Beauty
From waves and florals to dates and animals.
You have a lot of options when it comes to deciding what to get for your next, or first, tattoo. From tiny tats to bold and colorful pieces, the sky is the limit with this art form. And if you're looking for a simple tattoo, the designs can run the gamut, so Bustle spoke with artists to hear how they define "simple tattoo," why it doesn't just mean small, and who it might be good for.
Related: Everything To Know About Getting A Finger Tattoo
Alysha Howard of Ink and Dagger Tattoo says that, for her, a simple tattoo isn't just something small — though it can be — but rather, something that requires only one machine and takes less than an hour to do. "'Simple' for me are line work designs, lettering — like typewriter-style or anything without varying thickness — and shapes," she says.
Royal Heritage Tattoo's Huka recommends flowers, bugs, and landscapes in addition to line work. But simple, she says, doesn't have to mean a lack of detail: Adding dot work or pepper shading can add depth to a design.
She says simple tattoos are good options for many reasons. "Simple well-done tattoos age well," she says. "If applied correctly, your line work flower will still look like a flower [for years]."
Howard also says they make for a great first tattoo, telling Bustle they're great to "just to get an idea of how it feels, if [getting a tattoo] is something you’ll even enjoy."
If you're sold and ready to find your next (or first) piece, check out these 30 simple tattoos.
2Wave Tattoos
Wave tattoos have gotten increasingly popular. These matching designs are a perfect example of something small and simple.
4Animal Tattoos
For those looking for animal-based tattoo inspiration, check out this single line, Picasso-inspired bull from celebrity artist Winter Stone.
5Kite Tattoos
This stunning piece by Bang Bang New York artist Okan Uckun is proof that simple doesn't always mean understated. The gorgeous line work that moves from the kite down to the wrist is dramatic but uncomplicated.
7Feather Tattoos
This stunning feather from celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo is a great example of the shading technique.
11Body Part Tattoos
Simple tattoos of bodies and body parts are common online, and many appear similar to Miley Cyrus' Matisse-inspired ink.
12Food Tattoos
From matching to minimal ink, food tattoos pop up everywhere, and that's true of simple bits of body art as well.
13Shape Tattoos
This collection of lines, stars, dots, and arrows marry multiple shapes to make for a stunning tattoo. (This one happens to belong to Hailey Bieber.)
14Moon Tattoos
Like stars, moons are popular symbols in the tattoo world. This piece from Johnny Dagger may be simple, but it features the shading technique Huka mentioned.
30Chess Pieces
Chalk it up to recency bias (and an obsession with Anya Taylor-Joy), but this outline of the queen chess piece will make anyone want to sign up for a tournament ASAP.
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