Paul Talbot Graphic Tattoos. Wearable art with teeth. Graphic tattoos, bold composition, and pieces shaped to anatomy at This Is Ours To Destroy.

Graphic tattoos are a modern tattoo style that deliberately breaks away from traditional techniques. Instead of realistic renderings or soft shading, this style focuses on graphic design elements: clean lines, strong contrast, solid areas, and often abstract or minimal forms.

Depending on how broadly or narrowly you define “graphic design,” a lot of art movements sit under that banner. Some people still try to split design from “art”. Like, anything made to carry someone else’s message (a brand, a group, a church, a client) can’t be the real thing.

Paul Talbot graphic tattoos live right there, in that tension.

Because tattooing is commissioned, sure, but it doesn’t have to be compromised. The point isn’t to become a human printer for other people’s ideas. The point is to take something chosen and turn it into something true. Art, customised. Built from the graphic language of shape, contrast and composition. But, made to carry an actual life message, not a marketing slogan.