Tattoo Commission: Asian Dragon
Pencil on Bristol board
16" x 14"
A friend asked me to design an Asian dragon tattoo to go on his lower leg, so I worked up several ideas. The Smithsonian's Freer and Sackler galleries just happened to be showing an exhibit on Japanese prints from the Edo period, and I spent an afternoon there with my sketchbook for inspiration.
This is a flattened-out version, intended to wrap around the back of the calf. The tattoo artist will transfer it to my friend's skin and do the final inks and color. I'll add a photo as soon as the tattoo is complete.
Click image for larger view.