Celtic Warrior Leg Tattoo

The largest continuous knot work pattern I have ever done! One weave, morphed to span from the top of the foot all the way up into the middle thigh. They say the Celts believed showing their tattoos in battle served to confuse their enemies, allowing them to be easily conquered. This warrior is ready!

To read more about how this kind of custom sleeve tattoo is accomplished, visit the Full Knotwork Sleeves page.

Celtic Warrior Leg Tattoo by Pat Fish

3 Views of the Celtic Warrior Leg Tattoo by Pat Fish

Ivy Moon Tattoo

Today a woman who had gone to the National Tattoo Convention last month and attended my lecture there came in for a lower back tattoo. It needed to cover up an unsuccessful "removal" of an old tattoo that had left her with keloid scarring, so the ivy swirls and tendrils are arranged to cover up the raised scars. The result is a feminine embellishment that banishes regret.

Ivy Moon Tattoo by Pat FIsh

Family Animals Celtic Half Sleeve

Today was the final session on an ambitious piece.  I designed this Celtic half-sleeve for a client who is a family man, as a way to visually represent his love for his children and his role as their protector.  The Celtic dog, Celtic cat, and Nordic dragon represent his three kids, and he is the owl with his wings spread to encircle and shelter them within his embrace.

Family Animals Celtic Half Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Cross of St. John Tattoo

Today's client added an Eastern Orthodox christogram, "Jesus Christ Conquers," to a traditional Celtic wheel cross to represent both his Celtic heritage and his faith.  The large size he chose allowed me to render it in precise detail. Using a combination of line, soft shading, and a dotted background gives depth and dimensionality with the use of only black ink.

Celtic Cross of St. John Tattoo by Pat Fish

The intricate knotwork of the Cross of Saint John continues into the central element, in an unusual example of a completely joined knotted pattern cross.