Skip to content
Rory Somerville

Portfolio

The work

Black-and-grey realism, gothic form, horror, lettering, and freehand blackwork built around placement and scale. Healed work is labelled where it is shown.

14 pieces — Gothic Blackwork

  • Negative-space blackwork spreading from the shoulder across the chest, with heavy black shapes, red shading and torn organic edges.
    Negative-space blackwork shoulder and chestShoulder and chestSan Diego
  • Freehand blackwork running up the side of the neck and out across the shoulder in long tapered strokes, photographed outdoors on a New York street.
    Neck and shoulder blackworkNeck and shoulderNew York City
  • Organic freehand blackwork covering the forearm in sweeping tapered strokes and scattered dots, wrapping with the muscle.
    Organic blackwork forearmForearmSan Diego
  • Black-and-grey gothic castle rendered down the centre of the back, flanked by winged gargoyles and ornamental blackwork.
    Gothic castle back pieceBackSan Diego
  • Freehand gothic lettering wrapping the shoulder and upper arm in heavy black strokes with fine hairline flourishes.
    Freehand gothic lettering shoulderShoulder and upper armNew York City
  • Dense gothic lettering and thorn-like blackwork covering the upper back and shoulder, shot in low light.
    Gothic lettering back and shoulderUpper back and shoulderSan Diego
  • Black-and-grey gothic cathedral spire tattooed down the calf with smoke and ink-wash texture around the architecture.
    Gothic cathedral calfCalfSan Diego
  • Heavy freehand blackwork blasted over an existing full sleeve, with solid black masses breaking around the older tattoos underneath.
    Blackwork blastover sleeveFull sleeveSan Diego
  • First session of a gothic blackwork sleeve continuing across the back of the hand and fingers in branching black strokes.
    Gothic blackwork sleeve and handsForearm and handSan Diego

See something close to your idea?

Start a project
  • Matching gothic blackwork finger sleeves across both hands, with tapered black claws and soft dotted shading over each finger.
    Gothic finger sleevesHands and fingersSan Diego
  • Two views of an organic blackwork quarter sleeve made of segmented shapes and thin whipped lines running onto the hand.
    Organic blackwork forearm and handForearm and handSan Diego
  • Negative-space blackwork on the forearm where solid black shapes leave bare skin reading as the design, shot in low light.
    Negative-space blackwork forearmForearmSan Diego
  • Gothic blackwork blastover on the forearm, with a solid black field and flowing outlines laid over faded older tattoos.
    Gothic blackwork blastover forearmForearmSan Diego
  • Gothic blackwork and lettering covering the chest and stomach, with a large solid black mass anchoring the centre.
    Blackwork chest and stomachChest and stomachSan Diego

Send the full idea, even if it will take more than one session.

Start a project
Start a project