Tattoo Design Tattoo Introduction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ancient civilization used tattooing as a medical treatment, applying ink over joints and along the spine?
- Ancient Greeks
- Ancient Egyptians
- Ötzi the Iceman's culture (Correct answer)
- Ancient Romans
Correct answer: Ötzi the Iceman's culture
Ötzi the Iceman, found preserved in the Alps, had 61 tattoos believed to be therapeutic, placed over arthritic joints.
Question 2: What does the term 'tattoo' most likely derive from?
- The Latin word 'tactus' meaning touch
- The Polynesian word 'tatau' meaning to mark (Correct answer)
- The Greek word 'tatto' meaning permanent
- The Japanese word 'tatsu' meaning dragon
Correct answer: The Polynesian word 'tatau' meaning to mark
The word 'tattoo' is widely accepted to derive from the Polynesian word 'tatau,' introduced to Western vocabulary by Captain James Cook after his 1769 voyage.
Question 3: In traditional Japanese tattooing (Tebori), what tool is used to insert ink into the skin?
- An electric rotary machine
- A coil machine with needles
- A wooden or metal handle with attached needles inserted by hand (Correct answer)
- A laser device
Correct answer: A wooden or metal handle with attached needles inserted by hand
Tebori uses a wooden or metal handle with needles at the tip, manually pushed into the skin in a poking motion rather than using electric machines.
Question 4: Which tattoo style is characterized by bold black outlines, limited color palette, and iconic imagery like anchors, roses, and swallows?
- Realism
- Blackwork
- Traditional (Old School) (Correct answer)
- Neo-Traditional
Correct answer: Traditional (Old School)
Traditional or Old School tattooing features thick black outlines, a limited bold color palette, and classic nautical and folk imagery popularized in the early 20th century.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a tattoo stencil?
- To sterilize the skin before tattooing
- To transfer the design outline onto the client's skin as a guide (Correct answer)
- To mix ink colors to the correct consistency
- To measure needle depth during the session
Correct answer: To transfer the design outline onto the client's skin as a guide
A stencil transfers a design outline onto the skin using a thermal copier or freehand drawing, giving the artist a precise guide to follow.
Question 6: Which layer of skin must tattoo ink reach to create a permanent tattoo?
- Epidermis
- Dermis (Correct answer)
- Hypodermis
- Subcutaneous layer
Correct answer: Dermis
Ink must be deposited in the dermis, the second layer of skin; ink in the epidermis fades quickly as cells shed, while the dermis retains it long-term.
Question 7: What is 'blowout' in tattooing?
- An allergic reaction causing swelling
- Ink spreading beneath the skin beyond the intended design lines (Correct answer)
- A technique for creating soft shaded edges
- The process of removing old tattoo ink
Correct answer: Ink spreading beneath the skin beyond the intended design lines
Blowout occurs when ink is pushed too deep into the skin or at the wrong angle, causing it to spread into the surrounding tissue and blur the design lines.
Tattoo Design Tattoo Introduction 2
Which ancient civilization used tattooing as a medical treatment, applying ink over joints and along the spine?