Original Tattoo Art & Design Concepts by Rufina Shteynberg
All tattoo design work shown below is a proof of concept and ‘flash’ is for visualization only.
People have always found ways to express who they are through what can be seen—clothing, hair, jewelry, makeup, and countless other visual choices. Tattoos take this expression much further. They become part of the body and can carry a memory, an idea, a belief, a relationship, or simply an image that a person wants to live with for the rest of their life.
I am fascinated by the collaboration between the person who imagines a tattoo and the tattoo artist who makes that vision a reality. A great tattoo is not simply an image transferred onto skin; it is a personal piece of art shaped by the individual, the original design, the placement on the body, and the hand of the tattoo artist.
I would love to bring my own drawings and original designs into this process. Many of my images begin as pencil drawings and later transform into linogravure, Hanko prints, or other forms. I am interested in seeing them transform again—this time into original tattoo art.
My goal is to collaborate with tattoo artists who can interpret and adapt my designs for the human body while preserving the character of the original artwork. Together, we can create something that is not mass-produced or selected from a catalog, but personal, unusual, and unique to the person who will carry it.
For me, this is another form of printmaking—except the final image is not printed on paper. It becomes part of a person and their story.
A sample of Rufina Shteynberg’s original pencil drawing morphing into a proof of concept for a bicep tattoo with intricate line work. The final tattoo could be rendered in full color or blue ink.
A sample of Rufina Shteynberg’s original pencil drawing morphing into a proof of concept for a upper thigh tattoo with intricate line work. The final tattoo could be rendered in full color or blue ink.
A sample of Rufina Shteynberg’s original pencil drawing morphing into a proof of concept for a large tattoo covering their back, featuring multiple sketched portraits of women, a bird person with feathers, and elements of abstract art.
A sample of Rufina Shteynberg’s original pencil drawing morphing into a proof of concept for a tattoo on a person's hand featuring a genie lamp with a wisp of smoke, a dragon, and various abstract and tribal designs in blue ink.
A sample of Rufina Shteynberg’s original pencil drawing morphing into a proof of concept for blue line tattoo surrounded by decorative elements and floral patterns, on person's upper arm.
Colorful tattoo of a whimsical animal creature with a large eye, a round face, a long flowing tail, and intricate patterns on its body, inked on a person's lower leg by Rufina Shteynberg. Proof of concept.
Tattoo of a stylized panther with blue, orange, and red details on a woman's upper chest by printmaker Rufina Shteynberg.
A woman with dark hair styled in a loose updo has a black tribal-style tattoo of a tiger and three birds on her upper back and shoulder.
A tattoo of a mythical woman-like figure with orange wings on the back of a person's neck.