Drop shadows create the effect of the tattoo sitting up, off the skin, while forced perspective is most successfully used to create the effect of being able to reach into the tattoo. These 3D forearm sleeves demonstrate how successful this approach can be when applied to a variety of different subjects.  

2. Skull Forearm Sleeve Tattoos

Skulls are up there with swallows and roses for most tattooed images, ever. People love getting these macabre symbols of our limited time on earth permanently tattooed on their bodies, and for good reason. The dramatic appearance of these ghastly images makes them the perfect subjects for tattoos, and forearm sleeves are no exception. 

While most of these tattoos take a realistic approach, skulls can be applied in a variety of styles, from American traditional to the colorful skulls of Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos.  

3. Asian Influenced Forearm Sleeve Tattoos

Some of the most stunning and visually impressive tattoos come from the Japanese tattoo tradition known as irezumi. This style, known for its vibrant colors and design elements drawn from ancient Japanese life—think samurais, geishas, and koi fish—was one of the main inspirations for the American traditional school of tattooing. 

This style is also characterized by the whorls of smoke and clouds and crashing waves that are used as background filler. These forearm sleeves are inspired by this Asian tradition and use it as a starting point to create interesting and unique tattoos. 

4. Nature Themed Forearm Sleeve Tattoos

We all come from nature, and because of this it is no surprise that people have the desire to incorporate scenes from the natural world into their tattoo designs. From cascading waterfalls and towering evergreen trees to babbling brooks and rolling hills, Mother Nature provides plenty of material to work with. These forearm sleeves draw inspiration from the natural world and utilize a number of different styles and approaches to create these singular odes to nature and our place in it.