Planning a Leg Tattoo: Which View Should Carry the Main Subject?

A face that looks complete on a flat drawing can disappear around the side of a calf. For a large leg tattoo, choose the view where the main subject should be clearest. The rest of the design can continue around the leg from there.

How do you choose the main angle?

Think about the position in which you will normally see the tattoo and the view other people are likely to encounter. Then compare that preference with the shape of the calf or thigh. A face placed too far around a curve may split between views when you wanted one complete expression.

William's Special Operations Soldier places the large skull-faced figure above smaller military imagery. Compare the full-leg photograph with the closer views to see how much each crop leaves out. The gallery also includes a photograph William has identified as healed.

What belongs around the side?

Supporting textures, background and secondary objects can connect the main subject to other parts of the leg. They still need a purpose. If the whole project contains several large faces, establish which one leads in each view rather than making them all compete from the same position.

Bring photographs taken from the front, side and back if existing tattoos need to be incorporated. Mark the part of the design that matters most. A large project can have several good views without making every detail visible at the same time.

Comparing the healed view

A healed photograph lets you see the same tattoo at a later stage. Compare it with the other views, allowing for changes in lighting and angle. William has not supplied an elapsed healing time for this image, so it should not be used as a timeline for another project.

Bring the full placement into your consultation in Tulsa. A front view alone may leave important parts of the plan out of sight.