TRADITIONAL AND NEOTRADITIONAL TATTOOS

Traditional tattoos, often called American Traditional or Old School, are a foundational style in tattooing that dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, popularized by sailors and artists like Sailor Jerry and Bob Shaw. They're defined by bold black outlines, vibrant primary colors, and simple shading with limited gradients, using iconic motifs like anchors, roses, swallows, hearts, swallows, panthers, and pin-up girls to symbolize adventure, love, and protection.

Neo-Traditional tattoos build on these classics with a modern twist—still featuring thick outlines and saturated colors but adding intricate details, realistic shading, and contemporary elements like floral twists or pop culture nods for more expressive, illustrative pieces. Both styles age well with minimal fading and suit beginners or collectors seeking bold, graphic looks.

I lean more toward Neo Traditional tattoos. Traditional tattooers are extremely common and a dime-a-dozen here in Houston. I like to put a personal flair into the style, and Neo Traditional is better for that, in my opinion. I’ve also included Japanese Traditional tattoos.