Freehand Abstract Tattoos Are Truly One-Of-A-Kind — What To Know

Although the majority of tattoo artists would prefer to do something fun and unique, every studio has a handful of books of standard flash tattoos that clients can choose from. These books contain the most typical of tattoos: generic flowers, tribal armbands, that one flash tattoo everyone has right now, and so on down the list. While there's nothing wrong with these tattoos — some people love to keep their ink super traditional — they're missing personality and creativity.

Let's say you wanted something truly special, a tattoo that was the very embodiment of everything you are, one that perfectly follows the lines of your body just as much as the lines of your personality — what would you do? You'd get a freehand abstract tattoo, of course. Unlike conventional tattoos, freehand abstract tattoos don't use a stencil. Instead, the artwork is drawn directly on the body before tattooing, therefore making it the very definition of one-of-a-kind.

If you're someone who doesn't roll with popular tattoo styles and wants some ink that's completely original and specific to who you are, then freehand abstract tattoos are probably for you. But before you waltz into the nearest tattoo studio requesting one, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Freehand tattoos of any kind, abstract or otherwise, are the ultimate collaboration between the client and the tattoo artist. You've chosen an artist to create something new and original for you, and are allowing them to draw it directly on your body. This requires trust on both parts: you need to trust the artist and their work, just as much as they need to trust that you'll speak up if you don't like something.

But this collaboration isn't just about the two people involved, but the body and tattoo, too. Artists enjoy freehand tattoos because it allows for greater creative freedom and when the body is used as a canvas, the results are natural, fluid, and more harmonious. "When I first started tattooing freehand on customers I already knew, it felt so liberating. Drawing onto paper is never going to replicate the form of a body," tattoo artist Ashley Tyson told Stories & Ink. "So it's like an exchange between you and them, I draw onto their body as they tell me what they are feeling. That's how I've created some of my best work." It's a complete integration of art and body becoming one, while being guided by trust, communication, and openness. In other words, if you and your tattoo artist aren't feeling each other's energy correctly, pushing to make it happen for the sake of getting a tattoo is going to be a grueling experience for everyone involved.

Every tattoo artist has their own style. Some prefer heavy lines, traditional images, and lots of colors, while others are more into minimalistic images that are almost entirely black. That being said, if you've envisioned a light, whimsical freehand tattoo that sort of dances about your back and shoulders, you don't want to go to the artist who clearly prefers (and excels in) heavier, more colorful work. Instead, make an appointment with the artist whose art is more aligned with what you're hoping the final product will look like. But even then, after meeting with the artist, you (or they) may not feel that you two are the right fit for a freehand collaboration — and that's okay! It just means you need to continue your search for the right fit; your glass slipper, so to speak. In time you'll find the right artist. Just don't rush the process.