AMERICAN TRADITIONAL TATTOOS: ORIGIN, DESIGN, AND BEST IDEAS!

Font: Pinterest

Classical Tattooing, World War II and Evolution

In addition to the contribution of these and many other artists, World War II marked an important turning point in the consolidation and evolution of the traditional style. 

In this context, soldiers and sailors, increasingly tattooed, didn’t waste a second thinking about what people would say, so in their few spare moments, they took the opportunity to get tattooed. Love, nostalgia, vice, patriotism, and struggle were some of the most recurrent themes. Honolulu, and Pearl Harbor, in particular, was a popular destination for many soldiers, and leaving with a piece for their collection was almost obligatory.

In the 1950s and 1960s, traditional tattooing continued to be associated with people who didn’t want to jump through society’s hoops. It also became more and more associated with convicts, which is why tattooing wasn’t very well regarded. It was also closely associated with bikers, who considered tattoos to be a badge engraved in fire, something for life.

The truth is that from the 60s onwards, tattooing progressed thanks to artists such as Cliff Raven and Jamie Summer, among many others. The repertoire of designs grew thanks to younger and younger artists. So later, in the 70s and 80s, when the punk movement was a trend, classic pieces that served to reinforce their image began to appear under their cut-off cowboy hats.

Technical Aspects of the Traditional American Tattoo

The traditional tattoo designs are characterized by some basic details: thick, firm, unmodulated lines. With solid primary colors in their color palette like reds, yellows, greens, blues, and lots of blacks. Simple designs or of great abstraction that within them have an absolute complexity, of balanced and detailed composition but not excessive. 

Many American tattoo masters have emerged, as we have already mentioned a few lines above. But it’s indisputable that Norman Collins (Sailor Jerry), was a pioneer within the tattoo culture in the West. As tattoos became increasingly popular among the Allied military during World War II, Sailor Jerry found himself opening a tattoo shop in Honolulu (Hawaii), a prominent setting in the history of tattooing.

Old School Tattooing Today

Today, the “American tattoo”, also known as Old-School, remains intact with its solidity, its cleanliness, and all its essence. The biggest change is the brutal technological progress. The “tattoo suppliers” improve their performance: better inks, lighting, furniture, and countless resources. Even from Leaf Pro, we are doing our own thing, trying to do our bit for the current tattoo scene.

Interaction and imitation between artists still exist, but the great advance that social networks have made in promoting artists and the acceptance of tattooing in society has played a key role in this growth.

As time has passed, different styles of tattooing have developed, and many of them have evolved. Nowadays, almost anywhere in the world, you can find a tattoo studio, and most likely a good tattooist to fatten up your collection. What used to be a culture represented mainly by tattoos of pin-up girls, anchors, and knives, has expanded, giving way to the added value of elegance and elaborate pieces. 

Some artists prefer the style where line and drawing are highlighted, others give value to geometrical patterns, others, however, cover large areas of skin with solid black, etc. 

What is certain is that nowadays a new counterculture has been created, which is becoming more popular every day, where tattooing has become more than just a preponderant accessory, it has become a way of life!