Skinhead Tattoo Photo #9459

Originating in 1960s British working-class culture with roots in Jamaican rude boy fashion and ska music, the skinhead movement later fractured into sharply opposing factions. Understanding this context matters for anyone considering or studying these designs.

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.

Forearm tattoos benefit from a natural canvas that follows the arm's long shape. Designs can wrap around the arm or sit on the inner or outer surface, giving flexibility in how the tattoo is displayed.