Thinking about getting a tattoo? Choosing one can be difficult, and you need to consider both the design and the style in which it will be made.
Techniques vary, and artists have their own styles, preferred designs and subjects. That makes it important to find an artist who can draw and tattoo a design that fits your expectations. The range of styles can make choosing confusing. Here we introduce old-school tattooing and Gozdi, who works in this style at our studio.
Contents:
- What distinguishes an old-school tattoo?
- The history of old-school tattooing
- Sailor Jerry Collins and old-school tattooing
- Old-school tattoos: characteristic features
- Old-school tattooing and Gozdi
- Choosing an old-school design
What distinguishes an old-school tattoo?
Old-school tattooing is also called traditional tattooing. It uses a recognisable visual language: even, bold black outlines and relatively simple shading.
Alongside black outlines and details, it uses a limited palette, often including green, blue and red. Simple forms and clear outlines can help a design remain readable, although no style guarantees an unchanged appearance over the years.
Old-school tattoos may look straightforward, but their execution requires skill and experience.
The history of old-school tattooing
Maritime traditions are an important part of old-school tattoo imagery. Sailors used tattoos as talismans or to record significant experiences. Common nautical subjects include:
- ships;
- mermaids;
- anchors;
- lighthouses;
- the North Star.
Over time, tattoo imagery expanded beyond nautical subjects. Other familiar designs include:
- panthers;
- snakes;
- swallows;
- military or patriotic imagery, such as eagles and the American flag.
Sailor Jerry Collins and old-school tattooing
Sailor Jerry Collins is closely associated with American traditional tattooing. His work drew on maritime life and influences encountered during his travels.
He contributed to the development of tattooing, experimenting with pigments and equipment. His work remains a reference point for artists interested in American traditional designs.
Subjects associated with his work include:
- bottles of alcohol;
- birds of prey;
- Hawaiian imagery;
- knives, pistols and other weapons;
- dice.
Old-school tattoos: characteristic features
Common features of old-school tattoos include:
- bold black outlines;
- bright colours;
- a limited palette of additional colours, often green, red or blue.
Old-school tattooing often creates a clear, expressive composition through a small selection of colours. A tattoo can be adapted to an arm, leg, back or ribs, depending on the design and available space.
Old-school tattooing and Gozdi
Gozdi enjoys old-school tattooing. He has been tattooing since 2010 and taught himself both drawing and tattooing. His work reflects his interest in the style and the subjects he chooses.
Gozdi loves animals and often designs tattoos featuring them. Music is another interest: alongside listening, he sometimes plays bass guitar.
He won first place in the tattoo of the day category at the 5th Transilvania Tattoo Expo and second place in the same category at Gdańsk Tattoo Konwent 2012.
If you are considering an old-school tattoo, explore his portfolio and discuss your design with him.
Choosing an old-school design
If you like clear outlines and traditional imagery, consider the subjects you enjoy and discuss a custom composition with your artist. You do not have to choose a classic motif such as a ship, skull or bird of prey. An individual idea can also be interpreted in the style.
If you are in Warsaw, visit our studio to discuss an old-school design with Gozdi and see examples of his work.
Instagram: @Damian.Gozdur
Facebook: @Damian * Gozdi * Gozdur