Glossary15 January 2026 · 1 min read

Engraving

Engraving imitates woodcuts, copper engravings or linocuts: parallel and crossing lines, dense hatching and strong contrasts between light and dark. It recalls antique illustration and prints.

Why it matters: The result depends on the regularity of lines and hatching. In products it is associated with precise lining.

Related: Sketch, Illustrative, Linework, Dotwork.

Guide4 min readReading a style: six elements for looking at a tattooStyle labels help find one's way around, but they say little on their own: two tattoos called the same thing can be very different, and a work can sit between two styles. This guide proposes a method for looking at a tattoo by observing six concrete elements: line, colour, contrast, composition, depth and subject. With these elements the families of styles can be recognised, what is seen can be described, and one can understand from which traditions and influences they come. The styles mentioned have a glossary entry; here the interest is in how to look at them.

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Engraving

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