There are endless possibilities to consider when contemplating your next ink. But in the vast sea of roses and sailor tats, finding something truly original or inspiring can be difficult. If you're looking for something different, it's time to check out single line tattoo inspo.
Before continuous line drawings became popular jewelry mainstays, the style was often employed in art classes as a drawing exercise. Mastered, the practice becomes a highly impressive technique in which an artist must complete an entire image using as few lines as possible — and ideally, only one.
1. Girl With a Pearl Earring Feeds Birds
Girl with a pearl earring... feeding some pigeons! done by @jakobbelbin —————————————————— #mitattoostudios #tattoo #tattoos #tatted #inked #eastbourne #eastbournetattoo #eastbournetattoos #booktoday #affordabletattoos #killerink #killerinksupplies #barberdts #barberdtssupplies #linedrawing #linedrawings #linesrawingtattoo #linedrawingtattoos #singlelinetattoo #singleline #jakobbelbin #abstracttattoo
Reworking an iconic artistic concept can give an old portrait new life. This tattoo is clearly inspired by Vermeer's masterpiece "Girl With a Pearl Earring." The birds are a nice touch.
2. A Passionate Kiss
I am currently out of office ❌ #tattoo #borisschmitz #continuousline #continuouslinedrawing #oneline #onelinetattoo #linetattoo #singlelinetattoo #continuouslinetattoo #lgbt
Portraits are an essential form of single line work and involve finding subtle ways to move between eyes, lips, and ears. Here, adding a hand at the nape of the neck adds flair and extra difficulty to the continuous line.
3. Floral Beauty
A HUGE thank you to J for snagging my available lady design! I'm always so flattered when someone falls in love with one of my original pieces my books are always open if anyone is interested in more of this style! . . . #linesonlinesonlines #lineart #tattooedgirls #tattoo #contourlinedrawing #contourline #singlelinetattoo #feminineenergy #femininetattoo #daintytattoo #idahotattooers #coeurdalene #adtcda
This floral piece is absolutely gorgeous. While the tattoo is not purely a single line work, it draws from that style. The addition of greenery adds plenty of texture to this black & white bust.
4. Intertwined Lovers
@quibe #flashtattoo #femaletattooartist #dc #washingtondc #dctattooartist #dctattoo #dotwork #dynamicblack #dynamicblackink #eternalink #art #tattoo #tat #tattoos #femaletattooer #linework #finelinetattoo #fineart #bodyart #spektraxion #abstract #continuouslinedrawing #continuousline #kiss #continuouslinetattoo #abstracttattoo
This spare portrait is really exceptional, calling back to illusions of lamps or faces. The continuous line adds dimension here that other styles may not be able to access.
5. Chuck Taylor Converse
ℂ . . . #tattoosbysasha #tattoosbysashakaye #sashainktattoo #ankletattoo #legtattoo #delicatetattoo #finelinetattoo #continuouslinedrawing #continuousline #continuouslinetattoo #converse #conversetattoo #shoe #shoefetish #tinytattoos #intricate #detail #femaletattooartist #ladieswhotattoo #girlswhoink #dragonflytattoomachine #stencilstuff #zuperblack #minimalisttattoo #outlinetattoo #outline #perth #perthisok #perthartist #artfulinkmorley
This is such a simple yet well-executed idea, and truly looks like its made out of one continuous line. If you're looking for a neat ankle tattoo, something basic yet personal like this one may be the way to go.
6. Simple Giraffe
✨ ОДЕССА - 5 - 20 сентября ✨МОСКВА - октябрь
This tattoo took something standard and made it original. Choosing an "over the shoulder" shot of a popular tattoo image adds something majestic to this otherwise straightforward idea.
7. Chaotic Wasp
Never thought we’d ever say a wasp was cute, but this continuous line wasp by @janechocho is proving us wrong! ✨✨ #wasptattoo #continuouslinedrawing #continuouslinetattoo #lineworkwasptattoo #insecttattoo #bugtattoo #janechocho #lineworktattoo #linework #outerlimits #outerlimitstattoo #outerlimitscostamesa #costamesa #thecamp #thecampoc #orangecounty #california #tattoo #tattoos #art #inkedup #tattooartist #tattoostyle @tattoolifemagazine @ink.life @amazingtattoos0 @superb_tattoos @tattoosnob @tattooartistmagazine @mindblowingtattoos @inkjunkeyz @evolvedmag @tattrx @prophetsandpoets @the_inkmasters @tattoos_of_instagram @oldlines @radtattoos @tattooinkspiration @im_gallery
This continuous line style is as chaotic as the insect it depicts. When selecting an artist for your continuous line tattoo, finding a style that aligns with the emotion of your drawing can add a lot of character to your piece.
8. Jesus Scene
This work is intentionally cluttered, with tight, overlapping lines, and takes a minute to comprehend fully. Once you get it, it's a wonderful take on a traditional Jesus scene, with the continuous line adding dimension to what would otherwise be just another religious tattoo.
9. Modern Torso
Thank you for picking this one up from my flash @cactusfag also youre a joker xx
This tattoo reads as a 21st-century reupholstering of a classic Roman bust. Through the middle you can see the wire holding it together, as if it were made of plaster, and there's a plant growing out the top.
10. Third Eye Bust
Probably one of my favorite designs has finally found its owner and we tattooed it a few months ago in San Francisco @blkserum BERLIN: I’m here and I’m booking for April and May. If you are interested in a tattoo during this time here send me an email. Visit my website if you have wish to know how to contact me and how I work. Please don’t contact me about other places and dates until I post about them. Thank you so much! ❤
This style is incredibly chaotic but an essential depiction of continuous line artwork. The dizzying array of circular lines makes the piece feel powerful yet tranquil.
11. Scrawling Elephant
Custom single line elephant for Hannah thanks for trusting me with your first tattoo ✨ _____ #london #londontattoo #tattooartists #tattoodesign #vegantattooer #tattoo #vegan #veganink #brixton #blackwork #linework #dotwork #femaletattooartists #blxck #blxckwork #btattooing #blxckink #ladytattooers #FMLTTR #tattoodo #egotattoomachines #elephanttattoo #singlelinetattoo #continuouslinetattoo #onelinetattoo #girlswithtattoos #ankletattoo #simpletattoo #minimalisttattoo
Even though at first glance this tat looks relatively simple, it's actually fairly trippy. Depth is key when selecting new ink.
12. Flower Power
Yesterdays tattoo ➿thank you so much @micaelatourout for coming to get one of my flash pieces ☺☺ #tattooapprentice #apprenticetattoos #apprenticetattooers #continuouslinetattoo #singlelinetattoo #floraltattoo #tattoo #tattooflash #apprenticeflash
The placement of these flowers is gorgeous. They surround the face like a simple bob, adding some natural power to the 1940s vibe.
13. Geometric portrait
Thank you so much for the trust @keioneparkes_ had so much fun !♡♡ #linetattoo #continuouslinedrawing #blackwork #continuouslinetattoo #tattooapprentice #blacktattoo #blackworknow #btattoo #femaletattoo #femaletattooer #dotworktattoo #sydneytattoo #fkiron #kwadron #danselfmade @kwadron @blackworknow @naturesgrift @distinktionshellharbourcity @distinktiontattoo
This portrait has a lot going on, and we're loving it. Both sharp and smooth, the face becomes a needle on the right side while the cradling hand resembles a balloon. It's delicate and intricate all at once.
14. One-sided bishop
Abstract chess piece for Alina - Done at @vagabond_tattoostudio #chess #chesstattoo #linedrawing #lineworktattoo #outline #blacktattoo #continuouslinetattoo #legtattoo #vagabondtattoo #hackney #londontattoo
This is an elegant modern design for a dedicated chess player (and anyone who wants +2 intelligence).
15. You and your cat
Getting a lot of requests for these lately! I would be more than happy to design a single-continuous-line piece for anyone, of any subject matter. Let me know! #tattoo #lineworktattoo #linetattoo #lines #singleline #onelinedrawing #continuouslinetattoo #continuouslinedrawing #art #artistictattoo #cattattoo #womantattoo #leaves #leaftattoo #aidanmcmanus #kingofthemoon #handofdoom #handofdoomtattoo #buffalo #buffalotattoo #buffaloartist #elmwoodvillage
Don't hide behind "Cat Mom" pillows, wear your pride on your sleeve. This is the coolest way to announce to the world that you and your cat are besties forever.
