CONTEST CATEGORY DEFINITIONS: SMALL BLACK & GREY

HEALED SMALL BLACK AND GREY TATTOO

Definition: A fully healed black and grey tattoo that measures 8x8 inches or smaller in any direction, showcasing mastery of monochromatic shading, contrast, and tonal work without the use of color pigments.

Requirements & Guidelines:

Size Specifications:

Maximum dimension: 8x8 inches in height, width, or diameter
Minimum size: 1 inch (to ensure adequate detail visibility)

Healing Requirements:

Tattoo must be completely healed (minimum 4-6 weeks post-completion)
No scabbing, peeling, or signs of fresh tattooing
Skin texture should be normalized with no raised areas
Even healing across all shaded areas

Black and Grey Criteria:

Exclusively black ink with grey wash/shading techniques
No color pigments permitted (pure monochromatic work)
OPAQUE GREYS are considered COLOR. If your tattoo is made up of more than 25% Opaques, enter it in COLOR.
Must demonstrate range of tonal values from solid black to light grey
Clean gradients and smooth transitions between tones

Technical Standards:

Precise linework with consistent line weight
Masterful shading techniques (stippling, smooth wash, whip shading)
Proper contrast ratios creating depth and dimension
Clean highlights and deep shadows
No muddy or inconsistent grey tones
No technical flaws (blowouts, patchy shading, inconsistent saturation)

Artistic Composition:

Strong use of light and shadow
Proper contrast to create visual impact
Clean composition within size constraints
Effective use of negative space

Submission Requirements:

Both Client and Artist must be in attendance.
Artist must be registered with the show and in a Booth.
If a coverup, Detail shots showing the details

Judging Criteria:

Shading technique and execution
Contrast and tonal range
Technical precision
Artistic composition
Overall healing quality
Adherence to size requirements
Mastery of black and grey medium