Definition
What is a blackout tattoo?
A blackout tattoo is the extreme end of blackwork: large areas of skin are filled with solid, saturated black ink, often as cover-ups or as an aesthetic choice. The result is a bold, monolithic look.
Blackout requires multiple sessions and heals best with experienced hands. It can also be combined with negative-space designs, where the final image is 'drawn' by what's left unblackened.
Examples
- Full-sleeve blackout with white-ink negative-space linework
- Cover-up of a large old tattoo
- Half-sleeve solid black with geometric borders