Dotwork is one of my favorite tattoo styles and, just because of this, I think it is necessary to do this guide!
On this dotwork tattoo guide, you are going to learn about:
- What is a dotwork tattoo.
- Where do dotwork tattoos come from in art.
- And, of course, a lot of different tattoo designs so you can get inspired.
Let’s go!
Table of Contents
What is a dotwork tattoo?
Well, dotwork tattoos (or dotwork technique) are tattoos made by very small dots, creating a detailed design.
It can be just dotwork in the complete design, or just a part of the complete tattoo, so you can have tattoos 100% in dotwork style, or just a mix.
The point is to avoid lines or blackouts and get focused on making a lot of tiny points, that’s all, really!
Usually, Dotwork Tattoos Are In Black Ink
Of course, you can have a dotwork tattoo in every color you need, but, most of the time, a dotwork tattoo is related to black or gray ink.
But, as I always say, do not get into this “the most of times” and, if you want a tattoo design in red, or blue or whatever color you want in dotwork, I’m sure it’s going to perform perfect.
Dotwork Make Shadowing To The Next Level
One of the most common things in dotwork tattoo is to make the shadowing work in a tattoo style, and it gets terrific if the tattoo artist can do this dotwork part correctly.
This is because, you know, when you have to ink only with dots, you can mix the different density for all the points to get the perfect effect.
There Are Some Key Considerations For Dotwork Tattoos
Dotwork technique are one of the more specials in tattoo world, and here are the top considerations for me:
- The first one: Dotwork is less painful than linework or blackout, and I can tell you because I have a dotwork style tattoo on my skin.
- Secondly: When you get a dotwork tattoo, there are a lot of tiny points, so the time to get the job done is more. Dotwork tattoo style is more time-consuming than traditional linework.
- Finally, aftercare is very important in every tattoo, but it is even more in dotwork, because you want to prevent fading or point disappearing.
Where Do Dotwork Style Come From?
A lot of guides tell you dotwork came from pointillism, in fact, there are some people calling pointillism tattoo instead of dotwork style.
But, the history is always more complicated than this, let me explain it:
Yes, Dotwork Tattoo Style Come From Pointillism, BUT
Pointillism is a painting technique from the late 19th century, and it was very popular in the 20th century too, and this is fantastic.
Some key painters in pointillism, for example, were George Seurat, Paul Signac, Camille Pissarro or Albert Dubois-Pillet, if you want to investigate more.
The point with pointillism (nice construction, isn’t it?) were the painters using tiny points to get a complete painting that, if you view it from a distance, the composition makes all the sense.
And yes, this is what a dotwork tattoo is, but you cannot say dotwork only came from pointillism, because it can be very “Western-centric”.
Dotwork All Around The Globe
One of the most ancient ways to get tattooed was in Polynesian style, and they cannot do more than points in the classical way to get inked.
So, a lot of centuries before European pointillism, Samoan people got dotwork tattoos.
Moreover, in Australia too.
But pointillism or dotwork is present in other cultures, like in Buddhism or Hinduism Mandalas, or in Henna (Mehndi) in the muslim world.
Let’s Say Dotwork Is a Global Trend
So, let me say just something:
Yes, pointillism artwork is a main part of modern dotwork tattoo, but the influences from the ancient cultures in tattoo I think it is very strong too.
Some Tattoo Designs For You
And now, let’s dive a little bit into some dotwork tattoos for you!
Geometric & Dotwork Neck Tattoo
As you may see on this guide, it is very usual to mix dotwork with geometrical tattoo and, in fact, in the very beginning of tattooing, dotwork was very related with sacred geometry ones in Asia, so it makes all the sense.
As you can see, this is a neck and back tattoo with a very nice geometrical design, white ink for the upper detail, some blackout and, in the center of the composition, a wonderful dotwork.
This tattoo is done by Abián Lamotta, a terrific tattoo artist from Spain working in Zurich, Switzerland, at Saecred Seed tattoo.
Geometric & Dotwork Leg Sleeve Tattoo
As you can see, this is another geometric tattoo, this time in a leg sleeve, with a lot of nice dotwork.
In fact, this time the tattoo has only these two tattoo styles, just geometric and dotwork, nothing more, nothing less.
This terrific tattoo is done by Blackdot Tattooart, a very talented tattoo artist working in Stuttgart (Germany) and Mallorca (Spain), very focused on this dotwork with geometric tattoo that I love.
Dotwork & Geometric Chest Tattoo
Yes, another geometric tattoo for this dotwork guide, and another terrific tattoo, isn’t it?
This time, the tattoo is about some geometric patterns in the chest, with a center element going to both sides, ending in the shoulders, with a lot of dotwork in all the tattoo, from one part to another.
I do love the harmony of the tattoo and the way the design is integrated with the shape of the body, a really nice work.
The tattoo is done by Kryzstok Krajewski, a very talented tattoo artist based in Nice and Easy Tattoo, in Warsaw, Poland, and I think you should follow him.
Dotwork Hip Tattoo With Geometry
Big and bold one, isn’t it?
This time, the tattoo design is located at the hip and leg, and, one more time, the tattoo just mixes dotwork and geometry to make something unique, bold and very eye-catching.
And, one more time, the key points to make it happen is the perfect finish of all the geometric stuff and to integrate the tattoo design with the shape of the body.
This tattoo is done by Ika Rial, an astonishing woman tattoo artist based in Villafranca del Penedés, in Spain, owner of Ekura’s Tattoo. Ika Rial is very focused on geometry and dotwork, and I should follow her, of course!
Complete Leg Sleeve Dotwork Tattoo
This is a complete leg sleeve tattoo with a lot of elements.
Of course, the main tattoo style for this composition is dotwork but, as you can see, there are many others like botanical, for example, and some linework.
I do like the way the elements are mixed one with another, giving the composition some 3D effect and tons of personality.
This masterpiece is done by Laure Conzales, another terrific woman tattoo artist you may follow. She is based in Little Pond Studio, in Toronto, Canada, and she is focused on geometry, floral and ornamental tattoos.
Dotwork Shading Tattoo
I do like this tattoo because I think it has a lot of personality, to be honest.
The tattoo itself can be considered simple, but, you know, making something unique with a simple design is something only for the very good ones.
This time, the tattoo is something like an illustration tattoo, but I want you to notice the shadowing in this tattoo, all done in dotwork style, and the mix between very good (and thick) linework.
The tattoo is done by Robo, a wonderful tattoo artist founder of Youngsterz Tattoo Shops, in Oria and Mesagne (Italy).
Botanical Dotwork Tattoo In Color
Something completely new for you:
A dotwork tattoo, but in colors and in a botanical style, so you can see the possibilities for dotwork tattoo style!
I do love this tattoo because of the harmony and delicateness you can feel with it, and, moreover, this tattoo has no lines at all, just dots and nothing more, and I think it’s beautiful.
This magnificent tattoo is done by another magnificent woman tattoo artist, she is called Ola, and she is based in Warsaw, Poland.
Sacred Geometry Dotwork Hand And Arm Tattoo
Nice one, isn’t it?
This is what happens when you mix dotwork, blackwork and sacred geometry for an arm and a hand, and the result is just perfect and astonishing.
This masterpiece is done by Juan Sisu, a wonderful tattoo artist based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is focused in geometry style with black ink, and he got a lot of spectacular tattoo designs at his Instagram account.
Small Dotwork Arm Tattoo
There are plenty of big tattoos on this guide, and here you can see that you can have a small dotwork tattoo, but unique and perfect.
This tattoo is called “The Wind” and you may feel it, isn’t it?
The tattoo is done with black dotwork perfectly done by Yannis, with the blue circle as a remarkable design.
I do love it.
The tattoo is done by Yannis Leonardos, another wonderful tattoo artist, this time, based in Greece, you should follow.
Dotwork Lighthouse Tattoo
Another fantastic way to see than dotwork is much more than sacred geometry (and I do love sacred geometry, of course).
This time, you can see a lighthouse tattoo with a lot of harmony and personality in an arm, with only dotwork and some lines in the upper part.
As you can see, the way you play with the dot density makes the shadowing technique something unique, and this is the way.
This tattoo is done by Velco Tattoo, based in Montreal, and Velco Tattoo has its own personal way to tattoo, its own personal tattoo style, so you may follow the Instagram account.
Dotwork Tattoo Have A Lot Of Possibilities
As you can see, dotwork style have a lot of possibilities, from black dots to colored ones, and from sacred geometry to realistic designs or shadowing.
The point is to pick an experienced and good tattoo artist and move into it.
I hope you have enjoyed this guide about dotwork tattoos!
Some FAQs For Dotwork Tattoos
Are Dotwork tattoos more painful?
Not at all, in fact, dotwork tattoos are less painful than linework or blackout, because the tattoo machine is not in contact with the skin all the time.
What is the meaning of the dotwork tattoo?
Dotwork tattoos have no meaning by themself, it depends on what do you get inked and, from sacred geometry to realism, there are a lot of possibilities.
Do dotwork tattoos last longer?
It depends on some key points, like the tattoo aftercare or the tattoo artist, so you can say dotwork and linework tattoos last the same.
Is dotwork tattoo more expensive?
Well, dotwork tattoo is more time-consuming than linework, so you cannot cover the same in a session, so you can say dotwork tattoo is a more expensive than blackout
