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Do you intend to get an instrument tattoo design soon? Maybe you would like to check these mandolin tattoo designs for some inspiration!
Bored of the usual guitar and violin?
Time to go a little offbeat and opt for a mandolin. Mandolin as an instrument, by itself, is versatile even in terms of design, giving artists a lot of room to work with.
Music is the means to express yourself without a word. Mandolins have evolved through time, as well as through different genres of music. From the Neopolitan mandolins for European Classical music to the Archtop ones for American folk music and bluegrass music, mandolins changed in their features over time. If getting a real mandolin might be a bit too expensive for you to buy, why not settle for a tattoo for now? The great part about it is that the tattoo comes with a permanent shelf life.
Hilly Billy Cat Tattoo
This tattoo expresses the love for music in a simple but interesting image. Instead of Presley with his bass or guitar, we have an actual cat, strumming a note on the mandolin with other band members. We have an orange cat like Garfield, though not as gluttonous, with sparkling eyes and perked up ears. The cat is depicted to be extremely happy with joy as they play and dance to their music. It reminds us of the musicians in the town square, with the crowd gathered around, and dancing merrily in circles. As an ingenious detail, the cat is wearing a dungaree, adding to that old town feeling. The tattoo is perfect for someone who likes the element of wonder mixed with the love for music.
Weber Fern Mandolin Flower Tattoo
This body art requires a real mandolin expert to appreciate all the little details done on the tattoo design. The tattoo can be done either on the leg, or your arm and can be treated as a half sleeve tattoo. Because of this, it can also work great as a cover-up tattoo. Coming to the elements on the drawing that makes this a masterpiece. The colours are used such that, the light seems to reflect from the surface of the wood. Upon closer inspection, a shadow falls under the strings, giving the tattoo even more depth. Even the fret markings on the mandolin are very clear. An initial is a final touch, to mark this realistic mandolin as your own. While the flowers in the tattoo are just as attractive, you can choose your favourite kind or something with a special meaning for your tattoo idea.
World In Mandolin Tattoo
Does the soft and melodious sound of the mandolin mean the world to you? That is what this tattoo tries to express. Unlike the typical wooden fretboard, the artist creates a picture of branches growing. Inside the body of the mandolin, we can find a picturesque view of the mountains. We dig how the mandolin looks like an ecology in itself, sending the message, that it holds the entire world in those strings. This tattoo covers the entire length of your arm. The wooden surface is made more realistic with the help of white highlighting. Otherwise, it is a complete work of nothing but black ink. Hence, to nail that sketch-like effect, the skill of an experienced artist is required.
Jester Tattoo
Now we step back into the old Elizabethan period. When clowns do not quite cut the deal, the wit of jesters will. This arm tattoo plays with the grayscale, along with red accents. There is a bright red geometric circle in the background, which looks like it could be the portal to a parallel universe. The jester faces sideways, relaxed. Although the figure appears to be sitting on something, the person is suspended midair without any extra support. The jester has the classic Neopolitan mandolin, to accompany his routine. Even with the absence of colours, the garish costume of the jester does not fail to catch our notice.
Symbolic Mandolin Tattoo
If this is your first time getting inked, or if you are scared of needles, you should be choosing this minimalistic design. Instead of images of mandolin, the tattoo only uses the pattern engraved at the top, along with the name of the mandolin, to create the mandolin in the mind. Since this tattoo does not call for any complicated inking, you can expect to get this done in a single day, only in a few hours. Besides, it is like having a little secret. Only a few will be able to crack this puzzle.
Rose And Cards Tattoo
Here we can find another half sleeve tattoo. The tattoo has three distinct elements. First is the focus of the tattoo, the Weber Fern mandolin, in its original, beautiful wooden shade. Next, we quickly notice the roses around the mandolin, big and prominent, and of course, red. This very nicely goes with the third element, that is, the cards. Finally, a dainty hand with painted nails can be seen, holding the cards. All of these together, make us think of a jamming session with the mandolin. Deft use of colours help to accentuate the tattoo with shading and highlighting, and most importantly, an effortless blending without any error.
Frog Playing Mandolin Tattoo
This picture captures a moment from everybody’s childhood reminding us of the fairytales we used to read in books. The detailing of colour on the frog’s body is impeccable. The frog can be seen leaning against a mushroom, using the same as a seat. The little boater hat on top of the frog’s head makes us squeal. Typical of many in the countryside, the frog even has a little straw in its mouth, as it holds the mandolin in one hand. Behind this simple design, frogs stand for abundance and metamorphosis. It can be used to indicate a big change in someone’s life.
Gypsy Woman Tattoo
This tattoo demands good time and energy. So, make sure to book your appointment date in advance, and be prepared for possibly more than one session. The artist does a great job at making the contemplative features on the woman’s face come to life. Looking at her, many questions form in our minds. Who is she, and what is she doing here? Is her suffering the cause for that one iconic teardrop? She wears vibrant clothes and seems to be making her living by playing her mandolin. With the flowers, the design feels complete.
Colourful Mandolin Tattoo
This tattoo idea knows its priorities straight. The attention on this piece, of course, goes to the Weber Fern Mandolin. It takes us back to the Bluegrass music from the old days. The piece may look simple, but the intricate details on it are worth applauding. With the different hues, the tattooist tries their best to recreate a realistic light reflection on the body of the mandolin. Around the instrument, we see bright flowers. At the top, a satchel with initials is added to give that final touch of personalisation.
Monochrome Tattoo
Simple but impactful, that is the motto for this tattoo. The mandolin may look too similar to a bass guitar with the intricacies blurred out, but a true musician will recognise the Weber Fern. This tattoo gives you room for customisation when it comes to the length of the tattoo. Since it is a single piece, you can spread it over your arm, or make the tattoo tiny enough to fit on your neck. To make the piece stand apart, the tattoo is complete with a watercolour effect, giving added depth to the design.
There are too many instruments in the orchestra to pick one for yourself, we get it. Although, as long as you have the skin, why hesitate the ink?
With so many answers to one tattoo question, the choice got difficult for us as well. Hence, we just have to mention a few more designs:
- Heart-shaped mandolin tattoo
- Broken mandolin tattoo
- Bill Monroe playing mandolin tattoo.
- Mandolin as a ship sailing in summer tattoo.
Feature image from Pinterest
