Image via Complex Original
intro
Written and selected by Julie Fishman.
No skin is off limits in the world of modern tattooing, including the stuff covering your cranium.
While the rounded surface and extra-thick skin make head tattoos especially challenging, talented artists have managed to navigate the skull with skill. When expertly articulated, these are some of the most mesmerizing walking artworks you'll ever see. Reserved, most often, for the most hardcore ink collector, skull tattoos rarely fail in producing proper "WOW" factor.
From New York to L.A. to overseas, check out our gallery of 10 Amazing Skull Tattoos.
baxter
Artist: Nick Baxter
Titled Jack VIII, this brainy piece by Nick Baxter shows off the artist’s intricately detailed and brightly colored approach to realism. The top of this beautiful work is seen in our introductory slide.
eyeball
Artist: Armando “Placaso” Casas
Faithful to SoCal’s traditional black and grey style, Armando “Placaso” Casas is known for meticulous work and technical prowess, both evident in this eye-popping tat.
hooper
Artist: Thomas Hooper
English born and New York based, Thomas Hooper inked this geometrically complex tattoo featuring “mandalas,” concentric designs popular in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
abrego
Artist: Roman Abrego
Master of biomechanical tattoos, Roman Abrego uses vibrant colors and a wet paint look to make this example of skull on skull art especially sick.
jeff
Artist: Jeff Johnson
Portland-based Jeff Johnson freehanded this organic tat over a seven hour period at a convention in Vegas.
skull
Artist: Jack Parrill
Jack Parrill, the Ohio-based artist who created this flaming skull, doesn’t like to talk about himself … luckily his work speaks on his behalf.
denis
Artist: Dennis M. Del Prete
A man who pays homage to the golden age of American tattooing, Dennis M. Del Prete’s snake tattoo features bold, steady lines and skillful use of color.
dave lum
Artist: Dave Lum
A longtime legend known for his nonsensical and mocking work, Dave Lum packs a ton of color into this “Blue Plate Special” created in 1993.
stefano
Artist: Stefano Alcantara
Stefano Alcantara, a Peruvian artist living in the states, freehanded this vivid tattoo, making it all the more awesome.
placaso
Artist: Armando “Placaso” Casas
Best known for his portrait work, we had to round out our slideshow with another photorealistic head tat from Placaso.