fineline tattoo
and it's types of styles
Fineline tattooing has never been more popular. You may have heard terms like single needle, 3rl, micro realism, stipple, minimal and linework tattoos. We break down some of the substyles within style and give you the tattoo language to talk about you dream tattoo idea.
Micro Realism fineline tattoo
what is micro realism?
micro realism involves relatively small tattoo designs rendered as realistically as possible. Typically done using either single needle or 3rl tattoo needles the shading is often done with more of a stippling effect that the smooth black and grey used in more traditional realism techniques. When done correctly it can have a stunning effect while allowing the artist to put a lot of work into a small area while still doing minimal damage to the skin. This technique can take a significant amount of time but will allow for a better heal due to the lack of trauma to the skin. This is very important in micro realism as a hard heal can lead to detail falling out and the design loosing it's strength. We recomend working with an experienced professional with examples of healed work for this reason. Logan Square Tattoo artists Dima, Gifford and Allie and pablo all have their own unique takes and significant experience in this style.
Linework fineline Tattoos
Linework tattoos use just lines to create the designs. They usually don't have any shading and stick to just black linework. The fineline tattoo version of this uses a very thin line, usually single needle or a 3rl or 5rl needle, which is the number of needle points used at a time to create the tattoo. T0 get the extremely finelines and minimal tattoos that artists such as Kae are known for, a very thin needle gauge is used. using these kinds of needles require an exceptional amount of skill in order to keep the line consistent and make sure it will heal and settle in properly. artists Cori, kae, allie and pablo specialize in this sort of fineline tattoo work
Dotwork Fineline Tattoo
Many fineline tattoo artist will use a technique called stipple shading, or dotwork. this involves using a series of small but visible dots to create the shading, texture and details. This is similar to the technique used in much micro realism work. Heavy stipple shading tends to give a more illustrative look to the tattoo. Resident artists Allie Sider, Caroline Vale and Gifford Kasen have both specialized in this type of stipple shading in their own unique way
Our Role in the Rich History of Chicago Tattoo Studios
Chicago's tattoo heritage is iconic, starting with Cliff Raven's Chicago Tattoo Company and evolving through pioneers like Guy Aitchison. Logan Square Tattoo, established in 2014 by Gifford Kasen, plays a vital role in this legacy. Located in Chicago's vibrant Logan Square, our studio offers custom tattoos seven days a week. We encourage new clients to explore our artists' portfolios and arrange in-person consultations. Embracing the evolving art form, our team includes diverse full-time and guest artists, infusing new styles into the community. For over a decade, we've celebrated Chicago's tattoo culture, honoring tradition while pushing boundaries for future creativity.
