Butterfly tattoos
A butterfly on the upper arm in a fine line, and butterflies in a darker illustrative composition. By Klára and Tereza.
A butterfly is one of the most searched motifs of all, and also one of those most often made too small. A wing carries a pattern, and a pattern needs surface — below roughly five centimetres it turns into a dark patch with an outline.
Two different treatments
Klára does a butterfly in a fine line: a clean outline, restrained shading, a light feel that suits a forearm or shoulder. Tereza works it into a larger illustrative composition with strong contrast — there the butterflies are not a standalone motif but part of a scene.
Placement
- Upper arm and forearm: the most rewarding, a wing fits at a sensible size.
- Shoulder and shoulder blade: takes more butterflies or a larger composition.
- Wrist, neck, behind the ear: a simplified motif only, not a detailed wing pattern.
Worth knowing beforehand
If the butterfly is a memorial or carries a specific meaning, say so — it affects how it is designed. Consultation and design are free.
Klára — Microrealism & fine line →Tereza — Dark illustrative realism & abstract →
Selected work
