The New school tattoo style represent a contemporary progression of an ancient practice of body adornment. These designs draw inspiration from the vibrant pop culture of the 70s and 80s, showcasing busy scenes featuring cultural icons. The tattoos come to life with their striking outlines, saturated colors and meticulous attention to detail.
New school tattoos exude a sense of fun, vibrancy and the ability to captivate attention. If you’re eager to explore further, let’s delve into the world of new school tattoos.
The history of this modern style is relatively brief, as it emerged only a few decades ago and continues to evolve in various directions. Numerous stories attribute the origins of this style to the work of artists in the 1970s and 1980s, influenced by the counterculture movement prevalent on the West Coast during that era.
Notably, pioneers like Marcus Pacheco from the San Francisco Bay Area were instrumental in bridging the gap between this emerging style and the burgeoning graffiti tradition of the time.
With the new school style, the traditional black and white imagery of old school tattoos underwent a vibrant transformation, embracing a rich spectrum of colors. Iconic images from pop culture took center stage, replacing traditional symbols such as eagles and crosses. Cartoon characters, science fiction personas and representations of contemporary celebrities became prominent subjects. New school tattoos embody boldness, vividness and a sense of lightness.
By the 1990s, the new school direction had firmly established itself as a highly popular style, characterised by exaggerated subject matter, vibrant color palettes and bold outlines. The artwork within this style often features a distinctive 3D imagery, creating a sense of perspective and space. The characters depicted in these tattoos sometimes appear to extend beyond the boundaries of the picture, conveying a dynamic sense of movement.
The new school tattoo styles drew significant inspiration from Japanese culture, evident in the vibrant colors and striking design contrasts. The influence of anime, manga and computer games also made a notable impact on this style. The new school tattoo movement encompasses several main directions: cyberpunk, wild new school new tradition and acid.
Cyberpunk: This style not only includes subjects related to the cyberpunk genre but also incorporates imagery associated with video games, anime and manga. Typically, these tattoos are crafted by enthusiasts of these cultural influences.
Wild new school: This style incorporates elements of graffiti-inspired artwork and employs fonts and lettering that reflect its urban character.
New tradition: These tattoos represent a classic interpretation of the new school style, with a primary focus on cartoons and other fictional characters. They are executed in a distinctive cartoon-like manner.
Acid: Tattoos falling under this category are characterised by their use of vivid and vibrant colors reminiscent of acid tones.
New school tattoo designs encompass a diverse range of plots, ranging from primitive to intricate and from humorous to philosophical. This style offers the freedom to bring forth any idea, no matter how daring, enabling artists to unleash their creativity to the fullest extent.
Animals – Animals can be made in any direction of the new school, but the most popular is a new tradition. Some animals meaning such as Fox that represent Intelligence; Cunning; Independence; Playfulness. Tiger that represent Modesty; A sense of dignity; Power; Strength; Beauty. Chameleon that represent Adaptability to changes; Variety of the inner world; The uncommonness of personality. Other most common animals used in this particular tattoo style are Cat, Deer and Crocodile.
Birds – The meaning of bird tattoo designs such as, Hummingbird that represent Tenderness; Tremendousness; Lightness; Energy; Life-loving. Peacock that represent Nobility; Wisdom; Pride; Longevity. Parrot that represent Striving to stand out from the crowd; Love of vacations in tropical countries; A good sense of humor. Other birds taken for design are Owl, Bullfinch and Raven.
Films, Cartoons – The art of New School tattooing and cartoon series seamlessly intertwine, creating a harmonious blend of styles. This particular style of drawing employs techniques reminiscent of cartoon artistry, making it a natural fit for featuring beloved cartoon characters, ranging from adorable Disney figures to eccentric personalities like Rick and Morty. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to witness movie characters being brought to life through tattoos. One notable example is Jim Carrey’s iconic portrayal of “The Mask” in the eponymous film. The vibrant colors and exaggerated expressions make this character an ideal candidate for a New School-style representation, capturing the essence of the character’s dynamic emotions.
Anime – Drawing inspiration from Japanese culture, particularly manga and anime, the new school tattoo style has gained widespread popularity. Unsurprisingly, anime serves as one of the most popular subjects within this style. The selection of a specific character, however, depends entirely on one’s personal affinity for a particular storyline or narrative.
Skulls – New school style skulls showcase vibrant and often vividly acidic colors, reminiscent of the iconic Mexican-style skulls. The skulls represent Power; Protection; Power; Rebirth.
Flowers – Flower tattoos are commonly executed in the new-traditional tattoo style, employing a more subdued color palette to achieve a natural and realistic appearance. The flowers represent Love; Joy; Freshness; Unity; Vitality.
The Difference Between New School and Old School Tattoo
Non-traditional tattoos typically exhibit a two-dimensional appearance, whereas new-school tattoos employ extensive shading techniques to introduce a heightened level of depth and a captivating three-dimensional effect to the design.
