Neo-Traditional tattoos are a modern take on a classic style, and is likely to be a longstanding tattoo genre. These classic designs are taken and given up a modern flare and more vibrant colors, to bring it the Neo-Traditional realm. Some of the most common Neo-Traditional design choices tend to involve nature or animals, specifically tigers, lions and wolves, due to the rich meanings behind these tattoo designs.Īdditionally, a lot of Neo-Traditional designs include women, lighthouses, and daggers – all of which are common designs in the Traditional style as well. Most Neo-Traditional designs take inspiration from classic American Traditional motifs, with the addition of a new color palette and modernized designs. Both styles employ bold linework, but it’s the shading, color scheme and content that dictates which style is which. Neo-Traditional tattoos are flatter in appearance, with a 2D look, whereas New School tattoos have a ton of shading to create a new level of depth to the design. Does it look like it’s popping off of the skin, with a clear 3D effect? Then you’re looking at a New School design. You can also tell the difference between the two styles by looking at the depth of the tattoo design. Color-wise, New School tattoos include vibrant, bold colors in the design, well outside of the spectrum that would be used in most Neo-Traditional designs. New School tattoos, however, are heavily influenced by pop and graffiti culture, so the content is a lot more modern. Neo-Traditional tattoos tend to have a lot of influence from Traditional content, meaning they honor a lot of military motifs and classic American designs, with the addition of color pigments that are outside of the primary color spectrum. There are some key ways to tell the difference between the two, though, so that you’re clear on what you’re looking for in terms of tattoo styles. New School and Neo-Traditional tattoos can look very similar, but they are very different tattoo styles. Neon bright colors aren’t used as frequently in Neo-Traditional designs, but there’s no rule that says such colors can’t be included in a Neo-Traditional tattoo. Neo-Traditional tattoos have more vibrant colors than the primary color scheme that’s typically seen in Traditional tattoos the color spectrum is much more broad than this style’s predecessor. That being said, you want to be sure that your design idea makes sense for this particular style, and the tattoo artist you choose, as Renan emphasizes, “The client’s idea has to flow with the actual style of the tattoo artist, and vice-versa”. As long as the design has the 2-dimensional depth of an American Traditional tattoo, it can be classified as a Neo-Traditional style tattoo. Neo-Traditional tattoos are a modern style, and it’s still evolving, so there are endless options for what you can have included in your design. It’s important to know this, so that you know exactly which style to refer to when you’re reaching out to an artist.Īccording to Renan, “a Neo-Traditional tattoo has to be experimental, blending the concepts of Traditional art with modern designs”. There are some key elements that make a tattoo Neo-Traditional in style, and once you know what to look for, you’ll be able to tell the difference between Neo-Traditional, Traditional, and New School tattoos. Cartoon imagery, for example, started to become apart of Neo-Traditional designs, but the depth and lines still speak of a clear influence from the Traditional style.

As the style evolved, more modern content was included in Neo-Traditional designs, but still in keeping with the esthetic of Traditional tattoos.

This new tattoo movement still used American Traditional techniques, but with wider linework and a broader color spectrum. Whereas Traditional style heavily features American influences and motifs, Neo-Traditional expanded on these classics by using inspiration and techniques from European artists and styles.Īfter the 1970s resurgence of tattoos, there were major innovations with tattoo machines and the inks used, so a wider variety of color options became available. Brazilian tattoo artist Renan Batista explains that “Neo-Traditional is quite new, it has probably 10 or 15 years, and a huge European influence as background”. The Neo-Traditional (or ‘New’ Traditional) tattoo style isn’t the most recent, as the name would imply, but it’s not the oldest either.

Neo traditional tattoo