The inside of Patricia’s bicep was the final section of this sleeve. By then, flowers, geometry, a dog portrait and a glowing lantern had already given the arm its character. This last piece needed to belong to all of them.
A face surrounded by color
I brought a black and gray portrait together with vivid poppy flowers, dripping color and fiery abstract textures. The portrait gives the composition a quieter presence. The surrounding color brings movement and contrast.
That relationship is what draws me to combining realism and surrealism. A recognizable face gives you somewhere to begin. The elements around it can take the image somewhere less expected.
The whole sleeve matters
This was the fourth chapter of Patricia’s sleeve, so every transition had work to do. The final section had to connect with the contrasts and shapes already established across the arm.
A large composition gives each image its own place, while asking it to contribute to the whole. Here, the portrait and poppy bring the sleeve’s realism, abstract movement and bold color into one final conversation.
See the four chapters together
The film above follows the final section through timelapse and real time footage. You can also follow Patricia’s sleeve from The Art of Contrast, through the dog portrait and lantern, to this ending.
If you have several images in mind for your own tattoo, we can explore what connects them. That connection is often where the composition begins.
Keep exploring
The Art of Contrast: where Patricia’s sleeve began
A dog portrait finds its place in a full sleeve