Old school (tattoo)

Updated on Oct 20, 2023

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Old school (tattoo) refers to a Western or traditional American tattoo style featuring bold black outlines and a limited color palette.

Artists

Famous artists are:

Norman Keith Collins, also known as Sailor Jerry, (1911–1973) is one of the most well known traditional tattoo artists.

Herbert Hoffmann (1919–2010), began tattooing in Germany during the 1930s. Together with fellow artists Karlmann Richter and Albert Cornelissen he was featured in the 2004 film Blue Skin (German: Flammend' Herz).

Amund Dietzel (1890–1974), Norwegian-born artist who began his career as a sailor, before settling in the United States. Known as the "Master in Milwaukee".

Bert Grimm (1900–1985), a Chicago-, the St Louis-based artist who moved to Long Beach, California to set up a shop at the Nu-Pike. His parlour was said to be the oldest continually running in the continental US and the place for sailors to get inked. Sold the shop to Bob Shaw in 1970.

Bob Shaw (1926–1993), American artist who learned tattooing from Bert Grimm in St Louis. Later worked with Grimm and became the president of the National Tattoo Association from 1983-1988.

Common old school tattoo motifs

Examples of popular old school tattoo designs include:

Native American tattoos

Pin-up tattoos

Mermaid tattoos

Swallow and sparrow tattoos

Heart tattoos

Anchor tattoos

Eagle tattoos

Navy and other armed forces symbols

Dagger tattoos

Rose tattoos

References

Old school (tattoo) Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Artists

Common old school tattoo motifs

References