This lion is done in what I call my “reasonably realistic” style. I call it reasonably realistic because I use a bit more black than one would find in a photo-realistic style of tattoo, but not as much black outlining as one would use doing a more traditional tattoo style. I find that a bit of black helps with depth and perspective and tends to keep the tattoo looking good longer than going for photo-realism, especially when the client is into tanning, and this one is religious about hitting the tanning beds.

lion tattoo thornes-ink phoenix rising tattoo hartjoy
Peace, out!