2. Black and Gray Traditional Mermaid Tattoo 

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Another tattooing application that arose out of a rudimentary approach and eventually grew into a full-fledged artistic style is the black and gray tattoo idea. While black and gray—and single needle work in particular—grew out of a lack of equipment, the level of detail and expertise that is on display in these mermaid and creature tattoos demonstrates just how far it is has come – they’re even being developed into amazing temporary tattoos. 

Typified by precise line work and an expert use of shading, many a tattoo enthusiast prefers the understated elegance of black and gray over the vibrant colors of other styles. In fact, more and more people are choosing to skip color entirely and dedicate their entire bodies to the idea of black and gray art.

From photorealistic interpretations to designs that are more illustrative or abstract, black and gray – particularly in a finely detailed forearm tattoo like most of these examples – is a great choice for those that enjoy a more subtle tattoo design.

3. Vibrant Color and Watercolor Mermaid tattoo

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For some people there is simply nothing that speaks to their bright and vibrant personality like color. Mermaids are a great choice for this kaleidoscopic approach, or a more subtle but equally vivid watercolor tattoo. Color ink provides artists with an added level of expression that can be utilized in a number of ways.