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Portray your inner art and passion.
If you are an artist who has worked on art as long as life, this tattoo can be a perfect way to proclaim that you have been involved in the art world.
If you love art and have always wanted a tattoo of your favorite painting, this is the best style for you. It is similar to freehand, but is more stylized and usually done in just black ink. Unlike a real painting, there are no colors to worry about! If you decide to get this tattoo on your body it will look as if the artist was trying to recreate a famous painting or image by simplifying the details and creating another one made especially for you.
You can do a painting on any part of your body, the one that many people do is the back piece, but there are actually lots of places you could put it. You could choose a small heart tattoo with a flower blooming out, like Thomas Kinkade paintings are known for. Or, you can go bigger and bolder with a full person and scenery like John William Waterhouse did in his Ariadne and Halcyone paintings!
Other famous artist works to consider include the likes of: Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and more.
For the makeup loving girl, a painting tattoo of your favorite artist’s work is a great way to show your dedication and connect to the art. This is not only an opportunity for some amazing personal expression, but it is also an extremely creative way to make an everlasting statement.
If you like the paintings of great artists and want to show it, a painting tattoo is your best choice. It can decorate not only your body but also express yourself.
Most popular painting tattoo design ideas
Different types of paintings to consider for inspiration: The world of art is a vast and varied landscape, filled with centuries’ worth of masterpieces. It can be difficult to narrow down the list to the most popular paintings of all time; however, there are several that have been widely accepted as some of the most beloved works in history. From classic Renaissance pieces to modern marvels, here are five of the most iconic and influential paintings ever created.
First on my list is Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” (c. 1503-1519). This painting is arguably one of the most famous artworks ever produced. The subject of this masterpiece remains largely unknown; many believe it is a portrait of Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, an Italian noblewoman from Florence married to a wealthy silk merchant named Francesco Del Giocondo. While its origins remain shrouded in mystery, what we do know for sure is that it has become a symbol for Western culture—a representation of beauty, elegance, and grace unsurpassed by any other work in history.
Next up is Rembrandt van Rijn’s “The Night Watch” (1642), which has been hailed as one of his greatest works and one of the finest examples Dutch Baroque art has ever produced. The painting depicts a group of militiamen gathering around their commander before heading out on an expedition. It’s a scene meant to represent Amsterdam’s civic guard during its Golden Age in 1642. This large-scale piece captures light streaming through windows and reflecting off armor, creating a dramatic atmosphere that enthralls viewers from all walks of life even today .
Third on my list is Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” (1889). Painted while living at an asylum near Saint-Remy-de-Provence in France after suffering from mental illness. This incredible artwork piece was inspired by his view out his bedroom window at night. A look towards nearby towns illuminated by stars served as such beautiful inspiraiton. Van Gogh used bold brushstrokes combined with bright colors like blues and yellows. Together, he created this dreamlike landscape that still captivates so many women today .
Fourth comes Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl With A Pearl Earring” (1665). This painting was revolutionary for its time due to its focus on capturing subtle expressions and emotions. Rather than just physical characteristics or mere likenesses, this painting focuses on her mysterious gaze, enigmatic smile, and pearl earring glistening against her skin. Vermeer creates an image capable evoking strong feelings within each viewer.
Last but not least another favorite of mine is Pablo Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” (1907). This painting marked Picasso’s transition into Cubism. It was revolutionary for its boldness in challenging traditional painting techniques. It was something quite daring for its time period – making this work particularly noteworthy. Don’t be too afriad to go bold with your tattoo art. Be like Pablo, be brave!
This tattoo has many different parts of the color wheel, but they all are of a muted brightness, but this rectangular piece definitely looks like they just copy and pasted this classical piece right onto their arm!
Using the same color piece as the real life masterpiece, and the same brush techniques, this tattoo looks as though the larger scale masterpiece was shrunk down and attached right on!
Having lots of symmetry by having this piece of art be a circle, as well as having the bridge be the beginning of a circle, there is shape consistency throughout the whole piece!
Embracing femininity, this piece of replica art has amazing female anatomy form, as well as having a classic, timeless portal of the original painting!
With glorious yellows and oranges, and also having magnificent contrast with the darker more shadowy tones in the piece. And with the shape and size, it is just perfect for the forearm!
Sticking with the original painting inspiration for this piece, the color palette is immediately recognizable! And I wonder if they used a heart shape for a deeper meaning?!
Using the background skin for the canvas, instead of having aborder ending to this tattoo, taken from the classic Alice in Wonderland this scene is of Alice painting the flowers on wonderland!
This piece is inspired by one of the best known paintings by one of the best known artists, a classical piece has been turned into a fun and innovative tattoo, ready to be shown to the world!
This tattoo has portions of the art going outside what would be the traditional edges. The two people in the front give the illusion of coming towards you, and also are larger than the others. This automatically draws your eyes to them!
This piece is not done in a traditional shape, Very innovative! This piece is in the style of a garden decoration. Which matches the art itself, of trees and rose bushes! The rose bushes also give the appearance of spilling out of the pot!
The perfect shape and size for the forearm, this piece of art has one main focus. And that is the two young lovers in front of the stone wall. With the different contrasting colors in the blue and red, this piece definitely has some amazing variety!
Using the melting clock to add motion, this piece gives the illusion of clocks melting off of the parameters and into the surrounding skin!
Mixing it up with an oval shape, this piece has many levels of depth, and many different shades of gray, orange, blues, and browns!
Keeping it simple with black and white, this piece focuses on shading and texture for definition between elements!
Using warm tones to create the skin tone and hair color of the women, this piece contrasts itself perfectly! Having cool tines as the background, and giving the woman eyeshadow that is green, this piece has perfect contrast!
Having a black background can be perfect to make the vibrant colors in the flowers pop! This piece has excellent shading done in the green vines of the flowers, to add the definition!
Using muted tones, this piece is perfect if you love the feeling of looking into the tattoo through a other-wordly portal!
Keeping slim, simple shape, this piece can be expertly placed on the forearm! This rectangular sunflower work of art is perfect for those who look towards the sun!
This piece uses realism and reflection to utilize consistency in design, and color palette! There is also a color palette that is true to nature!
This piece has an appearance of almost disintegrating, or breaking apart towards the bottom. This piece also uses warm tones, giving it a warmer, more cozy feeling! And then there is plenty of opportunity left for the imagination to ponder Who are these two people?
A true work of art, this piece looks like it was painted by Van Goh himself! Using the same style to paint and give the tattoo motion and definition, this piece is perfect for someone who loves the classic tattoos!
This vintage style woman is the perfect piece to represent femininity, and to show off a love of all things classic, this piece perfectly represents all things classic!
This piece is mainly earthy tones, except for the lips! Those are a bright and vibrant rose red that have a beautiful contrast to the rest of the piece!
Using small, individual different strokes of different colors to create the skin tone, and add in incredible texture!
Using an innovative way to present this art, the art seems as though it is made of paint dollops on the skin! And these dollops present classical painting!
This piece is the perfect size to fit delicately on the bicep, and to add just something extra to your summer season wardrobe!
Appearing slightly blurred, this piece looks like it was taken right off of the museum wall, shrunk down, and stuck right onto the forearm!
Using the paint smear appearance to outline this tattoo, thi piece uses a cooler color palette to truly represent this classic piece!
Getting original with this design, this piece the paw prints that are walking away from the paint, this piece can be used to commemorate your furry friend, or as a memorial to your four legged family member!
Looking 3-D and shiny, these pieces have dimension around the border of the paint smear, and the shading truly makes this piece look like you could reach out and touch it!
Using three different sections to create this whole tattoo, this piece has separate pieces, but the tattoo is done in a way that allows them to come together perfectly!
Finding a creative and innovative way to include many different classic art pieces, this collage of art is a very cool way of adding multiple pieces, connecting them, and making them look impeccable!
One of the most recognizable pieces of work, this tattoo really does absolutely astonishing justice to the masterpiece it is inspired by!
Another way to collage many different and historical works of art, this tattoo allows to keep the pieces separate, so they can still shine, while simultaneously connecting them with the color palettes!
Having the swirls in the sky cross into the coexisting piece, this piece is some of history’s most famous art, existing in perfect harmony together!
This rose is larger than the two men standing in the lower right hand corner; therefore, making it the centerpiece of this masterpiece! And using realism to add the details, this piece makes for a perfect forearm tattoo!
Placed expertly on the elbow, thi piece has a more monotone palette, giving it a somber feel. And the artist has left plenty of room for the mind to ponder about the green apple.
This natural color palette uses different shades of greens and blues, allowing for the consistent, but ever so changing colors that give definition, as well as adding many different color varieties!
Having a fading look on the left end of the smear, this piece focuses on the stars and the moon, allowing for the brightest colors to truly pop!
Using different, famous pieces, delicately placed on the wrist, and having the same colors used throughout both pieces, these pieces are perfect to bring out the best in each other!
Painting tattoo meanings and symbolism:
What do painting themed designs mean and symbolize?: Painted art is one of the oldest forms of visual expression, used to evoke emotions and convey messages in a powerful and often symbolic way. From prehistoric cave art to modern abstract paintings, women have been using paint to tell stories, express their thoughts and feelings, and even influence social change.
Paintings are more than just aesthetically pleasing visuals – they can also be filled with meaning. For centuries, artists have used painting as a means for conveying important messages about the world around them. These messages are often communicated through the use of symbolism – giving an object or idea a specific meaning that is different from its literal interpretation. Symbolic works of art allow viewers to interpret them in an individualized way, allowing everyone who looks at it to gain something different from the experience.
Female painting tattoo designs are more popular than ever as a way for women to communicate ideas without relying on words alone. Historically, cave paintings and hieroglyphs were used to communicate spiritual beliefs or tell stories without language barriers. While Renaissance painters such as Michelangelo employed classical symbolism in religious works like The Last Judgment or The Creation of Adam. Similarly, Baroque era painters like Caravaggio would use dramatic lighting effects and exaggerated poses in their religious pieces for added emphasis on certain aspects of the story.
In addition to religion-based works, many other kinds of meanings can be found within painted pieces which serve as metaphors for other things outside themselves. For example, French Impressionist Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series depicted his own garden pond with water lilies growing on its surface. Yet, this particular subject matter had deeper connotations beyond simply showing off his garden. By depicting nature’s cycles of growth and decay, he was able to make broader statements about life itself as well as woman’s place within it.
Modern abstract expressionists such as Jackson Pollock further explored symbolic elements within their works by using color theory (the relationship between colors) and gestural brush strokes (the movements made when applying paint) .Together, these represent various themes such as deep emotional or inner turmoil without having any figurative representation whatsoever.
British artist Banksy’s graffiti-style murals provide commentary on current issues such poverty or war through cleverly designed images that speak louder than words ever could. Implicitly communicating ideas through visuals rather than verbally, allows artists greater freedom. And let’s face it, tattoos are the ultimate form of expression.
