16 Skeleton Tattoos
Every skeleton tattoo on this page was drawn and tattooed by Eli Inking, an illustrative tattoo artist based in Bristol. I draw a lot of skeletons, and they're more playful than spooky: a bit silly, a bit weird, and full of personality. They go fishing, walk the dog, wave hello and hold up the sun. I see clients from all over the UK and further afield, and I tour other cities through the year.
How I draw them
My skeletons aren't anatomy lessons, and I'm not trying to draw every bone. Lots of them have spiral ribs, and most play with negative space: the gaps in the body matter as much as the lines.
They start out almost as doodles. They come pretty easily to me, and they're one of the most fun things I get to draw.
Sizes and placements
Skeletons are tall and thin, so they love a long placement. Most of the ones on this page run down a forearm, the back of an arm or a calf, where there's room for the whole body from skull to toes.
A few designs work well small, but most of my skeletons really come alive drawn up large. A whole forearm or calf gives the negative space room to breathe and the little details room to tell their story.
Some are bold black line, some are fine line, and plenty have a spot of red or blue: a sun, a flower, a dog's lead.
Make it your own
Every design is original, and I'm always happy to make a skeleton yours: give it something to hold, a pet to walk, a different pose or a bit of colour. If one of these is your kind of skeleton, book a tattoo, or ask me a question first. Fancy something to go with it? Have a look at ten moon tattoos or ten fine line sun tattoos.
Sixteen skeletons I've tattooed
Fishing, walking the dog, waving hello and holding up the sun. Playful, never anatomical, in bold black line, fine line and the odd spot of colour.
1. Holding up the sun
A bold black skeleton down on its knees, holding up a big red sun on the back of the arm.
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2. Blue flower
Bold black line, one blue flower and a little green sprig, on a forearm.
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3. Fish bones
A fine line skeleton holding up a big red fish skeleton, on a calf.
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4. Memento mori
A fine line skeleton inside an oval of the words memento mori, on a calf.
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5. Long and lanky
A long skeleton with spiral ribs and big round eyes, waving, down a forearm.
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6. Wiggly red flower
A bold skeleton with spiral ribs, holding out a wiggly red flower, on a calf.
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7. Walkies
A skeleton walking a small black dog on a red lead, down a forearm.
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8. Hello
A solid black skeleton waving hello, on a calf.
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9. Big red sun
A fine line skeleton reaching up beside a big red sun with a face, on a calf.
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10. Gone fishing
A skeleton fishing, with a red sun on the end of its line. On a forearm.
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11. Big blue flower
A skeleton with spiral ribs holding up a big blue flower, on an arm.
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12. Blue moon
A bold skeleton face to face with a blue crescent moon, on an upper arm.
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13. Flowers in a pot
A wide-eyed skeleton with two red flowers growing up from a black pot, on an upper arm.
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14. Guitar
A skeleton playing an acoustic guitar mid step, down a forearm.
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15. A bunch of flowers
A skeleton with spiral ribs holding a little bunch of red flowers, on an inner forearm.
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16. Sun for a head
A delicate fine line skeleton with a sun for a head, holding up a crescent moon. On the inner forearm.
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Skeleton designs, ready to be tattooed
All drawn already, all available. There are plenty more skeletons, suns 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 skeletons are flash, already drawn and ready to tattoo. I'm also happy to make one your own: a different pose, something for it to hold, a pet to walk, or a splash of colour.
How big does a skeleton tattoo need to be?
Some of my skeleton designs work small, but most look best drawn up large, down a whole forearm or calf. That gives the spiral ribs and the gaps in the body enough room to read clearly as the tattoo settles. A skull or part of a skeleton can go much smaller. I'll suggest the right size for the design you pick.
What does a skeleton tattoo mean?
That's yours to decide. Skeletons often stand for memento mori, a reminder that life is short, so make the most of it. Mine tend to be doing something ordinary, like walking the dog or going fishing, which feels more about being alive than anything gloomy. If yours has a story behind it, I'd love to hear it.
What inspires your skeletons?
Jean-Michel Basquiat's paintings are one influence, with their loose, lively figures. But the skeletons themselves are very much my own: the spiral ribs, the open shapes and the everyday things they get up to all come from my own drawing.
Do you do skeletons with suns and moons?
Yes, often. A skeleton holding up the sun, reaching for the moon, or with a sun for a head. Have a look at my moon tattoos and fine line sun tattoos too.
How much does a skeleton 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 skeleton 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.
