63 Small Simple Tattoos for Men [2024 Inspiration Guide] (2024)

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2. Small Simple Black and Gray Tattoo Ideas

A brilliant piece packing the elements of a large tattoo into small sizing. There are three separate stages – the sun and fluffy cloud-chute created by excellent shading, then crisp rope lines themselves joining to the jumper, who almost looks like an origami person. Top-drawer work!

Feathers are a popular type of small tattoo. They’re great at being able to convey an artists’ skillset, particularly for shading and linework.

Ironic tattoos can be a little hit and miss, but mug life is a good way to be, no matter what’s in your cup!

4. Small Simple Nature Tattoo Ideas

This is a very clever little tattoo, playing the solid colors of blue-black off against the almost abstract shading to create a series of peaks, with clean lines supporting the changes in shape.

This piece is another interesting little tattoo. By giving the image a border, the artist worked within its constraints to create a nice realist scene, with smart shading helping create different facets of earth, forest, and mountains, and shifting line work giving the river flow.

5. Small Triangle Tattoo Ideas

This small tattoo features elements of the sketch style combined with geometric ingenuity to create a nice group of mountains, and the solo lines above and below the core piece support nicely without having to do too much.

6. Small Simple Linework Tattoo Ideas

Fire emoji. This is a badass traditional American tattoo. It’s a fine example of clean, black lines, and a deft piece of needle work by the artist. The is the type of piece to show off your old school sensibilities.

This one is funky. It’s like the challenge you would have to do by closing your eyes and trying to draw a person’s face without taking your eye off the page. The tattooist probably didn’t do that, but it’s a very clean continuous line.

7. Small Simple Arrow Tattoo Ideas

Sometimes the simplest tattoos are the most arresting. This small piece is reminiscent of old school tattoos from antiquity. Ancient cultures like the Scythians, Picts, and Thracians had this type of tattoo method, often getting inked in manhood and war rituals.

A cool take on the arrow, it’s a surprising tattoo mainly because of its length. The arrow is straight, the black sharpens the lines, and the shading free image makes it rest well along the inside forearm.

8. Small Simple Nautical Themed Tattoo Ideas

This is very well drawn. The small scale of this piece adds luster to the excellent self-containment. There’s great depth in the image, and the elements of line work and shading work well together.

Going in to the 20^th century sailors were the most likely profession to get tattoos, particularly merchant seamen going long distances hauling freight. These days anchors such as this one are tattooed more in homage, rather than as a professional benchmark. This is a tricky blackwork version.

There aren’t many tattoos of Nessie, but this one is cool. A solid black monster contrasts with the line work used to create the shadow off water.

Japanese calligraphy is difficult to pull off but this version excels. It truly reflects the traditional Japanese art form and looks like it could have been freshly drawn with cut quill and fresh ink. This is understated but extreme quality tattoo art.

This piece is an excellent example of the blackwork style. No shading, likely a single needle, but rendered with clarity because of a great shape complemented well by the position of the raven across his ribs.

It’s hard to describe black as a vivid color but this Japanese calligraphy almost makes the piece looks fake. It’s delivered well enough to believe it could have been painted on by a master with horsehair paintbrush.

This solid, small chest piece delivers a symmetrical pattern. It’s using a Nordic rune theme to create its style. It would be interesting to see what the piece translates too.

This funky little message in a bottle plays on traditional elements to create the beach scene. While only small it uses smart shading, along with sharp fat lines to create a strong image.

This is an unnerving take on a new wave tattoo. The noose features great line work that really pops off the skin, complemented by a font imprint that really stands out – it’s almost like a bright neon sign in a shopfront, but spooky.

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