If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next tattoo or just want to see some of the most creative and well-done pieces out there, the subreddits r/tattoo and r/tattoos are the perfect places to start.
These online communities are full of enthusiasts who share their own ink and the designs they admire from other artists around the world. Whether it’s a beautiful watercolor-like bouquet of flowers, a geometric animal portrait, or a classic bold skull, everyone is bound to discover something they like, no matter their taste.
So continue scrolling to check out our hand-picked content from these subreddits, and don’t miss the talk we had with tattooist and owner of Swansea, United Kingdom-based studio Highwater Gallery, Josh Young.
#1
My Dad Died On December 15, 2016. Today, I Got A Tattoo
#2
My Cat, Meonji, By Yeonno In Hongdae, Seoul Korea. It’s My First Tattoo Ever And Took 11 Hours
When thinking about inking your skin, it’s important to understand what you’re getting yourself into. “I would say one of the most common misconceptions about tattooing perhaps would be the time it takes to design and perform a tattoo,” Young told Bored Panda.
“I think to the inexperienced customer, they can, a lot of the time, assume we are able to just ‘knock up’ a quick design and unfortunately, the line ‘the tattoo should only take half an hour’ is thrown in quite a lot.”
#3
Calvin And Hobbes Embroidery Patch By Duda Lozano In Sao Paolo, Brazil
#4
Wildflowers By Jing From Jing’s Tattoo Studio In Flushing, NY
#5
My Brother, My Sister And Me (Triplets) Finally Decided To Get Our First Tattoo
Young is guessing that it could stem from flash sheet days, “where you could just pick off the wall and get it done quite quickly. Or perhaps it comes from watching ‘reality’ tattoo shows that are cut to show the design, set up, and execution done in half an hour.”
Either way, the artist thinks people should invest a bit of patience to educate themselves rather than meet these assumptions and misconceptions with frustration.
#6
Golden Balloon Dog Made By Me, Pony Lawson At My Shop Mayday! Tattoo Co In Chicago
#7
My Grandma & Grandpa – By Eli Wood At Lombard Street Tattoo In Portland!
#8
Done By Chris Rigoni At Bloodlines Ink In Perth, Western Australia
#9
My Little Trash Cat By Zzizziboy In Seoul, South Korea
“Another common misconception would be the pain aspect,” Young added. “Yes, the procedure can be painful, but the body is incredibly resilient and everyone is surprised at their own pain tolerance.
“We as humans are capable of sitting through huge amounts of trauma and so when anyone mentions they wouldn’t be able to sit for a tattoo, I would encourage them to just give it a bash and they will be pleasantly surprised at their own tolerance.”
#10
Fish Bones, Done By Trevor Varem, Mission Tattoo Parlour, Calgary Alberta
#11
Scar “Cover Up” I Did The Other Day. Now She’s Got Her Best Friend Looking Back At Her 🙂 Done Be Me – Adam Makharita (@adamdeanart) At Dot. Creative Group In NYC
#12
My Arm, Done Today In One 8 Hour Sitting By Hannah Flowers Of No Regrets In London UK. What’d Ya Think?
#13
Tattoo By Alba, Long Story Tattoo, Prague | Artwork By Mahdieh Farhadkiaei, Iran
The most important thing first-timers should concentrate on, according to the tattoo artist, is comfort. “If the customer is not comfortable and relaxed, then usually it sets the precedent for how well they sit during the tattoo procedure,” Young highlighted.
“Too many times I’ve seen first-timers hella nervous and not made to feel relaxed and instead of excited, they are fearful, and don’t actually sit very well or enjoy the whole experience. It is a tattooist’s responsibility to ensure that they are not only providing the very best tattoo for the client but making it the most enjoyable experience too.”
#14
2.500 Years Old Tattoo
#15
Now My Birth Mark Is An Actual Wine Stain
#16
Entropy By Cavan@gritnglory, NYC
#17
Honey Bees For A Pair Of Married Beekeepers, By Keith C (Me) At Spinning Needle Tattoos In Ft Worth
Whatever is driving you to a tattoo salon, it’s enoughю After all, it’s your body!
“Most first-timers tend to get a tattoo for personal reasons,” Young said. “I think because the tattoos tend to have far deeper meanings behind them, it encourages them to get over the fear and get it done.”
“Once people start getting a lot of coverage, that’s usually when the silly non-meaning tattoos tend to break out,” he added, laughing.
#18
Kiddo Created A Crazy Creature Out Of Construction Paper So I Had My Tattoo Artist Interpret It!
#19
Finally Got To Do Something Creative With My Ugly Shoulder Scar Thanks To Chris Earnhart At Arcade Tattoo, Ca
#20
My Eastern European Folk Art Tattoo With Pigeons. Done By Koral At White Rabbit In NYC
#21
I Covered Some Gnarly 3rd Degree Burn Scars With A Fire Dragon By Adam Sky, Morningstar Tattoo, Belmont, California
If you need reassurance, remember that industry professionals really want you to have a positive experience. “My advice would be to any first-timers, if you are not made to feel comfortable when in the tattoo shop, look somewhere else.”
“We at Highwater Gallery and many good tattoo shops I know of, strive to make you as relaxed and comfortable as possible, whilst also understanding that it can be very daunting and you can be a bag of nerves coming in,” the tattoo artist explained.
#22
Me And My Dog! Made By Mentat Gamze At Studio Aureo, Rome (Italy)
#23
Octopus By Me, David Peyote
#24
My Latest Piece Done By John Tarrao At Stone’s Throw Tattoo In Berwyn, Pa. Philly Suburb. I Still Can’t Get Over. I’m Still Blown Away
#25
First Tattoo! Clarinet Designed By My Father And Done By Pascal Guimond At Sinister Skin In Port Moody Bc
In Young’s opinion, “cups of tea or coffee, reassuring words of encouragement, a very laid-back attitude to time frames, and a calm and relaxed approach to the process all help to create the best experience possible for you for your first tattoo.”
“Tattoo shops thrive on repeat customers so they should be doing everything they can to encourage you to come back, even if getting a tattoo tends to be a little painful now and then!”
#26
In Utter Awe At This Japanese Back Piece Done By South Korean Artist, Zumiism
#27
Kimono Inspired Geo/Spirograph Piece Done By @nissaco In Japan, Osaka
#28
My Latest Tattoo, Winnie The Pooh And Friends By Ashley June At 522 Tattoo Just North Of Seattle
#29
My Grandma (77 Years Young) Just Got Her First Tattoo! “It Didn’t Hurt At All”
#30
Embroidery Flower Tattoo By Ksu Arrow
#31
My New Tattoos, To Cover Up Old Self Harm Scars. Changing Sadness To Beauty
#32
Freehand Retouch/ Redesign By Omar Hunter, Guadalajara, Mexico
#33
My Chest Done Yesterday By Blum, Paris France !
#34
Done By Erin Chance At Unkindness Art In Richmond Va. Inspired By Beth Cavener’s Sculpture “All Tangled Up In You”
#35
Moon Goddess By Cam Pohl (Lansing Mi) Done At Austin Tattoo Invitational
#36
Very Fine Ear Piece Done By Kevin At Black Bear Ink, Eindhoven (The Netherlands)
#37
Flowers Done At First Class Tattoo, NYC
#38
Courage Tattoo By Me
#39
Dark Floral Sleeve By Jacob, An Artist At Til Death Denver
#40
Leonardo Da Vinci Done In Istanbul, Turkey
#41
Mario Goes To Work – Mat Frankin, Tat Franklin Studios / Columbus, Ohio
#42
My Shin By Mike Boyd. Done 12 Months Ago. Just Found You Guys
#43
I Had My Cat Tattooed As An Astrocat!
#44
Fresh Pink Panther/ Tiger On The Chest By Manh Huynh At Freedom Inks, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
#45
My First Tattoo(S). Geometric/Forest/Nature Theme. By Justine Nordine @ The Raw Canvas In Grand Junction, Co
#46
My First Tattoo. Done By Shinya At Studio Muscat, Tokyo (8 Months Ago)
#47
Left Healed , Right Fresh. Both Will Be Touched Up (I Am An Apprentice)
#48
Got My Foot Done By Castlebasas In La, California
#49
My Wifes Fresh ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ Tattoo Done By Tara At Mooresville Tattoo Company, Mooresville Nc
#50
A Bobby Pin- Done By Billy Gamble At Top Secret Tattoo, Waco, Tx
