Black & Grey at London's Glitch
Black & Grey tattooing builds a full tonal range from diluted black ink. Smooth gradients, soft shadow and crisp highlights create depth and atmosphere without using colour.
At London's Glitch, our Black & Grey tattoo artists use it across realism, illustrative work, ornamental designs and more conceptual imagery.
Without colour, everything rests on value. Contrast, tonal transitions and the placement of highlights are what give a Black & Grey tattoo its sense of form and dimension.
The approach suits an enormous range of subject matter — portraits, animals, architecture, botanical studies, surreal imagery and abstract texture can all be built in greyscale.
Technique varies between artists. Some work with smooth, softly blended shading, while others prefer harder contrast, stippling or more graphic transitions between tones.
Skin plays a part in how a piece reads. Tonal planning takes account of how grey values settle and soften as the tattoo heals, so the image stays readable over time.
Black & Grey also combines easily with other approaches. It can form the base of a larger project, or sit alongside blackwork, fine line and colour elements.
At London's Glitch, artists working in Black & Grey bring different sensibilities, from clean illustrative work to darker, more atmospheric imagery.
Black & Grey Artists at London's Glitch
Have an idea for a Black & Grey tattoo?
Send us your concept and any references and we'll help you find the artist and approach best suited to it.