Grey Washed Color

Grey Washed Color
Grey washed color is where you tattoo and entire image in grey wash
and then do high detailed color blending. This adds more definition to a
tattoo then you can imagine. If it’s a larger tattoo then you will have to grey
wash it, and have them return once healed for the color. Grey wash and color
wash both are hard on the skin; if you spent too much time on it in one shot
you will scar them really bad. Only do this in one sitting if the tattoo is small.
Use high detailed grey wash and high blended, bright colors. The tattoo will
look like it was done by a computer when done right. One of the best artists I
have seen in this style is David Bolt. I don’t want to display any of his images
here out of respect, but I highly recommend picking up some of his flash to
see what I’m talking about. He is a pioneer in this style; you can’t appreciate
it till you see what I’m talking about.
Heal ‘n Hit
Heal n’ hit is really only a color technique; it won’t do too much good
with black and grey. You do a nice definition color piece; animal portraits are
great for this. You do the entire tattoo with bright and vibrant colors and let
the client heal. Once they heal for about a month, have them come back and
go over the entire tattoo again. Don’t do this more than three times or you
will scar them. The layers of color will show through making it brighter each
time. After the second or third time, the tattoo will look like an oil painting
on the skin. White on the skin will look like a sheet of paper. The down side
to this is that in the end it will cost you more because you have to use the
supplies each time. It’s not very practical but it’s amazing how well the colors
turn out.
Negative Image
Negative is a technique that has really gained popularity over the last
ten years. It’s where you use the skin it’s self for the image tattooed. One
example is the tattoo above. The smoke along the sides was blood lined. As
the tattoo progressed, I filled in and shaded the area as normal leaving the
smoke alone. You can do this with any image. It also works well with grey
wash. Another piece that comes to mind is the top of a foot I did a while
back. The tattoo image was flames going from the toes up to the ankle. In the