Definition
What is a half-sleeve tattoo?
A half-sleeve is a tattoo covering either the upper arm (shoulder to elbow) or the forearm (elbow to wrist). It's a popular stepping stone between standalone pieces and a full sleeve.
Half-sleeves are often used as a compositional unit — they can later be extended into a full sleeve, or left as a finished piece.
Examples
- Japanese koi half-sleeve on the forearm
- Neo-traditional rose half-sleeve on the upper arm
- Blackwork geometric forearm half-sleeve