Ignorant Tattoos have emerged as a compelling and often hilarious style within the tattoo world, dripping with humor and a distinct sense of rebellion. Popularized in the 1990s by Parisian street artist Fuzi Uv tpk, ignorant tattoos often utilize simple linework and cartoonish elements to deliver witty and satirical commentary on society and pop culture.
To delve deeper into the playfully defiant nature of this doodle-like tattoo aesthetic, we spoke with tattoo artist Andrea @nolseytattoo, gaining insight into the style’s unique appeal and artistic approach.
Defining Ignorant Style Tattoos
Ignorant tattoos have certainly sparked conversation and divided opinions among tattoo aficionados, especially as celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Brooke Candy, who is also a singer and tattoo artist, have embraced the style. The term “ignorant” itself implies a lack of knowledge, awareness, or sophistication – words that critics of this style might readily use.
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However, the beauty of ignorant style lies precisely in its intentional embrace of humor and irony. It’s a style that deliberately goes against the grain, challenging cultural norms and traditional perceptions of what tattooing “should” be. Some are drawn to its tongue-in-cheek nature and DIY aesthetic, which carries echoes of Russian prison tattoos, while others are put off by its apparent disregard for conventional tattoo rules and forms. This juxtaposition is exactly where the style finds its power and provokes reaction.
The Visual Characteristics of Ignorant Tattoos
A black linework tattoo of a cat looking in a mirror, reflecting a skeleton cat, showcasing the simple and cartoonish style of ignorant tattoos.
Tattoo by @nolseytattoo
Visually, ignorant tattoos are characterized by their simplicity. They are predominantly executed in black linework, often with minimal or no shading, contributing to their raw and unrefined appearance. Often cartoonish and reminiscent of doodles or spontaneous freehand drawings, ignorant tattoos possess an intentionally naive and playful quality.
Tattoo artist Andrea explains how her artistic background influences her ignorant tattoo style: “My tattoos really come from the type of visual media I’ve consumed throughout my life. I grew up watching Looney Tunes and classic cartoons. My father was also a big comic book fan and enjoyed drawing cartoon-like characters himself. So, when I started tattooing, exploring ignorant style tattoos felt natural because it resonated with the kind of art I’ve always been drawn to and created.” This personal connection to the aesthetic underlines the authentic and individualistic nature of the style.
A simple black ink cat tattoo with minimal lines, exemplifying the minimalist approach often found in ignorant tattoos.
Tattoo by @nolseytattoo
The Meaning Behind the Ignorant Style
For Andrea, the ignorant style embodies “a freer and more relaxed approach to drawing and tattooing, one that isn’t restricted by traditional tattoo conventions of shading, shapes, or proportions.” It’s about breaking free from the established norms and embracing a more intuitive and less technically rigid form of expression on skin.
She sees ignorant style tattooing as being “closely linked to the evolution of contemporary art in general.” Just as art constantly evolves, so too do tattoos and the imagery people choose to adorn their bodies with. The rise of social media platforms has played a significant role, enabling artists to share their work more widely and connect with broader audiences, fostering the growth of new and niche tattoo subcultures like the ignorant style movement.
Finding Ignorant Tattoo Artists and Flash Designs
Social media platforms are invaluable tools for discovering ignorant tattoo artists and their unique designs. A quick search on platforms like Instagram will reveal a wealth of talented artists working in this style. Accounts such as @ignorant_tattoos and @ignorantstyletattoo are excellent starting points for finding artists to follow and exploring the breadth of the style. You might even discover talented ignorant style artists located near you.
Tattoo artists regularly showcase their completed tattoos and available designs, often referred to as “tattoo flash,” on their social media profiles. Browsing these portfolios is a fantastic way to gather inspiration for your own ignorant tattoo. While directly copying another artist’s tattoo is discouraged, drawing inspiration from various sources is a common and acceptable part of the tattoo creation process.
A cartoon-style fire character tattoo with bold black lines and minimal shading, typical of ignorant tattoo designs.
Tattoo by @nolseytattoo
Andrea provides insight into her flash design process, explaining, “Most of the time, my designs are deeply connected to my current emotional state.” She adds, “If you look through my design pages, you can definitely sense a general mood that runs through pretty much all of my flash sheets.”
“Some designs are simply silly things that I find funny, I won’t lie,” she admits, “but others serve as a way to physically externalize and place a feeling I’m experiencing somewhere tangible, so I draw it! It’s incredibly rewarding when people connect with and relate to those feelings through my designs.”
Ignorant Tattoo Ideas: Exploring the Possibilities
The subject matter of ignorant tattoos is incredibly diverse, ranging from cyber tribal motifs and quirky frogs to beloved cartoon characters and even everyday objects like car air fresheners. There are truly no limitations when it comes to design ideas for ignorant tattoos. Whether you’re seeking something humorous, nostalgic, or simply unconventional, the style offers a vast canvas for self-expression.
Ignorant Tattoo Fonts: Embracing Imperfection
Text incorporated into ignorant style tattoos often mimics the look of handwritten notes scrawled on a sticky note. The fonts are intentionally messy, uneven, and may include deliberate mistakes, crossed-out words, or the use of all caps. Some ignorant tattoo fonts also draw inspiration from graffiti-style tags, adding to the raw and urban feel.
Minimalist Ignorant Tattoos: Stripped-Back Style
Ignorant tattoos frequently employ minimalist lines and shapes to achieve a stripped-back and understated aesthetic. While black ink is commonly used to fill in certain design elements, the emphasis on linework itself contributes to the overall minimalist feel, focusing on essential forms and outlines.
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Small Ignorant Tattoos: Tiny Statements
Often, ignorant tattoos effectively convey their message within a small area of skin. Small ignorant tattoo ideas are abundant and varied, including:
- Stick figures or simple cartoon characters
- Wine glasses
- Smiley faces
- Numbers
- Dogs like Dobermans
- Flames
- Knives or daggers
These smaller designs pack a punch while maintaining the signature simplicity of the style.
90s Ignorant Tattoos: Nostalgic Revival
The iconic 1990s are experiencing a significant resurgence in tattoo trends, and ignorant tattoos are no exception. From beloved 90s kids’ cartoons and tribal patterns to playful dolphin motifs, ignorant tattoos are offering a fresh and humorous take on this nostalgic decade, appealing to those seeking a retro yet contemporary vibe.
Color in Ignorant Tattoos: When to Add a Hue
While ignorant tattoos are primarily executed in black ink to maintain their characteristic simplicity, some artists incorporate color strategically. Red is occasionally used to outline designs or add subtle accents.
Andrea explains her approach to color: “I pretty much only use color if it’s absolutely necessary to convey the message I’m trying to express. If the design effectively communicates without it, then I likely won’t use it!” This highlights the intentional and purposeful use of color within the style, prioritizing clarity of message over purely decorative application.
Animal Ignorant Tattoos: Creatures with Character
Animals engaging in human-like activities are a consistently popular theme within ignorant tattoos. From geese wielding knives in their beaks to raccoons rummaging through trash cans, these designs often inject humor and personality into the animal kingdom. Feel free to choose your favorite animal and envision it doing something amusing or endearingly foolish for a truly unique ignorant tattoo.
A minimalist black ink tattoo of a cow head, showcasing the animal theme often seen in ignorant tattoos.
Tattoo by @nolseytattoo
Hand-Poked Ignorant Tattoos: Embracing the Handmade
While ignorant tattoos can be created using traditional tattoo machines, many artists prefer the hand-poke method for this style. This technique, where ink is manually applied dot by dot, lends an even more distinctly handmade, authentic, and DIY feel to the tattoos, further emphasizing their unconventional and rebellious spirit.
Placement Ideas for Your Ignorant Tattoo
The beauty of ignorant tattoos lies in their versatility – they can be placed virtually anywhere on your body. Ultimately, it’s your body and your choice. You could create an entire sleeve composed of ignorant tattoos, gradually filling your arm like a giant doodle pad. Whether you opt for larger, bolder designs or prefer smaller, more subtle pieces, you have complete freedom to cover as much or as little skin as you desire. Alternatively, you can seamlessly integrate ignorant tattoos into existing tattoo collections, creating a unique patchwork bodysuit that blends diverse styles.
When discussing your tattoo ideas with your chosen artist, they may offer suggestions regarding optimal placement based on the design and your overall aesthetic goals.
Must-Know Ignorant Tattoo Artists
Ignorant tattoos, with their rebellious energy, playful humor, and “I don’t care” attitude, are gaining traction globally. Here are just a few of the ignorant tattoo artists we are currently admiring – and we encourage you to share your own favorites!
1. @diny_land – London
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2. @_harrymckenzie – Brighton
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3. @floppy_pigeon_pokes – UK
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4. @arual.tattoo – Brighton
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- And, of course, Andrea @nolseytattoo!
A black linework tattoo of a skeleton figure holding flowers, showcasing the unique and slightly morbid humor sometimes found in ignorant tattoos.
Tattoo by @nolseytattoo
Explore More Tattoo Styles
For further tattoo inspiration, aftercare guidance, and artist spotlights, be sure to explore the Stories & Ink Journal.
