Which Way Should an Animal Tattoo Face?

Which way should the animal look? Start with what sits beside it and how the tattoo will appear when your body is relaxed. There is no direction that suits every animal portrait; the gaze is part of the composition.

What does the gaze connect to?

A face looking toward another subject creates a different relationship from one looking beyond the design. In a paired composition, inward glances can bring the subjects together. In an independent portrait, the direction may instead follow the body's movement or leave space in front of the face.

William's Lion & cub places an adult lion above a smaller cub. Comparing the views helps show that the relationship involves more than stacking two faces. Their expressions, relative scale and position within the surrounding mane all affect how you read the pair.

Should a reference photograph be mirrored?

Mirroring may help a layout, but check whether it changes a detail that matters. A pet's distinctive marking, an asymmetric scar or an intended relationship with another tattoo could end up on the wrong side. Tell the artist which features must stay accurate before discussing a reversed image.

For a limb placement, view the proposed direction with the limb relaxed. The most appealing orientation in a photograph of someone posing may not match the way you normally see your own tattoo.

Do front-facing animals avoid the decision?

They reduce one kind of direction choice, but still have an orientation and a relationship to the surrounding design. The tilt of the head, position of the eyes and shape of the mane can all guide attention.

Discuss the direction with William alongside the placement, especially if the animal will sit beside an existing tattoo.