Choosing a tattoo is easier when you can see how the art sits on an arm. So I took five of my wildlife drawings and placed each one on a woman’s upper arm to give you a clear idea of size, placement, and the general feel.
Each tattoo is based on one of my pencil drawings. I’ve sold these drawings for years and people often return to show me their tattoos. That gave me the idea to show a few examples myself.
You can look at each design and I’ll also tell you the story behind each drawing.
Zebra Foal Tattoo
This zebra foal was part of a small herd that spooked and ran across the track as I approached in the car. I managed to take a few photos as they moved past and this pose stood out.
The foal looks quick and alert, and the moment had a nice rhythm to it. That made it worth drawing and it works well as a small tattoo on the upper arm.
Just out of interest, this is my original drawing. It didn’t quite work. In hindsight I can see that I should’ve drawn more dust kicking up in front of the mare, that would’ve made the foal stand out.
These things are not always obvious when you get too involved with your work. You can’t see the wood for the trees.
Penguin Tattoo
I sketched these two penguins after visiting South Africa. People don’t realize that penguins live there, but they do.
I worked from two photos I took on the beach. I picked the best poses and joined them together to get a nicer composition.
I had to tweak them a little. Their eyes were half closed in the originals, so I opened them up to give them more life. Little fixes like that make the drawing work better. It’s artistic license.
If you ever visit Cape Town, take the Metro to Simonstown and walk to Boulders Beach. The penguins nest right on the sand and swim close by. You can use the public beach and share the space with them. It is a great place to watch them up close and even swim with them.
Owl Tattoo
I didn’t get this Barn Owl shot in the wild. It was being flown in a falconry show in South Africa and I managed to take one useful photo as it came past. The image was poor. The composition was off and the wing tip was missing. A photographer would have deleted it.
As an illustrator, I can fix things. I removed the tethers and rebuilt the missing wing using another reference. The pose still had a nice flow, so I kept it and turned it into a drawing. It works well as a small tattoo.
Snow Leopard Tattoo
This drawing is called ‘The Chase’ and it shows a snow leopard running straight at me. This was a rescued cat in Darjeeling in NE India. It had to be captured because it was killing sheep so the army stepped in and brought it to the breeding center.
I tried a looser style than usual and focused on movement and attitude instead of perfect detail. The direct stare gives the drawing its punch.
The shading and simpler transitions were deliberate. I wanted to step back from tight rendering and see what happened when I worked more freely.
It makes a interesting tattoo, not too fierce, not too soft.
Donkey Tattoo
This drawing, called ‘About Turn’, is a young donkey I saw in a village in Ethiopia. It was healthy and mom was standing close by.
Donkeys always get a positive reaction. People have a soft spot for them and the mood changes the moment you people see this drawing. They are clever, stubborn, and gentle in their own way.
This foal had the right look. The ears were up, the eyes were wide, and the pose had a nice twist to it. Donkey lovers notice those details straight away. The drawing has sold well for years and I think it looks good as a small tattoo.
Small Tattoos for Women: Final Thoughts
Choosing an animal tattoo is personal and it helps when the art has a real story behind it. Every drawing here came from a moment that stayed with me, and each one brings its own vibe.
I think these designs work well as small tattoos. They are certainly unique.
If you like these drawings you will probably like some of these:
- 5 Unique Animal Tattoos For Men
- 12 Wildlife Art Bestsellers (Use These Subjects to Make Money)
- 85 Pencil Drawings of Animals
- 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
- How to Draw Realistically: 11 Realistic Drawing Tips
PIN THIS
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