Step 1:

Star by drawing a couple of curvy lines like in sample 1.  Then depending on how thick you want your tribal tattoos to be, double up the lines like in sample 2.

Step 2:

Now add more curves and spikes if you wish like in sample 3.  Once your happy with your design draw over it using a fine line pen like in sample 4.

Step 3:

Now you’re ready to fill it in however you like.

Step 1:

A lower back tattoo is symmetrical so you need to start by designing one half of the drawing first.  Start by sketching a vertical line like in sample 1 and then draw a curvy line on one side of it.  Sample 2 shows the same curvy line but with more detail.

Step 2:

Feel free to draw your design however you like, I’ve chosen to stick with something simple for this guide just to make it easier.

Step 3:

Once your happy with your design flip it so you have the same design on the opposite side but mirrored.  A simple way to do this is to use tracing paper.

Step 4:

When it comes to tattoos I personally believe the simple designs work best, but feel free to add as much detail as you like, go crazy and have fun with your lower back tattoos!!

Step 1:

Start by drawing a circle and oblong shapes for the thumb and fingers like in sample 1 below.  Once we have our basic guide down we can mark out where the fingers will go like in sample 2.

Step 2:

With your guide in place you can now start to add detail, you can use your own hand for reference.

Step 3:

Now all you need to do now is shade it in like below.

Start by drawing an tall thin oval like shape like in sample 1.  This will be our guide and our flames will be worked on the inside of it.  Sample 2 shows how the flames can be added.  Just add a few squiggles like I’ve done here in sample 2 but make sure they start at the bottom and work upwards.

Step 2:

Now start to double up your lines like in sample 3.  As you can see in sample 4 the squiggles are starting to look more like flames.

Step 3:

Once your happy with your flames erase the oval guide and all unwanted marks.  Then go over it with a fine line pen or darker pencil and start to add color.

Step 4:

A good tip when coloring is to make the tips of the flames yellow and the very bottom of the flames red.

Step 1:

The basic shape of an eye is oval so start by drawing an oval shape like in sample 1.  Then position where the iris and pupil will go like in sample 2.

Step 2:

Now you’re ready to add the eyelids and eyelashes like in sample 3 and 4.

Step 3:

Once you’re happy with your drawing lightly erase all unwanted lines and then go over it again either with a sharp darker pencil or a fine line pen.

Step 4:

Now shade it in however you like.  For realistic effect don’t forget to make a small part near the pupil white like below.  You can achieve this by just using an eraser.

Step 1:

A wolfs face is kind of like a diamond shape. Sketch a similar shape to sample 1 and make sure to include the ears. Sample 2 shows how this guide is used to map out the face.

Step 2:

Once happy with the general layout you can now start to add some fur and erase all unwanted marks..

Step 3:

Draw over the wolf again with a darker tone after you’ve erased all unwanted pencil marks. Once happy begin shading your wolf.

Step 4:

I chose to stick with black and grey for the rendering but you should feel free to use color if you wish.

For this guide I have chosen to use a symmetrical design, so start by drawing a vertical line and then work a design on one side of it.  Start by drawing two ovals, the top one being the largest like in sample 1.  Once you have your basic butterfly shaped wings down you can now start to make up a design within and around it like in sample 2 below.

Step 2:

Go crazy and have fun with it! I like my tribal butterfly tattoos spikey and sharp with curls like below in sample 3, you may have a different idea in mind.

Step 3:

Then once you’re happy with your design trace over it and flip it like in sample 5 below.

Step 4:

Now render it however you like.

Start by sketching a large oval shape with a smaller oval shape in the upper middle like in sample 1 below.  The large oval indicates the mane whereas the smaller oval is our guide for the lions face.  The small circles are for the ears.

Step 2:

Once you’re happy with your lion you are now ready to erase all unwanted marks and draw over the lion again with a darker pencil like in sample 4.

Step 3:

Now shade it in however you like, I chose to stick with black and grey for this guide.

Before we add detail we need to understand how a koi fish is made up.  Sample 1 below shows a general guide to start you off with.  Once you have this guide down your ready to start adding detail.

Step 2:

Now start to add extra details like the scales, eye and feelers like in sample 3.  Once happy with your drawing erase the guide.

Step 3:

Sample 5 shows the koi fish drawn in fine line pen.  I always prefer to use pen for the outline but you can use a darker pencil if you wish.  In sample 6 I’ve started to add some shading.

Step 4:

Koi fish are very colorful but for this guide I chose to use black and grey.  So feel free to add lots of color to your fish if you wish. Have fun with it!

Start by sketching an arc/semi circle shape like in sample 1 below.  Then start to add triangular shapes for the fins and tail like in sample 2.

Step 2:

Once you have your general guide down you can start to add detail like below.

Step 3:

Once you’re happy with your dolphin lightly erase all unwanted marks and go over it again using a darker pencil or fine line pen like in sample 5.  Once this is done your ready for the fun part, shading!

Step 4:

I haven’t it shown it here but for extra effect try adding a few splashes of pencil marks below the dolphin.  This will give the impression that its jumping out of water.