This is a wicked torso tattoo. Love the intertwining of mandalas outside of the central Buddha image. He’s simple, reasonably spare in detail and effects. They’re bustling, busy and heavily detailed. The  fundamental similarity in mandala shapes are alleviated by excellent use of directional changes in shadow and pattern, no different in application to metal cogs are in a simple engine. 

This unfinished sleeve tattoo is reminiscent of the great, green Daibutsu in Kamakura Japan. Love how the jade color works off the gray focal point. It will be interesting to see what other color flourishes are employed, particularly as the piece moves up further along the arm behind Buddha’s head. The artist’s use of a lot of white highlight ink is also a nice touch – it helps again with balance and scaling.

Another unfinished work, this differs from the last tattoo due to the huge commitment of negative space technique throughout the tattoo. The section of wrist shading – a hybrid, fat gauge shading closely related to dotwork – contrasts well in the cross hatches of unblemished skin while in other areas the negative space is used to lighten the heavy tone of the overall piece.

A tremendous full sleeve tattoo. It’s so clean and fresh. The artist has been able to expertly go gray without compromising much in the way of shadow. There are small, light pieces of negative space technique – check the eyes, nose and upper lip – employed throughout the Buddha to ‘make up’ the gray masterfully, while the swirls employed behind the temple set a beautiful, flowing tone. 

What does a Buddha symbolize? 

The ideal for an individual practicing Buddhism is to attain wisdom, or Bodhi. Bodhi combines intellectual, moral, and spiritual achievement through practise, reflection, and meditation. The word Buddha means ‘the enlightened one,’ or knower.