White Tattoo Photo #1159

Instead of dark lines on skin, you get a raised, almost embossed pattern that only reveals itself up close or under the right light. The effect is closer to a scar or a watermark than a conventional tattoo, and that subtlety is exactly the point for people who want ink that does not announce itself to the room.

Achieving lifelike results in skin requires mastery of light, shadow, and color blending. Realistic tattoos often look three-dimensional, with subjects appearing to emerge from the skin surface.

The ribcage offers a private placement that only shows when the wearer chooses. Its curved surface adds dimension to designs, though the area is known for being one of the more sensitive spots to tattoo.