Illustrative Tattoos in Atlanta
Illustrative tattoos combine fine art theory with tattoo craftsmanship.
Varying line-weights, precise detail, and bold contrast bring ideas to life on skin.
Explore Wes’ Illustrative Tattoo Portfolio
Every Illustrative tattoo tells a story, whether inspired by nature, mythology, or personal symbolism.
Browse tattoos by Wes Holland created at Lightwork Tattoo in Sandy Springs to see how artistic design translates seamlessly to skin.
Understanding Illustrative Tattoo Design
Style Overview
Illustrative tattoos merge drawing techniques and art theory with tattoo fundamentals. This style emphasizes form, shadow, and composition, creating tattoos that are both expressive and technically balanced.
Subject Matter & Storytelling
Common themes include animals, mythological creatures, florals, and objects that hold symbolic meaning. Illustrative tattoos often blend realism, fantasy, and abstract elements to convey emotion or narrative depth. The result is a piece with artistic depth that inspires conversation.
Technical Approach
This style relies on deliberate linework, dynamic shading, and strong contrast to create depth and movement. Wes Holland’s Illustrative tattoos are known for their clean execution and painterly sensibility — whether in color or black and grey.
Adaptation for Skin Tone & Scale
The Illustrative style is highly adaptable across all skin tones. For brown and dark skin, balanced contrast and controlled color saturation ensure the design stays readable and elegant.
Large-scale illustrative tattoos, such as sleeves or back pieces, make the most of negative space for contrast and have the most impact on dark skin. However, the same principles apply beautifully to smaller pieces.
Working with Wes Holland
Wes’ background in fine art and tattooing allows him to translate complex ideas into cohesive designs. From antique-inspired objects to symbolic nature scenes, his illustrative work merges aesthetics with storytelling in a way that’s timeless and uniquely personal.
Pricing & Sessions
Illustrative tattoos are billed at $200/hr, with a 2 hour minimum. Small and medium pieces can be completed in one session, while large compositions typically require multiple sittings depending on complexity, color choice, and detail.
Illustrative Tattoo FAQs
-
Illustrative tattoos blend fine art drawing, pen & ink, or painting techniques with tattoo fundamentals, emphasizing contrast, flow, and storytelling. They can range from minimal black and grey linework to full-color compositions.
-
The style suits almost any theme; including animals, mythological creatures, florals, and antiques.
It’s ideal for clients who want symbolic or story-driven designs.
-
Yes. Illustrative tattoos depend on clean contrast and negative space rather than subtle gradients, which allows them to remain clear and detailed on all skin tones.
Proper planning ensures every detail reads well over time.
-
Small & medium pieces can often be finished in 2 - 6 hours, while larger projects or sleeves or back pieces typically require multiple 4 - 6 hour sessions depending on detail and color choice.
-
Illustrative tattoos are billed at $200 per hour, with a 2 hour minimum. You’ll receive an estimated time and price during your consultation, based on your concept’s scale and complexity.
Start Your Illustrative Tattoo
Ready to book your illustrative tattoo? Use the form below to start your booking process.
Once submitted, you'll receive a link to schedule your appointment (or a consultation first, if more details are needed).
Atlanta’s Leading Studio for Illustrative Tattoos
Located in Sandy Springs and serving clients throughout the Atlanta metro area, including Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Alpharetta, Buckhead, and Marietta, Lightwork Tattoo is known for artistic precision, clean execution, and the ability to turn meaningful ideas into lasting works of art.