Black and Gray Tattoos

Joint Tattoos Come Clean!

Black and gray tattoos are generally believed to have started in prisons in the United States. This was probably due to the difficulty of prison inmates getting their hands on colored ink. When several tattooists such as California's Jack Rudy and 'Good Time Charlie Cartwright' saw the work for the first time they realized that there was great artistic potential in adapting it for use in tattoo shops outside of prisons.

Black & Gray Japanese Fish (koi) - Troy Denning of Invisible Ink in NY

'Jail house' tattooists would jury-rig home made tattoo machines powered by any small, available motor. Since colored tattoo inks weren't available and cigarette ash made an acceptable, easily emulsified pigment, the tattoos were invariably black and gray. They developed the refined, detailed style that has become popular these days.

The advancement of this underground technique was refined in the 1970's, turning black and gray or 'joint style' tattoos into a mainstay of modern tattooing. Black and Gray is customary used for portraits or for achieving a very realistic effect. The artist's concentration is focused on the line and shading of the piece. They can look awesome particularly if the tattoo artist is experienced with shading. Just like the name they are done only in shades of black and gray.

Want to flash off your tattoo pictures on this page? Easy peasy...

*All approved pictures receive an e-book of Tattoo Designs

* Submissions without photos attached, thumbnail pictures or low res photos will be not be published.

Click below to see view pictures of tattoos from site visitors, rate their ink and read comments from others about your tattoos.

Black and Grey Motobike Tattoo 
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

We took a pic of a my mates bike and ...

Black & Gray Tattoo 
Black & Gray Skull & Dragon
Artist, Nathan- Yakuza Tattoo, Campbelltown
Skull Cost $400.00
Dragon Cost $350.00

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel ...

Black and Grey Tattoo 
Its a black & grey 'joint style' smoky dragon, 3/4's of my arm length. Took approx 2.5 hours cost total $350.00.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel ...

Black and Grey Indian Tattoo 
It took approx 3 hours and is located on the back. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK 01443 438664....

Black and Grey Viking Cover up 
This was a cover up of an old tattoo, if you look you can see it slightly under the vikings helmet. It took approx 4 hours and is located on the upper ...

Black and Grey Tattoo 
Shrunken Head of the Mudurucu tribe.

By Chris Saint Clark of Kustom Thrills In Nashville.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Angel Tattoo 
It took 3 hours from a great artist.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos ...

Bricked Heart Tattoo 
Just after my third divorce i decided that i had it with long term relationships, so its sex and conversation that makes me happy. Done at Yonge Street ...

Black and Grey Half Sleeve Dragon 
My tattoo is a half sleeve black and grey dragon done by Corey Miller from Six Feet Under Tattoo. The outline was done at the Fresno Tattoo Expo in April ...

Mythical Dragon Tattoo 
My tattoo is of a mythical type dragon, holding an eyeball with a wind effect background, the artist was from West Wales and his shop is called 'Nobbys ...

Large Koi Fish Tattoo 
10 hours .. a cover up.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos ...

Portrait Tattoo 
This is a portrait tattoo of my little girl Bailey, it was done by Darren Stares of Portsmouth, England, 2007. It took 5 hr's to do, and is 100% like for ...

Black and Gray Script Tattoo 
Family - Impact Tattoo (Portugal)

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon ...

Smile Now, Cry Later Clowns 
It is the famous and most popular Smile Now, Cry Later tattoo.This tattoo took me bout 3 and a half hours to do. Its covers his whole top shoulder and ...

Black & Grey Portrait Tattoo 
Piece was done by Tom Ptolomey of Southend, about eight or nine years ago. It took about three and a half hours in one sitting, is on my left thigh and ...

Remembrance Tattoo 
This tattoo was done in 2hours by Derrick Young of 'Yankee Tattoos' in Dundee, Scotland, Derrick is especially good at black and gray work,and horror scenes....

Black and Grey Full Sleeve Tattoo 
13 hours into sleeve at Fine Line Topeka,KS

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic ...

Black and Grey Tattoo in Progress 
I'm a fan of black and grey work. I have got 5 or so in the past 6 weeks, by Tattoo John at Eastcoast Tattoos in Alsford Nova Scotia Canada.. Each one ...

Black & Grey Tattoo 
This tattoo is what i call my "three faces" it was tattooed by Phil (Lynxy) @ 'The Bluebird Tattoo Studio' in North Shields, England. It is on the top ...

Florida State Tattoo 
it took about one or so hour it didn't hurt too bad. It SCABBED UP NASTY it was my 1st tattoo proud of it though rep my state of birth and growth forever ...

Mexican Tattoo Art 
It's a picture of a Mexican soldier w/a fighting rooster. This took about 3 hrs to complete.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Memorial Tattoo 
Heather Dewar at Tribal Skribe, Dundee, Scotland took 8 hours. Dundees female tattoo artist.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Black & Grey Tattoo 
I'm the artist my brother was the recipient. It only took about 3 hours. Had he not been a pussy it would have taken two hours.

Pinoy Tribal Tattoo Design 
Full leg tattoo called Pinoy tribal.. done by a well known tattoo artist in the Philippines..

Evil Tattoo 
Freehand head ripping out of flesh. It took me about twenty minutes to do.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos ...

Koi Fish Tattoo 
Check it out!!

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos , erotic ...

Colour Lily Tattoo  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

This took approx 4 hours to do.

Popular ...

Colour Gremlin Tattoo  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

This took approx 4 hours to do.

Popular ...

Black and Grey Pin Up Girl  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

This took approx 4 hours to do.

Popular ...

Black and Grey Knight With Wings  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

This took approx 4 hours to do.

Popular ...

Black and Grey Samurai Tattoo  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

This took approx 3 and a half hours to ...

Black and Grey Memorial Tattoo  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

Took approx 3 hours to do!

Popular ...

Black and Grey Pheonix Tattoo  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

This is a Pheonix tattoo and took approx ...

Black and Grey Pin up Girl!  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

It took approx 4 hours to do and is a ...

Black and Grey Dragon with Daffodils  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

It took approx 2 and a half hours to ...

Black and Grey Portrait Tattoo  Not rated yet
The Tattoo was done by Ray Tutty @ The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK CF41 7BS ( 01443 438664)

It took approx 3 hours to do and is a ...

Elvis and Marilyn Tattoo  Not rated yet
Not sure how long it took maybe 2 hrs, but the lips hurt the worst. The artist was the great John Ballesteros from Indigo Skin Design in Antioch Calif....

'No Guts - No Glory' Tattoo  Not rated yet
Black and Gray tat with green shamrock in the center. The words "No guts, No Glory" written in on banners above and below. American and Ireland flag on ...

Tribal Inspired Tattoo With Letter  Not rated yet
It's a V with tribal style.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon ...

Black and Gray Half Sleeve  Not rated yet
Great artist at 'Darkside Tattoos'. Tic Toc did this n bout 2 hrs only 200 bucks cuz he did my dads work let me kno wut u thnk?

Popular Tattoo Designs ...

Psycho Realm Gasmask Tattoo  Not rated yet
The psycho realm gas mask.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon ...

Ballerina Slippers Tattoo  Not rated yet
Was about the size of a half dollar.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos ...

Black and Grey Fantasy Tattoo  Not rated yet
This is an image taken from a Victoria Frances painting, it took approx 2 hours and is located on the forearm. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The ...

Black and Grey Skull Tattoo  Not rated yet
A Skull looking through the skin, it took approx 2 hours and is located on the upper inner arm. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio,...

Black and Grey Metallica Tattoo  Not rated yet
This is an image taken a Metallica album cover, it took approx 3 hours and is located on the forearm. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio,...

Black And Grey Viking Tattoo  Not rated yet
It took approx 3 hours and is located on the calf. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo Studio, Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales UK 01443 438664....

Black and Grey Fantasy Tattoo  Not rated yet
This is an image taken from a Victoria Frances painting, it took approx 3 hours and is located on the calf. The tattoo was done by Ray Tutty, at The Tattoo ...

Koi Tattoo  Not rated yet
It took 1 and half hour by a friend of mine who is a tattoo artist..and for me it looks good..

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Portrait Tattoo of Marilyn Monroe  Not rated yet
Marilyn Monroe Portrait took 7 hours. It was done by Chris Saint Clark at Kustom Thrills Tattoo in Nashville.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel ...

Realism/ Portrait Tattoo  Not rated yet
This is of the girls Grandmother. It took 5 hours. It was done by Chris Saint Clark of Kustom Thrills Tattoo in Nashville.

Popular Tattoo Designs ...

God Bless the Philippines  Not rated yet
BLESS THE FLAG OF THE PHILIPPINES. IT TOOK 4 HOURS.

ARTIST: AKA AMBOK

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly ...

Warrior Tattoo  Not rated yet
A dragon and a Japanese warrior which I gave the name of 'Roja Boy'. It comes from my son's name. It took 5 hours to complete.

Popular Tattoo Designs ...

Skull Tattoo  Not rated yet
Harley motor/ skulls. Took 7 hours.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos ...

Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
Screw tattoo done by Jim Stafford of 'Minds Eye Tattoo' in Helena Montana. Took 2 Hours.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and ...

Zodiac Sign Tattoo  Not rated yet
Simple zodiac Cancerian symbol that also looks like a 69 which is why I tattooed it on myself.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Raven Tattoo on Foot  Not rated yet
A black raven on the foot, very detailed but only took about an hour. The artist was Janene from 'Bob's Piercing & Tattoos' in Surfers Paradise of the ...

Tribal Cover-up Tattoo  Not rated yet
It took about 2 hours.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos ...

Stick Man Tattoo  Not rated yet
Only person to stick by my side.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon ...

Koi Fish Tattoo  Not rated yet
By marlon of 55tinta.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos ...

Black and White Tribal Tattoo  Not rated yet
i often free hand designs on to the skin using skin markers, as i have done with this one. i used a variety of white tribal lines mixed with black solid ...

Anchor Tattoo on Girl  Not rated yet
This tattoo was $50+$10 tip. represents staying grounded. took about 30-45 minutes.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray ...

Names Tattooed on Back  Not rated yet
My tattoo had taken 3 hours, I was 15 when Ii got it done, I am 16 at the moment soo yeah hope you like it. Cheers ...

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel ...

Black and Gray Tattoo  Not rated yet
This is the 'Sumatran Rat Monkey' from the Peter Jackson movie, 'Dead Alive'. it's a screen shot from the movie. The tattoo only took about 2 and a half ...

Black and Gray Tattoo  Not rated yet
It took 2 hours.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos , erotic ...

Beautiful Black and Gray Tattoo  Not rated yet
It took 2 hours ...

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos ...

Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
This is a gods warrior tattoo done by David and Dragons Den Too in Augusta,GA...hes such a great artist. It took about 3 and a half hours to do it.

Popular ...

Prison Tattoo  Not rated yet
Iron cross with skull and S.D.M.F it stands for strength, determination, merciless, forever.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Black and Gray Tattoo  Not rated yet
Butterflies on my lower leg to my foot with my mom's name in it. It took 3 1/2 hours done by Keith McCabe.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos ...

Collection of Tattoo Art  Not rated yet
i started off just getting a collection of tattoos that i liked and that meant something in the larger scheme of my life. got those done at Yonge Street ...

Ohm Tattoo  Not rated yet
I had a piece of flash for about a dozen years stashed in my desk drawer. so just before i got my phoenix done i had this piece done my a new artist at ...

Phoenix Tattoo  Not rated yet
got it done at new age tattoos and piercing in Toronto, Ontario, by Alex - the mad Russian. took two sittings and about two hours. i wasn't in a rush to ...

Image of Christ Tattoo  Not rated yet
This tattoo took us around 5hrs & is one of our studio's most favorite tattoo's.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos ...

Koi Fish Tattoo  Not rated yet
MY tattoo of a koi fish. It took 90 mins. The artist was I.STYLES from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Love and Hate Tattoo  Not rated yet
I like to think there's a thin line between love and hate so I got it tatted on me one way says LOVE and upside down it says HATE. My dude B.J. Deshazo ...

Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
This tattoo took 4 hours to complete in one sitting,
it was by Steve at the ink well County Durham approx 4 years ago!

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel ...

Sun Tattoo  Not rated yet
A sun and face done at Nutatu Neath. Took 2 hours. I explained that i wanted a face on it as I have a thing for faces not sure why and also a thing with ...

Black and Grey Rose Tattoo  Not rated yet
This took 2 and a half hours, and was done by the homie jon harrington. a bad ass artist.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and ...

Awesome Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
Reptiles, insects, amphibians sleeve in progress. Tattoo work done by Marcus (Ark City,KS).

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
Moths by tattoo artist Marcus (Ark City,KS)

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic ...

Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
Tattoo is of a black and grey skeleton pirate that covers up a moth that I have done myself on my thigh. Tattoo artist is from MO.

Popular Tattoo ...

Devil Tattoo  Not rated yet
Devil...,2 hrs, Poloy...

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos ...

Angel Tattoo  Not rated yet
Angel with arms out in front of him, head up and eyes shut, guiding you on your path. This took me about 1 hour to complete.

Popular Tattoo Designs ...

Free Hand Tattoo  Not rated yet
got bored one night ...

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos ...

Black and Gray Ink  Not rated yet
This tattoo was done by James Brennan a self taught artist. It is a Liverpool liverbird. It took 2 and half hours. Feedback from the tattoo was described ...

Joker Tattoo  Not rated yet
Its just a simple joker. It took about 3hours the artist is from Philippines..

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos ...

Script Tattoo on Foot  Not rated yet

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos , erotic tattoos , heart ...

Black and Grey Tattoo  Not rated yet
THE ART SPEAKS FOR ITSELF ..TOOK 1HR 45 MINUTES. COLUMBUS MISSISSIPPI WEB PAGE OF SOME OTHER TATS OF MINE ON MYSPACE.COM/19THREE18

Popular Tattoo ...

Cartoon Tattoo  Not rated yet
It's good what can I say!

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon ...

Religious Tattoo  Not rated yet
It is on my foot, took about an hour, but it was in the 3 sittings. the top of the foot is so painful but it was totally worth it. I get a lot of compliments ...

Black and Grey Religous Tattoo  Not rated yet
Praying hands with 'Only God Can Judge Me' written around it. It took 3 hours in a shop in Bayonne NJ by an old school tattoo artist Tattoo Todd.

Popular ...

Memorial Tattoo  Not rated yet

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black and gray tattoos , butterfly tattoos , celtic tattoos , dragon tattoos , erotic tattoos , heart ...

Tribal Tattoo Design  Not rated yet
Tribal swirls, 5 hours. Done at 'Borderline Tattoo on the Gold Coast Queensland, Australia.

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos , black ...

Religious Tattoo Design  Not rated yet
NOSSO TRABALHO É SIMPLES MAS FEITO COM MUITA DEDICAÇÃO E ESTAMOS APRENDENDO A CADA DIA QUE PASSA FORTE ABRAÇO A TODOS VISITE NOSSO SITE OFICIAL www....

Black and Gray Tattoo  Not rated yet
Sad Happy Life wit two demon clowns the reason i got them is becuase sum people r sad sum people r happy thats life it took like 45 min and hour including ...

Black and Gray Tattoo  Not rated yet
Good the tattoo was I throw with machine throws in house and I have been 2 days in finishing it were 2 days without resting neither the tatuador as much ...

Black and Gray Mermaid Tattoo  Not rated yet
Mermaid and ship framed in a palm tree. Took about 4.5 hours to do. by Ralphy at he nuclear crayon in Springfield, Mass.

Popular Tattoo Designs ...

See more black and gray tattoos

Popular Tattoo Designs
angel tattoos, black and gray tattoos, butterfly tattoos, celtic tattoos, dragon tattoos, erotic tattoos, heart tattoos, female tattoos, flower tattoos, Japanese tattoos, kanji tattoos, lower-back tattoos, religious tattoos, rose tattoos, star tattoos, tribal tattoos