The peony flower is the most important flower in China symbolizing wealth, longevity, happiness, love, beauty and even more. No wonder it’s been a constant in Chinese poems, literary works and paintings and now tattoos. This amazing hand tattoo is done in the New School style showcasing bold outlines and vibrant, bold colors. The style differs from the Old School/American style with its traditional themes like pin-up girls. Just looking at this tattoo design on my hand with its beautiful bright colors would make me happy.

Wonderful work by this French tattoo artist.

@oshink__

This Mandala style tattoo actually looks like a piece of armor from gladiator days. I love how it neatly wraps over this man’s hand and wrist like a custom made metal piece . There’s also the Whip Shading style employed on the upper portion of the tattoo. Here shading is achieved without the use of any washes. Rather with just solid black ink and by varying the movement of his hand/machine, the artist creates the shading gradients. That takes major talent. Kudos to the artist Mike Sledziona of Chicago, USA.

@mikesledz

The best hand tattoos make good use of the space provided by the hand. In this example, you need just one look and you can see how the round face of this cat perfectly fits the contours of the hand. Even the cherry blossom-adorned collar follows the natural curve above the fingers. It’s like the hand was just waiting for this tattoo. The Neo Traditional style was used here characterized by bold outlines, bold colors and natural shapes. This tattoo is the cat’s meow. 

Great work by the artist Alex of North Tyneside, England. Check out his Instagram to see more Neo Traditional animal tattoos.

@alexrowntreetattoo

This beautiful Mandala tattoo is done in the Linework style. When employing this style on the hand It’s important to minimize detail as the lines bloat or swell over time imparting a messy look. The artist Rose of Lorraine, France did a great job with the design by including lots of open space punctuated by the three dots at the top.

@madmoizelrose

This man’s hand tattoo showcases several styles. First there’s Text where the words and letters actually become part of the art; think graffiti and calligraphy. Then there’s Minimal style where “less is more”. It’s clean, sharp, and features graphic lines. Real skill is in play with the use of the Black and Gray style. Typically only black ink is used and watered down by the artist to achieve the shading. You can see this over the entire hand as well as with the eagle. While this may seem like a simple design, it is actually a great idea by the artist.

@rodrigosalcedo.v

True to the Minimal style this floral tattoo has a single element deconstructed into its most basic elements. The empty or whitespace within and around it adds a sense of simplicity. Even with the addition of color, the desired effect of “less is more” is beautifully achieved by the artist Patricia Shim from Lisbon, Portugal.

@patriciashim

These tattoos scream macho. From the location across the hands and fingers, to the minimal design elements, to the use of only blacks and gray – a sense of masculinity is definitely achieved. With the Black and Gray style, typically only black ink is used which is then watered down to achieve the different shades. The detailed shading in this tattoo requires real skill. Props to Artist La Fleur of Paris, France for all these tattoos, especially the skull hand tattoo.

@tattoo_lafleur

This large floral tattoo on the forearm and hand is dramatic due to the style employed. Blackwork style sticks to black ink only; no color, no shading. The black ink is generally delivered in large solid planes. Here though the artist did add some light via the use of negative space as seen on the leaves. The solid black line extending onto the index finger adds to the drama while providing some movement to the tattoo.

@vold_blaxk

The delicate shading of this Ornamental style small hand tattoo is so pretty. The style is inspired by Greek, Roman and Indian ornamental art. As with other well designed hand tattoos, the design here perfectly compliments the dimensions of the hand with the extension of ink onto the fingers completing the look. Nice manicure but none really needed. Tattoo performed by Nicole out of Toronto, Canada

@nicc.inkk

When doing portrait work the Realistic style is often employed. In working this style artists use fine lines, contrast, shading and 3D to render a realistic representation. Getting proportions and light sources right is always tricky and requires real skill in shading. Typical of the Minimal style, only black ink and gray tones were used in this tattoo. Regarding design, the portrait is nicely centered over the hand while the moose head frames it from below.

@thimo.derks

Imagine how dreamy it would be to have The Man in the Moon right on your hand. Not a little sketch but an intricate portrait surrounded by beautiful detail. This tattoo, done by India Eden of Manchester, England, is a masterful example of the Linework style. Masterful because there’s so much detail here with next to no space to hide any mistakes. The curved lines twist and turn effortlessly while the straight lines are well – Really Straight. Then of course there’s the man’s face with amazing shading rendering it totally realistic. Real skill is needed and expertly demonstrated. This tattoo gives off a great feeling of inner peace.

@india_eden

Characteristic of Japanese style, this tattoo is bold. From the black outlines, shading of the leaves to the choice of bright red for the chrysanthemum, this tattoo attracts attention. That’s a good thing because the design and technique are both amazing. I love how it’s centered right over the wrist with elements moving both upwards onto the forearm and downwards towards the fingers. The dimensions really give this tattoo the importance it’s due. Another outstanding tattoo from Seoul, South Korea by tattoo artist Geum Taena.

@taena.tattoo

This hand tattoo is a great example of Black and Gray style which is bold – but here remains feminine. With this style, typically only black ink is used and then diluted to achieve the different shades. Requiring real skill, the shading here is beautifully done by artist Olivier of Poland.

@olivier.ink

This tattoo takes your breath away. You’re carried away thinking of distant lands and women bedecked in beautiful jewelry. That’s what a great artist using the Ornamental style can do. Like tattoos of the Geometric style, there’s a repetition of geometric shapes; here done in bold black outline. The solid black circles offset the adjacent rectilinear lines creating a nice balance. Extending from the forearm, over the hand, to the small touches added to the tips of the finger tattoos – you and everyone else will get to admire this beauty and show off your own personal style. Artist Name: Emmy Lin Hon of London, England.

@emmy_la_grizzly

Swimming in a circle around this man’s hand, these Koi fish are certain to bring him not only hope but good luck; at least according to Feng Shui. The two fish represent the duality of life and the balance of opposing forces. The beautiful red and black outlines are characteristic of the Linework style. You can’t help but notice the skilled inking of all the lines covering the bodies of the fish.

@vespink2.0_carloforte

This work is so skillfully done that it actually looks like a fine fabric gracing this woman’s hand. Only black ink and gray tones (achieved by watering down the black ink) are used. The shading created by use of the gray tones lends a dreamy feel to the work while the degree of perfectly inked detail makes it exquisite. Great accessory to the rings and mani. If I were in London I’d definitely want to check out this artist.

PS: Don’t you love the fringe aligned and directed towards the fingers. Perfect!

@gb_kim

There’s a lot going on here but it works due to the delicate nature of the tattoo. Fine black lines make up the bulk of the inking giving it a lightness.Then empty space in and around the images creates an airy feel. Together they work beautifully.

@mr.k_tattoo

This beautiful Ornamental tattoo looks like fine jewelry. The central design over the hand is a Mandala characterized by its fractalized, geometric patterns. You can notice a lotus weaved into that portion of the design.

All this is done in Fineline style using thin black lines. There’s a gracefulness to the design achieved by carrying it up onto the forearm and then down towards the fingers with the dangling “jewels” “following the arch of the fingers. Perfect for all to admire. Artist Name: Maria Eduarda Henriques of Lisbon, Portugal

@maria_eduarda_tattoo_artist

Now here’s a classic example of Realistic and Black and Gray styles. There’s no color – just the black ink and tones of gray used for shading. This masterful shading lends perspective and contrast to the portrait rendering it oh so natural – and yes “Real”. You could think it’s a piece of sculpture. Beyond technique, the design itself is awesome. The face is perfectly framed by the contours of the hand while the heavy black shading above it transitions the design onto the arm. Here’s one more reason to visit South Korea.

@jo_ink__

This is a big, bold floral tattoo done in the Blackwork style. As seen here only black ink is used rendered in solid planes. Creatively some elements of Linework style have also been introduced; namely thin black lines. It’s interesting how the peony is centered over the wrist; almost like a corsage. Leaves then unfold onto the hand itself. Beautiful. Artist Name: Sophie Moonbase of Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.

@sophiemoonbasetattoo

If you’re looking for an Ornamental design to adorn your hand, this tattoo’s for you. It’s done in the Fineline style of thin black lines with no addition of color. The central element is a Mandala composed of fractalized, repetitive geometric patterns. Here the Mandala is perfectly positioned over the wrist reminiscent of a cuff. The large ornamental feature on the forearm and the smaller complementary one at the base of the tattoo are like exclamation points to this overall beautiful design. Artist Name: Janinne the Creator.

@janinnethecreator

This woman subtly makes a big statement with her word tattoo. Placed right on the hand for all to see (and read) it’s done in the Text style where the design is only a word or two. The word lends meaning as does the styling of the letters themselves.. Short, sweet and to the point; So Powerful. Artist name: Andres Aguinaga.

@andres__aguinaga_

Who says a rose has to be feminine? Case in-point; this man’s rose tattoo on his hand. Masculine through and through it shows how location and style definitely impart meaning to a design. Although a floral theme is the basis of this tattoo, the use of Black and Gray style imparts a strong masculine mood. Here the black ink is watered down to create different shades. This style is a fantastic showcase of the artist’s shading skills.

@art_vocate_

Who needs jewelry when a beautiful jewed piece is inked right on your hand. This ornamental tattoo is done in the Realistic style and it’s beautiful. Features of this style are seen all around the central stone, from black lines to the subtleties of gray shading. With the play of light created by great shading, the facets of the stone come to life. And if that weren’t enough the design itself is gorgeous. It perfectly fits the contours of the hand while its vertical dimension lends a sense of gracefulness to this lucky lady’s hand. Artist Name: Sarah Thirteen of Bournemouth, UK.

@sarahthirteentattoo

There’s so much going on in this small space; from skulls, to lobsters, to stars and “Magic”, to “Lust” and chains. But it works. Done in Blackwork style there’s bold, heavy black ink only. Yet it remains very feminine. First this woman’s hand is itself beautiful and then there’s the mani – enough said. Artist Name: Luciano Calderon of Barcelona, Spain.

@luxiano31

Done in the Blackwork style this tattoo is inked with bold applications of black ink. Mixing up the theme and style of a tattoo is possible and results in a personalized statement. A butterfly doesn’t have to be done in Fine Line style or Watercolor style rendering it soft and delicate. Here with Blackwork style you get a butterfly that’s bold; not afraid to fly so close to the sun. You Go Girl. Artist Name: Mine Deniz from Turkey.

@minervatattooart

This rose is so feminine even with the absence of any color. Inked in both the Minimal and Black and Gray styles, only black ink is used and then watered down to create the different shades. The subtleness of the shading is exquisite and imparts a delicate feeling. This lightness of feeling is further enhanced by simplicity of design. I love the positioning of this rose which gently fills the space above the fingers. Artist Name: Carl David Scholz of Eilenburg, Germany.

@carldavid_scholz_feinkunst

What do you get when you marry Old School style with Blackwork style? Coolness. Old School, also known as Traditional or American style, typically has bold black outlines but with an accompanying simple color palette. Think unmuted reds, greens, blues. It’s the style that was used for your Grandpa’s sailor-day tattoos. Here with the use of just black ink the style is given a fresh, updated look. Perfect for the modern man. You can see the customer wasn’t happy with just a skull hand tattoo, instead opting to add the butterfly, bird and flower. Artist Name: Liam Alvy of Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom.

@liamalvy

This is a great example of a tattoo done in Fineline style. Thin black lines with no addition of color are used for this minimal design. The central portion with its swirling lines is perfectly framed by the contours of the hand. Then the vertical black line extending onto the ring finger perfectly anchors the tattoo. It’s obviously not going anywhere. Artist Name: Burak Buga of Taksim, Istanbul, Turkey

@buraktattooart

Here’s a pretty example of Text style right on the top of the hand. Just a few words, inked in a dainty style, impart meaning. The orientation of the writing suggests that it’s meant to be enjoyed by this woman whenever she sees it. The use of a little bit of red line also adds visual interest to this word tattoo.  If your first tattoo was going to be on the hand, this would be a safe tattoo design. Artist Name: Lexi Berger from Ohio, USA.

@lexxibergger