A Flow That Moves With the Body: Wrist to Shoulder

This abstract smoke piece begins at the wrist, wraps around the arm and travels towards the back of the shoulder. I designed it as a composition that moves around the body, with different parts coming into view as the arm turns.

The smoky forms appear, disappear and reconnect along the natural contours of the arm. Soft shading gives the piece a fluid feel, while the darker areas give the composition presence.

The client travelled from the Gold Coast to Melbourne for this piece. I appreciate the trust involved in making that journey and giving me space to develop something individual.

Every arm creates a different flow. The placement and movement are part of the design from the beginning, so the composition belongs to the person wearing it.

More work and process on Instagram — @mrinkingtattoo.

Related reading: Creating movement around the body.

From wrist to shoulder, the composition uses brushstroke flow to connect the changing curves of the arm.

Watch the wrist-to-shoulder smoke flow tattoo reel on Instagram