Finally planning to get a tattoo done? Well, while getting one is never a bad idea, not planning it and doing the necessary research is not a good option. We spoke to three tattoo artists in the city to learn about the newest trends in tattooing, how to plan a tattoo and why research is of utmost importance.
Niloy Das from Lizard’s Skin Tattoos
When it comes to tattoo trends in India, Niloy says that tattoos surrounding the theme of mythology, specifically Shiva tattoos, have always been very popular. Niloy has created a number of magnificent tattoo sleeves featuring Shiva, Ganesha and Krishna, to name a few.
“Apart from mythology tattoos, pet tattoos and friendship tattoos are also very popular. I always encourage people to get friendship tattoos because it is a great way to cement a bond with people who are close to us. Go for matching themes rather than exactly the same tattoo, that tells a story. It will give a lot more meaning to your ink,” said Niloy.
Sid Thapa from Calcutta Ink Tattoo Studio
While tattoo sleeves are grand and OTT, Sid Thapa believes that smaller tattoos have gained quite a lot of attention recently. From minimal designs to small discreet ones, smaller tattoos are now getting more attention than before.
“Tattoos don’t have to be large to make an impact. Today, smaller tattoos are trending, especially for women. That’s because dainty body art can seem more elegant than oversized pieces or full sleeves, as the tattoo will appear more in proportion. Tiny inkings can also be easily covered by clothing. Just because they are smaller in size, doesn’t mean they are any less meaningful,” said Sid.
Anjan Pradhan from Unik Ink Tattoo Studio
While there are new trends coming and going in the world of tattoos everyday, Anjan believes that some tattoo forms are still as popular as ever, like Māori tattoo, Polynesian art, Mandala tattoos, and even portrait tattoo.
“I don’t believe in trends for tattooing personally, because trends come and go, but a tattoo will stay for life. I always suggest to my clients to get what they can connect with for the rest of their life, rather than just going for a ‘cool’ looking design,” said Pradhan.
Tattoo rapid fire
Minimalistic, ‘non-commitment’ tattoos are a trend now. Is it something that you should try out as well?
All the three artists believe that the size of a tattoo has nothing to do with how meaningful it can be to a person. If you feel particularly drawn to a design, go for it by all means.
While finger tattoos look cool, is it a good idea to get one?
All tattoo artists advise their clients to avoid getting tattoos on their fingers. “We wash our hands the most and our skin sheds from our hands making the tattoo fade much faster than usual. It is never a good idea to get finger tattoos,” explained Niloy Das.
Sid Thapa said, “Finger tattoos have become very popular recently. And the reason is that they are minimal and look very cool on social platforms. However, they show the fresh ink, not the healed end result, which can be subject to the risk of blowouts, super fast fades and higher infection, not to mention how painful they are.”
Are matching tattoos ‘relationship goals’?
While getting matching tattoos can be quite a commitment, most tattoo artists try to talk clients out of it if they aren’t very sure. The whole process can be quite physically and emotionally taxing if one is not sure of how strong their relationship is. Rather than going for elaborate PDA with names, try going for small matching themes tattoos, which are a whole in themselves, while giving more meaning to each individual designs.
