Neo Traditional & Watercolor Tattoo Artist in Wisconsin
How to Get Tattooed By Tyranicorn
- Take a look at my portfolio (below) and see if my art meshes with the style of tattoo that you are looking for.
- Review my "No List" to see that your project will align with what I do.
- Consider reading my FAQs to answer any questions you may have about pricing/tattoo process.
- Look online for reference photos for tattoos you like/want for yourself, or check out my available premade designs for discounted tattoos!
- Have a deposit ready (deposits range from $50-250).
- Send me a consultation form to book an appointment!
What Tyranicorn Specializes In
My main tattoo styles are neo traditional, watercolor, and color realism. Each style expands to include subcategories such as: glitter tattoos, galaxy and space tattoos, and thick graffiti linework. I specialize in brightly colored tattoos using a rainbow color pallet. Each tattoo has the option to use black linework, colored linework, or no linework at all. My go-to style blends black traditional linework, neo traditional colors, color realism features (furs, textures, etc.), and watercolor backgrounds. However, I use a combination of the styles listed below to create unique tattoos for each of my clients.
The Difference in Styles
Tattoo Subjects I Love
All artists feel inspired by some things more than others. Things I really like to tattoo include:
Where to Put Your Next Tattoo
When considering getting a tattoo from me, forearms, calves, upper arms, shins, thighs, upper arms, back, shoulder, and chest piece projects take priority. However, I am also always down to do a silly/funny butt tattoo, if you want one. If you are looking to get your first tattoo and aren't sure where to put it, some of the easiest placements are on upper outer arms and outer thighs. Areas with thinner skin, close to bone, or on areas that don't see a lot of pain (inner arms, inner thighs) tend to be more sensitive.
The Difference in Styles
- Traditional Tattoos: American traditional tattoos are best described as "Sailor Jerry" pieces and have the look of the "Ed Hardy" brand. They typically use thick black linework and flat colors: reds, yellows, greens, blues, and tans. Most subjects include roses, anchors, pinup girls, and old-school skulls and cross bones. These tattoo styles do not have a lot of dimension and traditionally have a 2D look.
- Neo Traditional Tattoos: Neo traditional tattoos incorporate modern elements such as bright colors, shading, line weight variations, and layered compositions. These tattoos generally have thick and thin line weight in different colors (not just plain black linework) to focus your eye on multiple elements of the piece. Neo traditional designs tend to be animals, flowers, and people. Unlike traditional tattoos, the shading used in neo traditional pieces makes these tattoos pop more, giving them more layer and dimension.
- Cartoon and Anime Tattoos: Cartoon style and anime tattoos are a combination of neo traditional and illustrative tattoos. They are based off of photographic ideas (like movies, shows, books, comics, and manga). Based on the cartoon or anime there could be thick or thin linework, colored or black linework, shading or flat color. There is no "one-size fits all" look to these tattoos - a combination of styles and characteristics must be used to recreate each individual character. Some cartoons and anime pieces are textured and need to have more realistic shading or features included. Some characters are meant look like a traditional coloring book with a full rainbow pallet of colors, and others are meant to look super detailed and 3D. To be sure you find the best artist for these styles, look at the portfolio of each artist and make sure they have a lot of examples of the "look" you are seeking, or you could end up being disappointed when you get the final result.
- Realism Tattoos: Photo realism tattoos are meant to be as close to a photograph as possible. Rather than creating artwork, most of these tattoos are built on real photos. Most of these tattoos are based on people, celebrities, plants, or animals. Unlike other styles, most realism artists do not use linework in their pieces or use a very thin needle to create crisp edges. There is a lot of texture included in these styles from fur to clothing, wrinkles and veins.
- Illustrative Tattoos: Similar to realism tattoos, illustrative tattoos are based off of a photograph. These tattoos are typically based off of illustrations or sketches in a book. Illustrative tattoos tend can either use black linework or colored linework, however the needles used are thinner to make more of the affect a graphite pencil would use, rather than a sharpie or a marker to hold the design together.
- Watercolor Tattoos: Watercolor tattoos use a lot of color layering, blending, and hand-made texturing. They are meant to look like paint brush strokes, watercolor on paper, paint splatters/spills, and abstract art. Watercolor tattoos are not meant to be watered out ink. Instead, watercolor tattoos are several variations of colored ink, for example: 3 reds, 4 pinks, and a white could make up one singular blotch or blob. There are a wide variation of watercolor tattoo styles and artists. Some use no linework at all, some use traditional black linework, some use super thin sketch style linework, and some only use watercolor as a background to other styles of tattoos. This particular style has so much variety that it is essential that you find an artist who can replicate exactly what you are looking for. The more reference photos you supply, the easier it is for us to understand what type of watercolor you want.
- Glitter Tattoos: Glitter tattoos use pointillism and dot work to create a "glitter" affect. Glitter can be done in two ways: as dots and stipple shading on plain skin or as dots added over top of an existing tattoo. The main difference is that adding dots over an existing tattoo creates an overlay affect, where it lightens (or darkens depending on the color ink used) the existing piece making it look more like stars, freckles, or dots. Glitter done as stipple shading and pointillism on plain skin will give more of a confetti, sparkle, or reflective look to a piece.
Tattoo Subjects I Love
All artists feel inspired by some things more than others. Things I really like to tattoo include:
- Cartoon and video game characters (90's and early 2000's cartoon characters, Disney, adult cartoons, video game characters, movie characters)
- Kawaii anime and cross-over pieces (One Piece vs. Chainsaw Man, Pokémon, Sailor Moon, Demon Slayer)
- Fantasy critters and creatures (dinosaurs, unicorns, dragons)
- Creepy-cute "girly" things (pastel goth, witchy subjects, kawaii ghouls, demonic animals)
- Galaxy, watercolor, tie dye, sunset, and splatter/splash backgrounds
- Harry Potter and wizardry themed pieces
- Molecules, astrology, horoscopes, symbols, and representations
- Holiday themes (Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day)
- Mushrooms, crystals, flowers, and leaves
- Under the sea (jellyfish, seahorses, starfish, seashells, mermaids, and bubbles)
- Outer space (aliens, planets, stars)
- EDM logos and trippy raver pieces (ask about UV ink!)
- Candies, suckers, gummy bears, cupcakes, and other desserts
- Subtle BDSM and kink-friendly pieces (paddles, whips, cuffs)
- 8-bit and pixel art (Minecraft, Stardew Valley, perlers, sprites)
- Stickers, patches, embroidery
- Animals and paw prints
Where to Put Your Next Tattoo
When considering getting a tattoo from me, forearms, calves, upper arms, shins, thighs, upper arms, back, shoulder, and chest piece projects take priority. However, I am also always down to do a silly/funny butt tattoo, if you want one. If you are looking to get your first tattoo and aren't sure where to put it, some of the easiest placements are on upper outer arms and outer thighs. Areas with thinner skin, close to bone, or on areas that don't see a lot of pain (inner arms, inner thighs) tend to be more sensitive.
Autobiography
Hey friends! It's Tyranicorn, but you are welcome to call me Ty for short. I wrote this snippet to give you a better insight to me as an artist in hopes that it will spark up a meaningful conversation or build a lasting relationship as tattoo artist/client.
Background I have been drawn to tattoos all my life. From the young age of slinging quarters, I was hustling "temporary tattoos" from my neighbors, babysitters, family, and family friends. Those elderly women didn't see it comin'. With my "flash sheet" of (poorly) drawn hearts, fruits, animals, and doodles, I sold my washable markers tattoos through the "streets" (otherwise known as my backyard). Art was one of my favorite classes; and I thrived in my high school's graphic design lab, as a teacher's assistant (of course, #NerdAlert). I continued my education and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. There, I double majored in Cross-Media Graphics Management and Digital Marketing Technology, double minored in Spanish and Web Technology, and emphasized in Sales and Marketing. Prior to joining the tattoo industry, I experienced a variety of others... Education, printing, corporate retail, food and dairy distribution, and corporate financial institutions, to name a few. I started my part=time tattoo apprenticeship in February 2019, learning from my mentor and friend, Brandon Blackwood at A Dead Anchor Tattoo in Madison, WI, where I now hold a residency artist spot. Living My Best Life After listening to countless inspirational webinars, podcasts, and presentations, I decided it was time to do something for me. I find heavily tattooed people to be walking museums, and find those without tattoos (or those with minimal tattoos) to be blank canvases of opportunity. I believe that tattoos have the power to heal people (in the right context and mindset). Now, I don't mean literally heal people, but I have experienced the joy and positivity that comes from tattoos first-hand. It is my goal to provide beautiful, meaningful, colorful, and fun artwork to the tattoo industry. Whether you're looking for nostalgia, a memorial, motivation, self-esteem, or empowerment, it is my goal to provide you something beautiful you love to look at each and every day. On a Personal Note I am a collector by habit. Once I start acquiring things, I start mini collections until I die. First, it was lotion, perfumes, candles.... Now it’s pins, tapestries, books, pashminas, dream catchers, Funko POP! and Furrybones figurines, holiday village decor... The list continues (forever). I also have a kandi (pony bead bracelet) from every EDM concert/music festival I’ve ever been to! With that being said, I love dubstep. Zeds Dead, Herobust, Ray Volpe, and Spag Heddy are among my favorites. I look forward to getting to know you and building a friendship with all my new clients. If you have any questions about me that I didn't cover here, please feel free to ask them during your appointment! #XOXO Your Favorite Tyranicorn |