Awesome Tattoos

This unconventional animated Christmas film starts out with Santa Claus getting sent to prison for breaking and entering. When he encounters one of the many naughty kids that he gave a lump of coal, he turns to a new and unexpected kind of gift-giving behind bars. Written, directed, illustrated, and animated by Patrick Ward.

Tattoos are such a visual art form that we don’t think much about the sounds that go along with their creation. This energetic short film by Gilad and Stav of BONAMAZE brings tattoo artistry to life in a new way, combining imagery with the sounds of designing, prepping, and inking. They previously captured The Sound of Skateboarding with the help of Tony Hawk.

Laurence King Publishing’s beautifully illustrated mini set of tarot cards by artist Oliver Munden and author Diana McMahon Collis features vintage tattoo designs in a convenient palm-sized deck. The 78 tarot cards are inspired by traditional iconography and come with a how-to intro to conduct your own readings and interpret the cards.

Based on the autobiography of Jonathan Shaw (son of bandleader Artie Shaw and starlet Doris Doling), Scab Vendor examines the renegade life of now-legendary tattoo artist who plied his illicit trade in NYC before it was legal. Longtime clients like Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, and Jim Jarmusch spill the dirt. Drops on VOD 7.27.24.

Inspired by Smarter Every Day’s slow-motion tattoo video, The Slow Mo Guys wanted to get an even more detailed view of what’s going on when a tattoo gun lays down its ink. With the help of their Laowa probe lenses, they captured some incredible macro footage of ink being injected into a sliver of ballistic gel, which they used as an analog for human flesh.

Artist Mimi Kirchner makes one-of-a-kind fabric toys that are way too nice to let your kids play with. Among her works is this jolly old-timey fellow with a handlebar mustache and chinoiserie tattoos. Dressed in striped pants with a red belt, the 22-1/2″ tall figure would look great standing watch in your living room.

Montréal tattoo artist Phil Berge creates animated tattoos by inking individual frames then photographing them in sequence. His most incredible work so far is this 76 tattoo scene based on Max and Dave Fleischer’s 1933 classic Betty Boop: Snow White, featuring Cab Calloway. His Simpsons sequence is awesome too.

French knifemaker Deejo offers a line of folding knives with blade designs inspired by tattoo art. They offer a variety of customization options, including blade image, weight, finish, handle material, and personalization. They also sell a version that lets you engrave your own design.

Tattoo Stories is a party game that gives players three minutes to doodle a design for a tattoo based on a selection of attributes. Each artist pitches their tattoo to the customer, who gets to judge and choose the winner of the round. For 4 to 6 players ages 12 and up.

Min Zumi, guest artist at Sydney, Australia’s Authentink Tattoo Studio creates incredible 3-dimensional designs that look as if they were embroidered onto a patch, then slapped onto the skin. The intricate stitching details are amazing, as is the perfect drop shadow effect.

Tattoo artist Andres Vrontis creates amazing images by generating ASCII computer art, then meticulously inking each and every tiny character in black to create the illusion of a greyscale image. We’re getting a hand cramp just watching him work.

You’d like to think that the person who’s about to permanently ink your body would have double-checked their drawing, Inked’s interview reel with 14 tattooers talking about their worst mistakes is proof positive you should check the stencil 10 times before they start.

Korean startup SketchOn’s gadget can print skin-safe temporary tattoos just by running it over a body part. Images can be selected from a library or uploaded from a smartphone app. At this point the device is only available for rental usage at events.

Artist Lise Grossmann of Lily Mandrill offers hand drawn portrait temporary tattoos. You submit a photo and she’ll turn it into a tattoo. They makes for a perfect gift or party favor for special occasions. Bulk orders are accepted.

Tattoo artist Georgie Williams specializes in making all black tattoos inspired by circuit boards and technology in general. From single lines to thick blocks of ink, her surprisingly versatile style looks like the mark of a society from the far future.

Fans of American traditional tattoos and pop culture will love these awesomely illustrated prints inspired by everything from Taxi Driver to Totoro. LA artist Quyen Dinh of Parlor Tattoo Prints also offers designs on t-shirts and a limited-edition wall calendar.