TATTOO STYLES EXPLAINED

Tattoos today are more than body art — they are craftsmanship, style, design, culture, and emotional expression.

For more than 20 years, André Zechmann has combined different tattoo styles into artworks that became internationally recognized — from Realism to Fine Line to colorful illustrative tattoos.

 

This page gives you a deep insight into every major tattoo style, explains the differences, shows what matters technically, and helps you discover which style is right for you.

 

 

What Are Tattoo Styles?

 

Tattoo styles define the technical execution, visual design, line work, shading, color structure, and the artistic approach used to create a tattoo.

 

Important elements include:

 

• Line quality (bold, fine, dynamic, single needle)

• Contrast (smooth, dramatic, high-detail realism)

• Color approach (black, grey, full color, pastels, saturated pigments)

• Shading style (soft blends, dotwork, realistic gradients)

• Motif category (portraits, animals, symbols, illustration, abstract design)

• Placement and body shape

 

 

The Most Important Tattoo Styles Explained

 

 

Realistic Tattoos

 

Realism tattoos are one of the most demanding disciplines in the tattoo world.

André is known across Austria and Europe for extremely realistic motifs — portraits, animals, eyes, hands, objects, and cinematic details.

 

Characteristics:

 

• ultra-fine detail

• smooth transitions

• realistic lighting

• high-precision line work

• photo-realistic appearance

 

Perfect for: portraits, wildlife, eyes, film characters, objects, nature.

 

👉 Link to gallery: REALISTIC TATTOOS

 

 

Fine Line Tattoos

 

Fine Line focuses on thin, elegant, precise lines.

Minimalistic, aesthetic, timeless.

 

Characteristics:

 

• ultra-thin lines

• delicate structures

• very light shading

• perfect balance and clean execution

• highly modern and very popular

 

Perfect for: flowers, lettering, symbols, small realism elements.

 

👉 Link to gallery: FINE LINE TATTOOS

 

 

Black & Grey Tattoos

 

A classic — and one of the most technically challenging.

 

Characteristics:

 

• black ink with grey gradients

• strong contrasts and dimension

• dramatic lighting

• timeless and long-lasting

• ideal for large-scale compositions

 

Perfect for: portraits, statues, mythology, religious art, animals.

 

👉 Link to gallery: BLACK & GREY TATTOOS

 

 

Color Tattoos

 

Color brings tattoos to life — and André is one of the few artists who master full-color realism at a high level.

 

Characteristics:

 

• highly saturated pigments

• smooth color gradients

• realistic light and shade

• expressive, vibrant color depth

• excellent long-term stability

 

Perfect for: animals, flowers, fantasy elements, illustrative designs, cover-ups.

 

👉 Link to gallery: COLOR TATTOOS

 

 

Cover-Up Tattoos

 

A cover-up is not just tattooing over an old tattoo — it is a complete redesign, a transformation.

 

Characteristics:

 

• strategic new line structure

• precise color planning

• use of light/dark zones to hide old patterns

• artistic integration

• high-level realism or stylized designs

 

Cover-ups are one of André’s strongest areas — especially realistic and full-color cover-ups.

 

👉 Link to gallery: COVER-UP TATTOOS

 

 

Portrait Tattoos

 

Portraits are the supreme discipline of realism.

 

Characteristics:

 

• perfect proportions

• extreme detail precision

• realistic skin textures

• lifelike expression, emotion, depth

• accurate highlights and micro-shadows

 

André’s portrait tattoos belong to the most recognized works in his career.

 

👉 Link to gallery: PORTRAIT TATTOOS

 

 

Which Tattoo Style Fits Which Body Area?

 

 

Arms:

 

• Realism

• Black & Grey

• Fine Line

• Portraits

 

 

Back:

 

• Color tattoos

• Large-scale realism

• Full compositions

 

 

Chest:

 

• Symbolic pieces

• Illustrative motifs

• Animal themes

 

 

Legs:

 

• Dynamic shapes

• Realism + Color combinations

 

 

How to Choose the Perfect Tattoo Style

 

Important factors:

 

• personal meaning

• motif concept

• placement and flow

• size

• color vs. black & grey

• style direction

• skin type and longevity

• personal aesthetic preferences

 

During a consultation, André develops a custom tattoo design, perfectly adapted to the body and style direction.

 

 

Why André Zechmann Masters All Tattoo Styles

 

Because he combines:

 

• 20+ years of tattoo experience

• professional background in art, illustration & graphic design

• knowledge of anatomy, light and shadow

• experience with skin tone, pigment behavior & aging

• top-tier equipment (Cheyenne, Intenze, high-end lighting, sterile workflow)

 

André blends tattoo art with classical fine art and design — a style that clients worldwide travel for.

 

 

Tattoo Style Dictionary A–Z

 

On our “Tattoo Lexicon A–Z” page you’ll find:

 

• 3D Tattoos

• Dotwork

• Geometric

• Single Needle

• Traditional

• Neo Traditional

• Watercolor

• Micro Realism

• Illustrative

• Ornamental

• and many more