tattoo old school

Old School (also "Old Skool" or "Traditional") refers to a Western or traditional Americana tattoo style featuring bold, blue-black outlines, usually filled with solid red and green with rare additions of blue, yellow, brown and purple; and embellished with little or no shading. Norman Keith Collins, also known as "Sailor Jerry", (1911–1973) is one of the most well known traditional tattoo artists.
Old school tattoo designs are some of my favorites. Tattoos have become so popular in today’s culture and the old school styles remind me of a time when tattoos were only for a select rebellious few. But how do you find old school designs that look original? Here are some things to consider that will help you find what’s right for you… and cut down your time looking.
hiver me what? You want an old school tattoo? Long before Ed Hardy came into the scene there was a mighty sailor who left a permanent mark on the tattoo industry. Sailor Jerry, also known as Norman Keith Collins, was a rugged man with a pipe and a penchant for inking Asian-inspired designs depicting life at sea. Born in 1911, Norman Collins learned the art of tattooing at a young age as he hopped freight trains before finally enlisting in the Navy at 19.

Sailor Jerry kept penpals and played the saxophone in addition to his creative tattoo work. As he remained close with Japanese tattoo masters throughout his career, his artistic and accurate hand led many average men into the world of body art. Clad with bottles of booze, women and wild cats, old school tattoos were tough and made their colorful way mainstream.