it both feminine and cool.

Skull Tattoo Designs | TATTOO DESIGN

Skull Tattoo Designs | TATTOO DESIGN

Shark Tattoo | TATTOO DESIGN

Shark Tattoo | TATTOO DESIGN