Dot by dot
With dotwork, the artist doesn't shade in solid areas but builds shading from many individual dots. The denser the dots, the darker the area looks. As a result, you get soft gradients with a distinctive, slightly grainy texture. You can recognise a dotwork tattoo by how alive and handmade it looks, even up close.
Ornamental: mandalas, geometry and jewellery-like shapes
Ornamental tattoos often combine the dot technique with mandalas, geometric patterns, lace motifs or shapes reminiscent of jewellery. Symmetry is key here: circles have to be round and patterns need to line up with the body's axis. That's why we position the stencil especially carefully for every dotwork tattoo at our studio in Berlin and check it while you're standing before we start.
Which placements work?
Ornaments need an area that gives them room and supports their shape. For example, the forearm, elbow, shoulder, thigh, back and sternum all work well. Above all, mandalas look good on areas where the pattern can continue symmetrically. In your consultation in Berlin, we look at how your dotwork tattoo can work with your anatomy rather than against it.
Combining dotwork with other styles
Dot-based work combines well with other techniques. Fine lines, for example, give a mandala a clear outline, while solid black emphasises individual elements. Dotwork also works well for creating soft transitions between several designs. We'll work out how much combining your design can take, ideally using reference images.
Time and patience
Dotwork takes time, because the artist places every dot individually. Smaller designs are possible in one session, while we split large mandalas or sleeves across several appointments. For your dotwork tattoo in Berlin, we plan sessions so that you can get through them comfortably and your skin can heal in between.
How dot-based work heals and ages
After healing, the dots blend together slightly, so the gradients look softer. However, that's intentional and part of the style's character. For a dotwork tattoo from our Berlin studio, we plan for this effect from the start. To keep the texture crisp for a long time, protect your tattoo from the sun and follow our aftercare guide.
Dreaming of a mandala or an ornamental piece as a dotwork tattoo in Berlin? Send us your ideas and references via our request form.