10 Best Portrait Tattoos: Ideas For Your Next Portrait Tattoo

Creating a realistic portrait, on any medium, has always been the pinnacle of art. Master artists spend years training in order to gain the skill needed to create lifelike portraits, and are now creating photo realistic portrait tattoos.

That is why we put together our list of the 10 Best Portrait tattoos. Not only to show you what is possible when it comes to tattoos, but also to give you ideas for your next tattoo. Portrait tattoo subjects options are endless, from honoring a loved one, to a character from your favorite movie, and when done properly they will be some of the most stunning tattoos you can get.

So, get cozy in your chair, grab a glass of wine, and indulge yourself in one of a kind art, in our list of the 10 Best Portrait Tattoos.

#10: Statue Style Portrait Tattoos

The "Statue" portrait tattoo style makes the tattoo look like it was carved from a block of stone by a master sculptor.  This style works great with black and gray tattoos, and will always add a air of gravitas to the subject being tattooed.

Tattoo done by Rony

#9: Surreal Portrait Tattoos

Portrait tattoos make awesome surreal tattoos, as you can see from the surreal portrait tattoo below. The realism of a portrait mixed with fantastical elements creates a truly bizarre and eye catching work of art.

Tattoo done by Steve

#8: Black and Gray Portrait Tattoos

When portrait tattoos are done in black and gray it gives them a timeless look, just like a black and white photograph.  Even with only a couple colors at their disposal a skilled tattoo artist can create a masterpiece that includes even the smallest details, like the Pinhead portrait tattoo below.

Tattoo done by Steve

#7: Animal Portrait Tattoos

Not any humans you like enough to get tattooed on your body? Don't worry, you can always get an animal portrait tattoo! As you can see from the lion portrait tattoo below, animal portrait tattoos are just as good if not better then people portrait tattoos.

Tattoo done by Steve

#6: Movie Portrait Tattoos

The best part about getting a portrait tattoo of your favorite movie character is that it works as a way of meeting like minded people. When people with the same interests as you see your tattoo they inevitably stop you say " Cool tattoo, I love (insert movie title here)!"  Then, based off this shared love you will have common ground, which could snowball into an even more meaningful relationship... Did somebody say "Best Friends?"

Tattoo done by Steve

#5: Memorial Portrait Tattoos

Lost loved ones are a perfect choice for portrait tattoos. It is a way to preserve a visual memory of them on you for a lifetime. With any portrait tattoo it is important to have a very skilled artist, and this is doubly true with memorial tattoos, because you want the portrait tattoo to be as beautiful as the person it is memorializing.

Tattoo done by Steve

#4: Fictional Portrait Tattoos

This type of portrait tattoo was hard to categorize. What is meant by "fictional", is a portrait tattoo of someone that no one has ever seen before, or if they have there is no actual photographic evidence. This means that the artist is creating from depictions and descriptions, their own portrait of the character.  As you can see from the Zeus portrait below, the results can be amazing.

Tattoo done by Steve

#3: Multiple Portrait Tattoos

One is the loneliest number, so get two (or more) portrait tattoos! Sometimes you want to get a group of portrait tattoos, of your family, hero's, or characters you love, like the portrait tattoo below. And I must say, this portrait tattoo would go perfect with "fava beans and a nice chianti..."

Tattoo done by Steve

#2: Kids Portrait Tattoos

Our children are our future, so kids make great subjects for a portrait tattoo. And unlike lovers and friends, your kids will always be your kids, so you will never have to worry about regretting the tattoo. And kids look just as cute in tattoo form, as you can see from kids portrait tattoo examples below.

Tattoo done by Steve

#1: Full Color Portrait Tattoos

If you want to get the full impact from a portrait tattoo, you should get a full color portrait tattoo. As you can see from the tattoo below, the vibrance of all the colors make the tattoo really come to life. You can see the sense of awe as she looks upon the galaxy, as she realizes that she is part of the cosmos looking back on itself. 

Tattoo done by Steve

We hope you enjoyed this list of portrait tattoos, and you were able to see what is now possible with tattoos. Let us know some of your favorites of these modern works of art in the comments below.

Is there a portrait you want tattooed on your body? Then make sure to commission one of the talented modern day renaissance tattoo artists at Mr. Inkwells, where they can design a work of art on your skin that will rival any painting on canvas.

See you soon!