How to Find the Perfect Reference Ideas for Your Next Tattoo (Without Getting Lost Online)
So you’re thinking about your next tattoo—awesome! Whether you know exactly what you want or you’re still figuring it out, collecting reference images is a great place to start. But here’s a tip that might surprise you: try leaving the word tattoo out of your search.
Why? Because once you add “tattoo” to your search terms, you’re only seeing what’s already been done. That can be great for style inspiration or to see how something might sit on the body, but if you’re after something more unique or personal, you’re better off starting with art.
? Step-by-Step: How to Search for Art-Based References
If you’re not familiar with how to find images online, no worries—this guide is for you.
1. Start Simple
Instead of typing something like “rose tattoo”, try searching for:
“botanical rose illustration”
“watercolor rose painting”
“black and grey rose drawing”
“engraving style rose art”
This opens up a whole world of unique artwork that could inspire a completely custom tattoo design—one that hasn’t already been copied and pasted a hundred times.
2. Use the “Images” Tab
Once you search in Google, click on the Images tab at the top of the results. This is where all the pictures live.
3. Avoid Tiny Thumbnails
Look for larger images that are clear and detailed. Tiny or pixelated images can be hard for your tattooer to interpret or use for reference. When you click on an image:
If it opens up larger and still looks sharp, great!
If it stays small or gets blurry, try finding a better-quality version.
Tip: You can click “Tools” under the search bar and then choose “Size” → “Large” to filter out the low-res stuff.
? Bonus Tip: Use Open-Source Image Libraries
If you’re looking for beautiful, high-quality art without worrying about copyright or weird AI edits, check out open-source image sites like:
These platforms offer free, royalty-free images—many created by real artists and photographers. Just search for themes like “mythical creatures,” “Japanese wave art,” “sacred geometry,” or whatever you’re into. These sites are also a great place to find background elements, textures, or mood-setting visuals to build your reference collection.
? A Note on AI Art (If You’d Rather Avoid It)
AI-generated art is popping up more and more in image searches. It can look really cool at first glance—but it often has weird proportions, strange details, or just feels a little… off. If you’re looking for human-made art only, here are a few ways to steer clear of AI art:
Search specifically for “traditional painting,” “etching,” “ink on paper,” “sketch,” or “museum artwork.”
Add keywords like “vintage,” “antique,” “historic,” or “hand-drawn.”
Use sites like Behance, DeviantArt, or Pinterest where artists tag their work and you can often find the original source.
⚡️ For the Advanced Searchers…
Already know how to navigate Google Images like a pro? Try these:
Use reverse image search (right-click an image and select “Search image with Google”) to find better versions of the same pic.
Explore art-specific databases like Wikimedia Commons or The Met’s digital collection.
Try using image boards and search filters on Pinterest to create mood boards or style collections.
? Final Tip: Bring What You Love
Whether it’s a piece of a painting, a screenshot from a movie, a sketch from a book, or a photo you took on vacation—it’s all valid. We’ll help translate it into something tattooable, unique, and personal to you.
So don’t stress about finding “the perfect tattoo reference.” Just start collecting what speaks to you—and we’ll take it from there.
Let me know if you’d like this formatted into a PDF download, or if you want to link clients to a curated art resource list or inspiration board. Always happy to help build it out!