Tattoo Styles Offered at Outrider Tattoo

& available artists who offer each

Black and Grey Realism

If you've ever looked at a tattoo and thought it looked more like a photograph than a drawing, you've probably seen black and grey realism.

This style uses only black ink, along with different shades of grey, to create images that look as realistic as possible. Instead of bold outlines or bright colours, the focus is on soft shading, contrast, and fine detail. The result is artwork with depth and dimension that appears lifelike on the skin.

Black and grey realism can be used for almost any subject, including portraits of loved ones or pets, wildlife, flowers, landscapes, religious imagery, sculptures, and most custom designs. Because the style relies on contrast and shadows, rather than colour, it has a classic, timeless look that suits both large statement pieces and smaller, detailed tattoos.

American Traditional

American traditional is one of the most recognizable tattoo styles in the world. With deep roots in tattoo history, designs use strong lines, limited colour palettes, and minimal shading to create artwork that stands out and stays easy to read, even as it ages. Unlike realism, which aims to look like a photograph, American traditional tattoos are intentionally simple and graphic. 

One of the reasons American traditional has stood the test of time are the bold lines and solid colour saturation help these tattoos hold their shape and remain vibrant for years.