10 Fine Line Sun Tattoos
Every tattoo on this page was drawn and tattooed by Eli Inking, an illustrative and fine line tattoo artist based in Bristol. I see clients from all over the UK and further afield, and I tour other cities through the year.
Sizes and placements
Suns scale up and down more happily than most designs. On this page alone there's a small spiral on a shoulder, a little face on the ribs, a sunburst along a forearm and a full sun across an upper back.
Forearm and back of the arm are the classic spots: easy to show off and easy to cover. Ribs and ankle suit a smaller, more private sun. Upper back is where a sun can really spread its rays.
Fine line means the drawing is made of single, clean lines rather than heavy fill, so the face stays light and delicate. I'll always suggest a size that keeps the face readable for years, rather than squeezing too much into too small a space.
Make it your own
Every design is original, and I'm always happy to make a sun yours: a different face, more rays, smaller or bigger. If one of these is your kind of sun, book a tattoo, or ask me a question first. Prefer moons? Have a look at ten moon tattoos.
Ten suns I've tattooed
Sun faces, sunrises, spirals and sunbursts, all fine line.
1. The big one
A full sun across the upper back, with long rays and a calm, sleeping face. Fine line can go big too.
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2. Freckled sun
Closed eyes, a little smile and a dusting of freckles, on the back of the arm.
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3. Peeking sunrise
A sun just coming up over the horizon, eyes first. I've tattooed this one a lot, on forearms and wrists.
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4. Sunburst
Dozens of fine rays around a small sleepy face. Simple, and it sits beautifully on a forearm.
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5. Spiral sun
A small spiral sun with chunky rays. A lovely small first tattoo.
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6. Sun on the ribs
A soft little sun face tucked onto the ribs.
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7. Sunflower
Half flower, half sun: a smiling face on a long stem, wrapping the ankle.
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8. Sun and moon
A sun above one knee and a moon above the other. Pairs like this work on forearms and calves too.
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9. Sun-headed figure
A seated figure hugging their knees, with a sunburst for a head.
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10. Healed sun
A sun face inside a circle, fully healed. This is what fine line looks like once it has settled.
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Sun designs, ready to be tattooed
All drawn already, all available. There are plenty more suns, moons and dancing figures on the artwork page.
FAQS
Are these designs original?
Yes. Every drawing here is mine, and every tattoo was done by me. I don't copy other artists' work, and I'd ask the same of anyone who finds these on Pinterest.
Can I have one of these, or something like it?
Many of my suns are flash, already drawn and ready to tattoo. I'm also happy to make one your own: a different face, more or fewer rays, smaller or bigger, or paired with a moon.
How small can a sun tattoo be?
Small, but not tiny. A simple spiral or sunburst can be very small; a sun with a detailed face needs a little more room so the features stay clear as the tattoo settles. I'll suggest the right size for the design you pick.
Where does a sun tattoo look best?
Forearms and the back of the arm are the classic spots. Ribs, shoulders and ankles suit smaller suns, and the upper back takes a big one. Pairs work well too: a sun and a moon on each knee, forearm or calf. There are more moons on my moon tattoos page.
How much does a sun tattoo cost?
Tattoos start at £130 and go up from there with size and detail, and I'm always happy to give a quote. A deposit (usually £55) secures your appointment.
Where are you based?
I tattoo at Nice and Good Studio, 8 St Gabriel's Business Park, Easton, Bristol.
It's appointment only and I'm not there every day, so everything goes through the booking form rather than dropping in.
Want a sun of your own?
Tattoos start at £130 and go up from there with size and detail. I'm always happy to give a quote. Read useful information for people looking to book, and my aftercare guide.
