10 Whimsical Tattoos
Every whimsical tattoo on this page was drawn and tattooed by Eli Inking, an illustrative tattoo artist based in Bristol. My style is naive, wholesome and a bit funky: frogs with flowers, dancing dogs, cats with hearts. I see clients from all over the UK and further afield, and I tour other cities through the year.
Sizes and placements
Whimsical tattoos work small or big. On this page there's a bird on the back of a hand, a black cat with a heart on a forearm, a frog and a flower on an upper arm, two dancing dogs across a thigh and a snail-shell woman on a shoulder blade.
Small pieces, like the cat, make a lovely first tattoo and suit wrists, ankles and forearms. Story pieces, like the horse rider or the dancing dogs, want more room, so an upper arm, thigh or shoulder blade gives the details space.
I'll always suggest a size that keeps a design clear and readable for years, rather than squeezing too much into too small a space.
Make it your own
Every design is original, and some are flash: drawn already and ready to tattoo. I'm also happy to make one yours, with a different animal, a flower in its mouth or a spot of colour. If one of these makes you smile, book a tattoo, or ask me a question first. Like celestial things? Have a look at ten moon tattoos and ten fine line sun tattoos.
Ten whimsical tattoos I've done
Cute, odd and often funny: a fish in boots, a frog with a flower, two dogs dancing under the moon. Fine line and bold black, with the odd spot of colour.
1. Fish in boots
A fish standing tall in a pair of blue boots, on the upper arm.
-
2. Black cat with a heart
A little black cat with a red heart, on the forearm, from my flash design Tiny Black Cat.
-
3. Frog and a blue flower
A frog sitting by a tall blue flower, on the upper arm.
-
4. Trumpet player on horseback
A man in a hat playing his trumpet as his horse prances along, on the upper arm, from my flash sheet On Horse with Offerings.
-
5. Dancing dogs
Two dogs dancing together under a crescent moon, with a hand-lettered line beneath, across a thigh, from my flash design Dancing Dog.
-
6. Bird with a blue flower
A black bird carrying a blue flower, on the back of the hand.
-
7. Snail-shell woman
A woman with a snail shell for a body, holding out a sprig under the moon, on the shoulder blade.
-
8. Three blue fish
Three blue fish lined up in a bold square tile, on the upper back, from my flash design Three Fish Tile Tattoo.
-
9. Black dog with a blue flower
A bold black dog carrying a blue flower in its mouth, on the hip, from my flash design Little Black Dog.
-
10. Striped cat with a sun
A striped cat by a leafy plant and a small sun, on the ribs, with touches of green and blue.
-
Whimsical designs, ready to be tattooed
All drawn already, all available. There are plenty more cats, dogs, birds and odd little figures on the artwork page.
FAQS
Are these designs original?
Yes. Every drawing here is mine, and every tattoo was done by me.
Can I have one of these, or something like it?
Half of these are flash, drawn already and ready to tattoo: the cat with a heart, the horse rider, the dancing dogs, the three fish and the black dog. I'm also happy to make one your own: a different animal, a different flower, a spot of colour.
Are these good first tattoos?
Yes. Small pieces, like the black cat with a heart, make a lovely first tattoo. I'll talk you through size and placement so it suits you and stays clear as it settles.
What is a whimsical tattoo?
Playful, a bit odd and often funny: animals doing human things, small characters, the kind of tattoo that makes people smile. Mine are naive and folky, drawn in loose fine line or bold black with the odd spot of colour.
Can you draw my own pet like this?
Animals suit this style really well. Send me a photo and tell me a bit about them when you get in touch, and I'll let you know if it's one for me.
How much does a whimsical 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 something a little whimsical?
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.
