Posts Tagged ‘Image Galleries’

If you are into tattoos or even if you are interested in ink as an observer, you have likely noticed the enormous amount of “star tattoos” out there.

What’s the deal with star tats? Why does everybody seem to get stars tattooed on them?

Here I reveal the mystery behind the star tattoo phenomena.

Stars are very traditional.

If you think stars are a modern phenomena that just has been happening in recent years, then you have to look back to the origins of tattoo popularity. It was actually sailors and navy seamen who made star ink popular. In reference to the nautical star, they would get this design inked on as a strong symbol of direction and finding one’s way home safely from battle and rough seas.

Over the years, star ink has been taken in by various groups using the same symbolism of strength and guidance to apply in their own lives. The punk movement is an example of a group who took in the star design.

Modern Star Wearers.

Other more modern groups who have chosen stars include current men and women of the military, utilizing the same symbolization that traditional navy men used; finding their way safely home from battle.

Another interesting group heavily inked in star designs are mixed martial arts cage fighters. You can see how the symbolization works with this group of mostly men, but some women also. Safely emerging victorious from battle waged in the cage.

Then of course we have to mention the trend hoppers who simply get stars for no rhyme nor reason other than they see it as a popular form of ink that must be “cool” because other people have chosen it.

In any event, these are some of the main reasons why star ink is so common in tattoo culture.

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A lot of cage fighters have tattoos, and there are a lot of up and coming fighters looking to get inked. What kind of ink should you consider if you are, or you are getting into, cage fighting? Here are some excellent options to consider:

1. Nautilus Star. Star tattoos became big decades ago with Navy men who would get the nautilus star tattooed as a symbol of guidance and bringing one home safely from battle. You can see how the star tattoo works well for fighters. It can be used as a symbol of safely guiding one through a battle in the cage.

2. Warrior Ink. Cage fighting is very tribal in nature. It’s man vs. man in a no-holds barred environment. Warrior tattoos are obviously relevant with fighters. This can range from tribal designs to other forms of ancient warrior ink.

3. Fighting Style ink. If you have a certain fighting style that you are proud of, then a symbol of it can make for an excellent tattoo. Some Ju-Jitsu practitioners have a circle style tattoo of 2 grapplers for instance. Others just get the name of their art tattooed on themselves.

4. Symbols of strength, courage, power and discipline. All of these qualities are HUGE for fighting, and any one or all of these are excellent choices to get inked with. Now, the specific design you choose is up to you. While it should stand for one or more of the above qualities, it should also be a design that speaks to you personally.

Whatever your decide, remember to always research your tattoo ideas to make sure you find the best looking, strongest representational design that speaks to you.

Here is an excellent place to research tattoo designs for cage fighters – http://Tattoo-Book.info. This site has the highest quality tattoos in every category you can imagine. Check it out at http://Tattoo-Book.info.

The list below is a short list of tattoo designs that have been searched for on the Internet year in and year out. The list could be longer but these are some of the most popular.

Tribal Tattoos

There has been an ever-growing interest in tribal tattoos and they are very popular amongst men and women. There has been an amazing array of tribal designs developed over the years. The original tattoos were used in tribes to denote a range of things: status in the tribe, successful completion of a rite of passage or a symbol of courage. The modern tribal designs have evolved from those. They may not have the same significance they once had they still have a connection to those early tribal cultures. Some designs are very dramatic and eye-catching. Maori tattoos are popular but care has to be taken to avoid using tattoos still in use by the Maori people, which might denote membership of a particular tribe. Their use by others could be offensive. A good artist will know this and will use one of the many tribal styles available.

Cross Tattoos

Cross Tattoos are a perennial favorite. People wear the cross as an enduring symbol of faith, hope and love. It is also used as a memorial, to remember loved ones gone and to connect with them spiritually. It can remind them to have faith when things get tough – to help them through difficult times. The cross is an ancient symbol used by pre-Christian cultures as a mark of power or prestige, as a rite of passage and as a link to their Gods. They believed wearing the symbol would give them some divine power.

Star Tattoos

The image of the star is a favourite as it has been in many cultures throughout history. It is connected to a number of religions and cultures and to the universe. Many regard it as a source of power and good fortune. Stars have fascinated astronomers, astrologers and philosophers for thousands of years. Stars can be seen as a guiding light – mariners sailed by the stars; a star guided the three wise men. The five-pointed start is the most popular, either on its own or in a cluster or worked into other images.

Butterfly Tattoos

Butterfly tattoos are a particular favourite for women. They have been one of their top choices for many years and do not look like loosing their appeal. There are a number of reasons for this: the number of beautiful designs available – they can work as a small delicate image or a bold statement in a tribal image. Another is the story of the butterfly itself – a beautiful creature emerging from ugliness, only to last a brief moment before it is lost forever. It is a symbol of rebirth and regeneration, which, in turn, gives hope.

Angel Tattoos

An angel tattoo is used as a symbol of faith and devotion. It reminds us of God‘s presence and special protection. Most of us are familiar with angels as Guardian Angels and as messengers from God. They have a special connection to God and, through them, we can connect o him. The symbol is used to give people strength and hope.

Kanji Tattoos

About 1 in 5 Internet tattoo design searches are for Kanji tattoos. People are drawn to the idea of being able to express themselves with these exotic symbols. There are between 2000 and 3000 Kanji symbols, which means there are more than enough for most people to find a symbol that works for them. Japanese calligraphy is an art form so the flowing lines of a Kanji tattoo can be attractive and artistic.

Other popular tattoo designs are dragons, flowers, texts and fairies. But then there is a sub-list because people might be looking for Celtic or Gothic style designs or ones that mean strength or love. One thing is certain, the popularity of having a drawing done on some part of the body has not diminished and this seems unlikely to change in the near future.

William Burnell has a longstanding interest in the art, designs and history of tattoos. He enjoys sharing this interest with others and in helping them in their quest for their unique symbol of self-expression. You will find all you need to know on tattoo designs, prices, and aftercare at http://www.tattooartdesign.info

A number of researches tell that more women go for a tattoo than men. Some tattoo designers are of the opinion that women are stronger than men when it comes to tattooing. Men initially pose very strong and tough before the process starts but when the needles touch their skin some of them collapse. On the other hand women have a higher level of tolerance and can withstand the pain.

Men are not as style conscious as women. Men generally select a design and select any place on their body and just get their tattoos done. Women on the other hand are choosier about what kind of tattoo they want, what their exact design and color should be and exactly which part of their body the tattoo would adorn.

Women normally get tattoos when they go through some major emotion change. A life changing incident often pushes a woman to get a tattoo done making that tattoo a mark of that incident. One of the most frequent reasons used by women to get a tattoo done is that they have divorced their husbands or they have broken up with their boyfriend. Apart from these two major reasons the other life changing incidents for which women get tattoos are marriage, or childbirth or loss of a loved one.

The practice of women getting a tattoo for some emotional change is not new. It’s going on since thousands of years. Earlier it was thought that if a woman can not tolerate the pain of tattooing then she will definitely not be able to stand the pain of childbirth.

Earlier women used to get a tattoo on hidden parts of their bodies like their thighs or breasts. But now women have started tattooing on visible parts of their bodies. Many women request for larger and customized tattoos. They get it done on their arms, legs and any thinkable visible parts of their body. Some women even cover almost their whole bodies with tattoos but the most popular visible parts of a woman’s body where you can see a tattoo are the centre of the neck, ankle, lower back and upper breasts. The artist also suggests the client on which part of her body a particular design will look best.

Women generally like feminine tattoos. So the most popular designs for women are flower like sunflowers and roses, angels, fairies, butterflies, unicorns. Some time back dolphin tattoos were quite popular among women. Some women also go for general tattoos like that of animals and birds. Some women even go for manly and gothic tattoos. Many women tattoo the names or initials of their loved ones on their skin and decorate them with patterns.

Men generally select a design and select any place on their body and just get their tattoos done. Many women tattoo the names or initials of their loved ones on their skin and decorate them with patterns.

It’s hard to imagine that a simple, stenciled picture on a wall could inspire so much praise and criticism. There are views in both of the extremes ranging from embracing the art as part of the city it is located in to writing the images off as nothing other than illegal tagging, but one thing is for sure: artists like Blek le Rat and Banksy have managed to make huge names for themselves and stencil graffiti as an art form around the world.

Stencil graffiti is similar to standard graffiti you might see decorating a city, but it uses stencils created by the artist to make the picture much easier and quicker to apply. In addition, the use of stencils leaves a distinct style specific to this type of art and even though it leaves crisp, often single color, images, the artists still seem to leave their own special touch with each one.

As the art of tagging is still illegal (depending on where and who you ask), some of these artists have moved from painting their visions on public spaces for all to see to the inside of gallery space like more traditional artists. This might not have the same far reaching, rebellious effect as standard graffiti but it has managed to become extremely popular around the world with pieces created by Banksy being sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Although Blek le Rat and many before him might have been the first to use stencil graffiti as art, it has continued to develop and evolve for many years. Despite the huge growth of the art, it can still be traced back to the ideas of each artist, probably sketched in his or her graffiti blackbook. Everyone might not be able to appreciate it, but it is clear that graffiti has had a lasting impact on the art world and continues to produce some of the most interesting art in recent times.

Find out more about graffiti art at Graffiti Blackbook where you can also find some graffiti blackbook sketches.

To get inked means opening up to possibilities of expressing oneself in unusual ways. Although getting mother tattoos is not quite uncommon these days, using this method to show appreciation to one’s loving parent could give a distinct quality to a person’s character. With the help of a few specifics in the art of tattoos described below, a person may be able to achieve a great insignia for himself.

First, know that the female parent of every child is given high regard when love and affection is in consideration. The symbol of a mother and a child has been used to show comfort and safety that can only be found in the arms of someone who plays a significant role in one’s life. It is said that a mother’s love is unconditional, and as such can be one of the ultimate forms of emotions that can be felt by humans. Even in other animals, the instincts of a mother tend toward protecting her offspring from harm. It is for this reason that people find mother tattoos as a symbol that has a meaning of its own which cannot be found in any other design.

Mother tattoos are common for females who deem motherhood as a gratifying phase of life. It is said that the realization of a female human being is when she is able to reproduce and give birth to one of her kind. The kinship between a mother and her child is uniquely heartwarming as it often defines how an individual’s growth turns out.

Many psychological aspects have taken into account the effects of having a loving and caring mother in one’s life, especially during the formative stage of growth (between 4-7 years of age). As people perceive mothers to symbolize strength in a more feminine manner, the assertion of women empowerment is often attributed to the image of a mother.

The representations of a mother as used in tattoos vary from simple written texts to actual portraits of one’s real mother. Females who like small yet significant tattoos go for the word “mother” written on their ankles or near their chests. The heart, one of the symbols commonly used alongside the word “mother”, adds to the imagery intended to give the message of a person getting inked.

In the case of men getting tattoos with a theme that coincides with their attachment to their female parents, a less bold representation is a typical choice. Guys are usually the ones who prefer portraits of a mother to show their affection and keen affiliation to the concept of motherhood per se. The usage of the whole idea of being a mother not only signify females alone, rather its meaning can also stand for men who are willing to give such kind of affection and who manifest the traits of a substantial woman.

There is no doubt the presence of Mother Tattoos is exhibited in such a way that they are easily visible to others; showing the honor that a person has in holding his mother or the concept of motherhood as an indispensable value.

Word tattoos are getting hotter and popular these days, every tat enthusiast wants to have a piece of that striking short quote or meaningful sayings tattooed on one part of their body. Well, who can blame them? Text designs are great alternatives for images because they can directly express what one feels or believe in. Here are some ideas for you to explore.

Short quotes can have a great impact because they are simple, concise and straight to the point. They can be best inked on your wrist, arm, nape, ankle and foot. They are at their coolest when expressed in 2-3 words. Some examples are:

Risk It All

No Regret

Stay Classy

Just Breathe

Life Happens

So it Goes

Calm your Expectations

Fallen Angel

Meaningful sayings and quotations are another sought after text designs. These kind of word tattoos are at their best when tattooed on bigger skin canvas like the ribcage, shoulder blade and back. Mostly, the quotations are about struggles and hardships in life or assertion of strength, love and aspirations. Here are some ideas from several respectable authors:

“Even The Best Fall Down, Sometimes. ”

“It Does Not Do To Dwell On Dreams And Forget To Live.”

“Its not the length of life but the depth of life.”

“Love is the key to my heart. ”

Lyrics from your favorite songs are always exciting options for you to delve into. Music is very much a part of our everyday lives so here are some examples.

“Lies are simple. Simple is bliss.” from NOFX The Decline

“Free your Mind” from En Vogue

“My heart is full and my door’s always open.” from Maroon 5

Lines from a favorite movie would be another interesting source. Lately, the success of the movie ” Twilight”, lead to famous lines like ” And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…”. There is also the “”Wake your dreams” from Lord of the Rings and “This too shall pass” which was mentioned in the movie, “My Bestfriends’ Wedding.

How about excerpts from your favorite book. Mine are from Nicholas Sparks “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it” (A Walk to Remember) and “Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that” (Message in a Bottle).

By now, you must already have a lot of ideas going through your mind. The truth is, the possibilities are endless for a great tattoo quote. Getting something that have significance and meaning to your life is the best route for you to go.

For more ideas and suggestions for your Quote Tattoos check us out at Textual Tattoos Designs, Photos and Ideas

Graffiti art has, over time, become a form of artistic drawing. In another article, I’ve captured the main characteristics of artistic art in more detail but let’s do a quick review here.

We know that graffiti art is often loud (meaning brightly colored), has a 3D look and feel to it, and looks mostly stylish. One might even classify graffiti art as contemporary art. Everything about graffiti is an expression of the culture of some group or country.

Although graffiti art is most widely known as art drawn by vandals on public walls with spray cans, the same term can be extended to represent art with similar characteristics as mentioned above.

You may be drawn to drawing graffiti names because graffiti art looks stylish with its bright attractive colors, and that applies to graffiti texts as well.

To start drawing graffiti names, you need to prepare the following drawing tools. You need a light pencil, preferrably HB, and a set of permanent magic markers with a variety of colors.

Next, you need to decide on the style of the texts. There are literally thousands of styles to choose from. Just take a look at the thousands of font types available freely on the Internet for download. You may want to visit one of these websites and choose a font design that you really like. You’ll be using this as your reference. Some websites even allow you to create a preview image with the selected font type. Simply save the image to your computer for reference.

Start drawing with your pencil on the surface. Draw lightly at first so that you can erase any mistakes you make. Sometimes, your texts may be too big or small, and you can easily rectify this by using a dust free eraser.

Once you’re satisfied with how the graffiti name looks, trace the outline with a fine magic marker. The shapes will start to emerge now. Then start filling in the different letters with colors. Be bold and creative here. After all, it’s graffiti texts, so you want it to come out attractive, bold and stylish.

Use a different color to create some shades just inside the outlines. This will create the illusion that the texts are 3D. If you’re familiar to using Photoshop or any image editing software, this is similar to creating the emboss effect.

Drawing the drop shadow is optional but if you want your graffiti name to look more alive and realistic, by all means give your graffiti name a light shadow below.

Darren Chow is the founder and developer of MyArtPassion.com, an online website that offers free drawing lessons, home study courses, and other drawing related resources. For more free resources like the one you’ve just read, please visit MyArtPassion.com for free online drawing lessons.

Learning to draw great graffiti art requires lots of skill and practice. There are several genres of graffiti art, but usually, graffiti art will mostly:

– be painted in vivid colors, to create emotive images and grab attention

– include graffiti style lettering with letters that overlap and are drawn in 3D

In particular the use of the bold style lettering is really distinctive to graffiti art. The images themselves will usually be hard hitting, and be painted in stark colors utilizing strong shadows and outlines to add depth and definition. Images usually depict social or political issues close to the artist‘s heart.

Before you start a piece of graffiti art, you should draw a small scale version of the large piece you want to create first, then when you begin your actual piece, its a simple task of just scaling up your graffiti sketch.

If you need ideas for a graffiti font to use, there are plenty of sites online that have examples for you to copy. For the outlines, use a fine marker pen. In order to produce a 3D effect, shade around the letters you’ve outlined with a different color. Then use permanent markers to color in your letters.

Once you are ready to paint your sketch on to your larger canvas or wall, you need to draw a reference grid over your small drawing. Sketch a full size replica of the grid on to your wall or canvas that you are using for your scaled up graffiti piece. Use either chalk, charcoal or diluted paint to draw the large grid. To make marking the grid out easier, the simplest thing to do is to use a piece of string.

Use chalk or charcoal to transfer your small drawing on to you larger canvas. Use an aerosol can to paint the background in using diluted paint, keep the layer thin and allow it to dry before you start your coloring. When you’ve finished the outline and the background, it’s time to add the colors and detail. Again use aerosols to add the colors. Start with the lightest colors first and the largest sections, and then move on to the detail and the smaller areas last.

When you’ve colored your work in, you can add the fine definition with a brush to enhance the fine lines and borders around your figures and letters. You can preserve it for years to come with a thin layer of varnish.

These are all the steps you need to master if you want to paint impressive graffiti art.

If you would like to learn more tips on how to draw graffiti letters, and check out some great graffiti tools and resources, simply click on the following link: http://www.howtodrawgraffiti.net