Army Tattoo Photo #22595

For some people it's a proud "chapter marker," for others it's a quiet memorial. The strongest designs are specific: they reflect a real story, a place, a date, or values that were earned.

By placing thousands of tiny dots at controlled spacing, dotwork artists achieve smooth gradients and intricate patterns. This labor-intensive method gives tattoos a unique texture that stands apart from traditional line-based work.

The collarbone's clean horizontal line provides a natural guide for elongated designs. This placement adds a subtle accent to the upper body and works especially well with fine-line and minimalist styles.