Black-and-gray

Black-and-gray (also black-and-grey, black and grey/gray) is a style of tattooing that uses only black ink in varying shades. This tattooing style is thought to have originated from prisons in the 1970s and 1980s and was later popularized in tattoo parlors.

Black-and-gray tattoo illustrating The Crusades that encompasses the entire backside. The shading technique on the shield and other elements is pronounced and creates a sense of depth.

Origin

Black-and-gray is sometimes referred to as "jailhouse"[1] or "joint style"[2] and is thought to have originated in prisons where inmates had limited access to different materials; they resorted to using guitar strings for needles[3] and used cigarette ashes or pen ink to produce tattoos.[2][4][5] Inmates would construct makeshift tattoo machines that were powered using the small motors available in tape players.[2] Prisons generally prohibit inmates from tattooing, so these were likely to be done in secret.[4] During the late 1970s and early 1980s, jailhouse then became popularized in tattoo parlors outside of prison and was renamed "black and gray".[2][6] Black-and-gray is also thought to have originated from the Chicano[7] or cholo culture in Los Angeles.[3]

Technique

Typically, black-and-gray tattoo work is produced by diluting the black ink with distilled water in varying proportions to create a "wash" that results in lighter shades.[8][9] Gray shades can also be produced by mixing small amounts of black ink with white ink, which produces a thicker but brighter result and requires a slower application.[9] Shading is typically an important component for these types of tattoos as they will fade over a period of years without strong black tones, which provide contrast and allows the tattoo to stand out.[10][11] Subtle kinds of shading in black-and-gray are considered to require a high level of skill and illustrates professionalism in the industry.[5]

Common usage
Example of an irezumi tattoo depicting rising koi

Black-and-gray techniques are often employed for a variety of tattoos. Japanese irezumi, such as the rising koi, are traditionally done using black-and-gray,[12] although colored irezumi sometimes use black-and-gray backgrounds in a manner similar to sumi-e brushwork.[13] Classic Chicano tattoos—which include a broad range of imagery such as icons in Catholicism or the Mexican flag and partially originated from prison life—are also normally done in black-and-gray.[14] Photo-realistic portraits are also commonly done in black-and-gray,[15] and typically resist deterioration better than color portraits.[16]

In some color tattoos, artists can use black-and-gray initially to provide a foundation for the subsequent shading using colors. The colored ink can be added directly above the black-and-gray portions of the tattoo.[17]

Examples

References
  1. Wilkinson, Beth (1999). Coping with the dangers of tattooing, body piercing, and branding. Center City, MN: Hazelden. p. 66. ISBN 1568382464.
  2. Miller, Jean-Chris (1997). he Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modifications (Berkley trade pbk. ed.). New York: Berkley Books. pp. 52–53. ISBN 042515985X.
  3. Hemingson, Vince (2010). Alphabets and scripts tattoo design directory : the essential reference for body art. New York, N.Y.: Chartwell Books. p. 28. ISBN 978-0785825784.
  4. Levy, Janey (2009). Tattoos in modern society (1st ed.). New York: Rosen Pub. p. 39. ISBN 978-1404218291.
  5. Gerber, Larry (2012). Getting inked : what to expect when you get a tattoo (1st ed.). New York: Rosen Pub. p. 23. ISBN 978-1448846160.
  6. Kahn, Eve M. (31 January 2013). "Tattoos' Impressions in Print and in Film". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  7. Frucci, Angela (11 January 2005). "Los Angeles is becoming the capital of tattoo artists". The Tuscaloosa News. NY Times News Service. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  8. DeMello, Margo (2014). Inked: Tattoos and Body Art around the World. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 731. ISBN 978-1610690768.
  9. Reardon, John (2008). The complete idiot's guide to getting a tattoo. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books. p. 79. ISBN 978-1592577255.
  10. Reardon 2008, pp. 170–171.
  11. Buchanan, Fip (2014). Art of tattoo design : creating masterful tattoo art from start to finish (1st ed.). S.l.: F&W Media Inc. p. 26. ISBN 978-1440328879.
  12. Buchanan 2014, p. 48.
  13. Green, Terisa (2012). The Tattoo Encyclopedia. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1471108617.
  14. DeMello 2014, pp. 105–106.
  15. Gerber 2012, p. 23.
  16. Buchanan 2014, p. 60.
  17. Jordan, C.R. (2009). Basic fundamentals of modern tattoo. Phoenix, Ariz.: Tattoo Books Online. p. 151. ISBN 978-0615281476. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
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