Best Styles for Manly Bicep Tattoos
One of the main pros of bicep tattoos is that they usually don’t cause a lot of pain because the skin in this area is quite thick and the bone is not close to the soft tissue. Although pain is not the primary aspect that influences men’s choice of placement, this is definitely a plus, especially taking into account that men tend to go for extensive sketches of complex scenes.
Men’s bicep tattoos can take the form of a stand-alone picture or be incorporated into a full sleeve. Such tattoos can be inspired by a variety of ideas. Most importantly, choose a design and color scheme that will convey the message clearly.
When you choose the size and design, take into account some important aspects:
- Tattoos on the inner biceps can relay a special message. This part of the arm is usually hidden from the others’ eyes, so specialists recommend choosing sketches that reflect your emotions and personal feelings.
- Men’s tattoos around the biceps are known for their great aesthetics and attractiveness. An armband inked on the biceps can depict Celtic patterns, bracelets, or barbed wire. The last often appeals to people who want to build an imaginary wall between themselves and other people to avoid social interactions.
- Tattoos on the outer biceps can be extremely detailed and eye-catching, depending on the chosen style. The biceps is a great canvas for images of animals and biomechanical motifs that symbolize a leader’s qualities, confidence, determination, and courage of the wearer.
Buff biceps can be decorated with an image with heavy outlines that is noticeable from afar. Small designs are usually reserved for wrists, the neck, and fingers, because they might look out of place on a large body part, especially when they feature many lines, figures, and colors.
As for the style of a bicep tattoo, any will do. However, we have compiled the list of styles that work the best on men’s biceps.
Realism
A realistic image on a man’s biceps always looks expensive and stately. Such pictures seem to come to life on the skin even when their design is simple.
To make the best of this style, think of getting one of the following motifs:
- portraits of your loved ones;
- movie characters you look up to;
- pets (as a rule, men prefer dogs);
- elements that are associated with your profession or hobby (for example, weapons);
- wild animals: wolves, bears, tiger, lions;
- birds of prey: hawks, eagles, falcons;
- mythical creatures: dragons, ancient deities, demons.
Fantasy scenes are also popular among men who like to express their valor, resolve, and honor with images of knights or Vikings. Such imagery can be coupled with additional elements: flowers or ornamental designs that make a realistic picture more colorful and deep.
Biomechanical tattoos in the style of realism are also a good option. The most adventurous men could choose sketches that realistically depict various wounds, ‘revealing’ metallic elements or organs.
Realism is not only about color tattoos – black-and-white ones can also look realistic. Skilled artists give their works a three-dimensional look with the help of shading and highlighting.
3D
3D tattoos can also be considered realistic. To make a three-dimensional image, tattoo artists use the following technique:
- draw the outlines of the image in strong and clean lines;
- soften the outlines, blurring angles and lines;
- add shading, creating an illusion of a three-dimensional image.
Men want to get 3D bicep tattoos to express their emotions and convey a certain message. Feel free to choose any sketch for such body art: from animals, birds, women’s silhouettes to landscapes or mythical creatures.
Chicano
The Chicano tattoo style was born from the gang culture and is characterized by monochrome, yet eye-catching designs. Chicano body art on biceps is performed in black and can feature the following elements:
- a word or a phrase (quotes, dates, names);
- items or scenes symbolizing divine justice after death;
- scenes symbolizing the futility and misery of mortal life;
- predominantly gloomy vibes.
A lot of Chicano tattoo designs have something to do with Catholicism. Such body art can also give off gangster vibes featuring playing cards, currency, weapons, or drugs. Santa Muerte, or the Lady of Death, is another common motif. She is depicted as a woman adorned with skulls and ethnic ornaments.
The combination of shades of black and gray, a three-dimensional look, and the abundance of small details make Chicano tattoos look realistic, which is why it is advised to turn to a professional tattoo artist who has already mastered this style.
Black&Gray
The name of this popular style is self-explanatory: it uses only black and gray colors. Bicep body art in this color scheme looks laid-back, yet mysterious, elegant, and manly. Apart from the obvious color scheme, Black&Gray is characterized by:
- the absence of any bright colors;
- three-dimensional images;
- white overtones created with the help of a special pigment.
The quality of a tattoo depends on an artist’s professionalism: they should have an impeccable taste and master shading and lighting techniques. Bicep tattoos that look like a pencil drawing are the most stylish and stately.
New School
The new school style is popular among tattoo salon clients thanks to the unlimited choice of images, colors, and techniques it offers. Priority is given to sophisticated abstract designs and humorous scenes. The more creative a design – the more ‘new school’ it is.
To differentiate between new school and similar styles, pay attention to certain aspects.
- New school sketches have bold, clear outlines that allow recognizing the image from afar.
- Tattoo artists pay close attention to borders between different shades.
Areas of unpainted skin can be as big as those of tattooed skin, which is an obligatory feature of new school.
As a rule, men choose designs of birds, women’s portraits, skulls, angels, and symbols of manliness, for example, watches, crosses, or daggers. The main element often goes together with a floral pattern consisting of bright and meaningful flowers like roses.
Sometimes new school tattoos feature lettering or elements of graffiti art.
Graphic
Graphic tattoos use only black color, which is perfect for men. This style stands out thanks to bold strokes and lines that create contrasting shadows, and heavy outlines.
While it is acceptable to use other shades of black in other all-black tattooing styles, the graphic style allows for using only one. This style works well in combination with dotwork or blackout techniques.
Visually, graphic tattoos resemble engravings, which calls for specific designs. Professionals recommend choosing sketches of flora, fauna, sacred symbols, or weapons.
Lettering
Lettering is a special style of tattooing that consists in decorating skin with words using original fonts and sophisticated contrasting patterns. With the help of lettering, you can get a phrase with a deep personal meaning inked on your body. Letters are inked directly on the biceps. Tattoo artists incorporate their own vision into that of a client.
To make lettering body art on the biceps more attractive and expressive, try adding a background, for example, an ornamental design, or brush lettering. Professionals recommend getting lettering with a personal meaning on the inner biceps instead of flaunting it all the time.
When it comes to manly body art that can accentuate a well-built male body, the choice is huge. If a bicep tattoo is the only one on the arm, think of making it more elaborate, using a suitable style and design.