I’ve lost count of how many people have bought my wildlife prints and later returned to show me their tattoos. It happens more often than you imagine.
So I thought why not show you how my drawings might look as body art?
Each design started as one of my hand drawn pencil drawings and I’ve mocked them up on a man’s arm to give you an idea of how they look.
I’ll tell you the story behind each one below.
Grey Wolf Tattoo
This grey wolf started out as part of a drawing called The Pack, a group of three wolves in a tight group. I drew it because I had so many requests for timber wolves. I thought my drawing was a winner and made it into a print.
It sold ok but not as well as I’d imagined it would. I was surprised that people kept asking me for a lone wolf instead.
You never know what the public wants until you put yourself out there on the frontline and start selling your work face to face.
There was only one thing to do, I took the most menacing of the three wolves and redrew it as a standalone piece.
You have to adapt. It’s the only way to make a living.
It turned out better than I expected and looks great as a tattoo, even if I say so myself.
Tiger Tattoo
A tiger with a headache! I focused tightly on the face to show the intensity in its gaze and the strength in its expression.
The eyes were key. I wanted them to stop you in your tracks and hold your attention.
It was also one of the first drawings I made using a 0.3mm mechanical pencil. That precision changed how I drew detail, letting me capture the tiniest shifts in tone and texture.
This tiger portrait makes a powerful tattoo design.
Stag Tattoo
This is my stag drawing called ‘Imperial Stag‘, so called because it has 14 points, or tines, on it’s antlers, it’s a hunting term. In other words, it’s a mature testosterone filled alfa male stag, ready for action.
I took the reference photo in Richmond Park, London, during the rutting season. It’s a former royal hunting ground and famous for it’s resident wild deer right in the heart of London. They’ve been there since 1637.
The males don’t eat while they are in rut, they are too busy fighting for females, you can see the madness in his eyes.
It’s possible to get close enough to the deer to get some reasonable photos and I managed to get a shot I could use for my drawing.
I kept the pose simple and straight-on so the antlers would dominate the composition. The fine pencil work gave it real depth and balance. It’s a bold design that works perfectly as a tattoo.
Lion Tattoo
This drawing shows a male lion staring straight down his nose. It’s a classic pose. There’s quiet strength in that look, with just enough arrogance to give it attitude. It has real presence, and that’s what draws people in.
I took the photo in a lion park just outside Harare, Zimbabwe. He wasn’t wild, but he was still in Africa, I was there to go on safari and this was just a day trip.
I got lucky with the timing. Another lion roared in the distance, and this one snapped to attention. I caught that exact moment.
People connect with this drawing for all sorts of reasons. Some people see it as a symbol of strength or identity, otherswant it to like the zodiac connection, and others want it as a tattoo.
The oddest coincedence happened one day while i was trading at my stall. A Korean guy stopped when he saw this lion print, rolled up his sleeve and there it was on his arm.
He got the tattoo done in Hong Kong from a guy who’d obviously stolen it online, and by shear fluke passed by my stall in Brighton, England and met the artist who drew the original. Weird eh?
He bought the lion print so I got paid, and he got a good story, so we both got something out of it. The tattooist in Hong Kong, on the other hand, can go #### himself.
Jaguar Tattoo
This drawing called ‘Eye Contact‘ shows a jaguar in full focus. That stare pulls you in and holds you. It’s one of those images that make people stop and look twice.
A lot of people mistake it for a leopard, but look closer. Jaguars have solid dots inside their rosettes. That detail sets them apart if you are unsure.
I took the photo at Singapore Zoo during snack time. They feed them small titbits to keep them active. I managed to position myself behind a bunch of school kids as I tried to get a a few photos.
By luck I stepped into the the right gap, at the right moment, and we locked eyes for a split second, just long enough to catch the shot I needed.
The pose was perfect, even though the photo itself was poor. That didn’t matter, I used artistic license to bring ou the best.
It’s one of my most popular drawings, and, in my opinion, it turns into a striking tattoo.
5 Animal Tattoos for Men: Final Thoughts
I never set out to create tattoo designs, but over the years people have turned my drawings into tattoos again and again. It’s flattering to know the images mean enough for someone to wear them for life.
If you like these drawings you will probably like some of these:
- 12 Wildlife Art Bestsellers (Use These Subjects to Make Money)
- 85 Pencil Drawings of Animals
- 5 Small Tattoos for Women
- Where to Find Wildlife Subjects to Draw, Paint, and Photograph
- Traveling Artist: How to Sell Your Art and Travel the World
- How to Start Drawing Wildlife and Become a Wildlife Artist
- 7 Bird Art Bestsellers: Best Wall Art Selling Guide
- 9 Farm Animal Art Bestsellers: Home Decor That Sells!
- How to Draw Realistically: 11 Realistic Drawing Tips
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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy