Tattoos are a form of self-expression widely loved and popularized all over the world. However, getting a tattoo is a huge commitment. While some tattoos are deeply meaningful, others are made for aesthetics alone. From a purely artistic perspective, tattoos that shift and transform with every move are truly immersive works of art. Here are some captivating tattoos with hidden secrets.
Bite Me
Tattoos, much like pictures, are often static. There’s no easy way to depict movement in tattoo form. However, some genius artists manage to make incredibly dynamic pieces utilizing the placement of the tattoo.
Here’s an amazing example of a moving tattoo featuring some sassy lips and vampire fangs. While the tattoo itself looks great, the main feature is only revealed when the person bends their arm. Due to the strategic placement of this tattoo, it seems as if the mouth is opening and closing with each move.
Lime Squeeze
While some people prefer highly detailed works of art on their bodies, others have simpler choices. These days, mini tattoos with minimal color and details are in fashion.
Following that style, this tattoo of a little green lime isn’t too noticeable. In fact, it might have been quite boring if it wasn’t for the placement. As the person flexes their arm, you can witness this static tattoo turning into much more. The overall effect is that of squeezing a lime. Pretty cool!
Spread Your Wings
When it comes to tattoos that make the most of movement, there are countless possibilities. However, one of the most popular tattoo formats features an animal displaying its wings.
The first example we have in this insect category is this gorgeously delicate ladybug. This tattoo uses the technique of stippling or dot work to create a complex design. The tattoo transforms based on the position of the arm. When the arm is straight you get a glimpse of what lies beneath the outer wings.
Double Perspectives
This tattoo uses symmetry and contrast to create a truly remarkable end result. From one side, it may simply look like a regular butterfly tattoo.
However, when the arm is fully extended, you get to see the full extent of the artistry. The tattoo opens up to reveal a detailed Japanese mask. The mask uses bright red linework that contrasts perfectly with the black and white tones of the butterfly.
Eyes Wide Open
Here’s another intricate tattoo that depicts an insect with some more abstract ideas. Instead of being a completely realistic rendition, it adds some really interesting visual elements as well.
This tattoo is placed near the knee joint instead of the elbow. When the person’s knee is bent, you can only see a single eye peeking through. As soon as the person stands straight, you’ll be able to see the insect in all its glory. The change in position of the beetle’s legs also creates an illusion of movement.
Flying Trapeze Artists
After the usual jaws and insects, here’s a completely unique concept that fits right into this format. This tattoo showcases two trapeze artists seemingly flying in the air.
The way it’s executed is honestly stunning. While the tattoo isn’t incredibly detailed, it shows us all we need to see. Whenever the person bends their knee, we can see the two artists joining hands in mid-air. This is a breathtaking piece that’s just filled with flow, movement, and emotion. Also notice that small circle that alludes to the trapeze artist’s ring.
Real-Life Fossil
It’s difficult to imagine how creatures as amazing as dinosaurs lived on the same Earth many years ago. This makes dinosaurs an object of fascination and obsession.
Clearly, this person loves dinosaurs as well because this giant tattoo is not only super detailed but it actually moves! The position of the dinosaur’s neck and the way it’s made turns this mere tattoo into a live fossil. Even if you’re not big on dinosaur remains, you can still appreciate this awesome work of art.
Up or Down
Sometimes simple techniques can give results far beyond our expectations. This tattoo utilizes the most simple perspective change of all. Most tattoos make no sense when they’re upside down. This artist decided to challenge that norm.
The tattoo itself features a skull and a gothic mansion, which might be ordinary on its own. But to take it to the next level, the artist gave it two perspectives. Whether you look at the tattoo from the top or the bottom, you’ll be able to make sense of it.
Fossil Fuel
People who’re into paleontology will love this tattoo depicting a dinosaur skull. It seems like this person grew up on a lot of dinosaur films which turned into a passion. Or perhaps they just find the dinosaur skull cool. It’s a lot like having your favorite dinosaur come to life!
The tattoo is placed very cleverly on the person’s hand. This position allows the dinosaur’s jaw to open and shut whenever the person moves their thumb. This is not only a cool tattoo but a pretty neat party trick too!
Cup of Joe
Coffee lovers will know the joy of tasting and smelling a beautiful blend. For a lot of people, the day begins and ends with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
While some people go for inferior instant coffee, others are very particular about their brews. This tattoo depicts a very particular way of making coffee. It’s clear that the person is highly attached to their beloved coffee and the way they make it. Whether you love coffee or not, seeing this tattoo in action would be a treat.
Cool Creature
Tattoos don’t always have to depict something that exists in reality. In fact, a lot of tattoo artists specialize in creating fantastical designs from their imagination. Instead of being copied from somewhere, these are original designs by accomplished artists.
Such is the case with this creature that reminds us a lot of a weird, short-legged shark. When the arm is bent, all you can see is the non-threatening profile. However, when the arm opens up, you get a peek at the razor-sharp teeth that hide underneath.
Taking Flight
We’ve already seen a great example of how insects such as beetles are commonly used as transformative tattoos. Perhaps it’s because they are perfect for this hide and reveal format.
This tattoo also showcases a beetle done in grayscale. The beetle is rendered to perfection with all the right details. And while you may be impressed by this alone, the real showstopper is the full picture. Whenever the person extends their arm, the beetle spreads its wings and prepares to take flight.
Joint Bone
It is clear that tattoo artists have a certain formula when it comes to these moving tattoos. Most of them are located near a joint that moves frequently. This gives it the dynamic moving element that captivates attention.
Here, we can see the tattoo of a fossil that’s placed right on the elbow joint. The minimalist tattoo might not be too detailed but the effect is the same. The clever placement makes it a bit of an optical illusion that people can have some fun noticing.
Power Tools
Most people would agree that tools aren’t all that exciting. However, for someone who uses tools on an everyday basis to create things, it might be a passion.
Having a boring old tattoo of some pliers wouldn’t be too exciting. Instead, this client and tattoo artist made the right call with a dynamic tattoo. This tattoo is placed near the knee as well so whenever the person moves around, you can see his precious tool opening and closing as well.
A Splash of Color
Don’t get us wrong, greyscale tattoos can look incredibly realistic and minimalist. But there’s just something about a little splash of color that grabs your attention even more. That’s why colorful tattoos pack an even bigger punch.
We present to you a transformative tattoo that’s actually colorful. This is no ordinary beetle. The true face of this magical beetle is only unearthed when the person moves their arm. Instead of just the inner wings, this beetle hides a classic Japanese mask under its outer wings.
Less Is More
Sometimes, less is more. That’s probably what the person with this tattoo had in mind. Minimalist tattoos are all the rage but this person just took it to the next level.
This tattoo is pretty straightforward. It displays a stick figure with a little trampoline beneath it. The interesting placement makes it so that the stickman appears to be jumping every time the hand moves. While this tattoo may not be for everyone, it’ll surely make you do a double-take.
White Rabbit
White rabbits have been closely associated with magic for a long time. Think back to the magician that pulled out some white rabbits from his hat - the fantasy tale of Alice in Wonderland cemented this role even further.
This person took the infamous white rabbit from that story and turned it into something truly wonderful. This creepy yet enchanting tattoo features a white rabbit with a horn. The ears of the rabbit are made in such a way that they appear to be in motion.
Monster Teeth
It’s common to see people with tattoos of their loved one’s names, some animal, or a pop culture reference. How often do you see a tattoo that is truly unique and terrifying?
This one ticks all the boxes for us. Not only is it horribly intricate, but it also hides a dark secret. Whenever the person stands up or stretches their leg, the monster reveals its sharp teeth to the world. Despite being black and white, this moving monster seems all too real!
The Hidden Door
Speaking of creative but scary tattoos, here’s another one. While generally, the moon may be stunning in all its glory, this moon has a very sinister expression that we don’t appreciate. Judging by that smile and the cheeky look in its eye, we can tell this moon is up to no good.
If the creepy expression wasn’t enough, the moon hides an even creepier secret. Whenever the legs move, we are subjected to the sight of a darkened doorway with stairs leading upwards. The whole thing actually makes a pupil. This definitely deserves five stars for creativity!
Jaws
We’ve already seen a mouth that seems to bite whenever the person’s arm closes. This tattoo essentially uses the same concept as that one. Perhaps this tattoo is like a warning sign for people who wander too close to this person.
It seems like all vampire lovers are getting this tattoo because this one also has some fangs. The design is quite different from the other one which had some pops of color. This one, however, is more detailed and rendered in greyscale.
Bumblebee
If you thought we were done with insect reveals, you were quite wrong. We’ve already discussed ladybugs and beetles, it’s now time for the most famous insect of all, a honey bee.
This tattoo, too, is placed at the elbow joint for maximum movement. It also has some splashes of subtle color. The tattoo mainly relies on being super realistic. Not to mention the big reveal as the bumblebee opens its wings to fly away. We wonder if this is the queen bee!
Abstract Flair
Some tattoos are pretty self-explanatory on their own. However, since tattooing is technically art, there are some who prefer a more abstract style.
While this tattoo may not be able to tell you must at first glance, it can give a good impression of the person and their energy. This dark abstract tattoo also smartly utilizes movement from the elbow joint. There’s not much of a reveal here but it focuses on transformation and shifting patterns to make an impact.
Bending Low
When it comes to depicting portraits, it’s easy to go wrong. Not every tattoo artist is skilled enough to depict human anatomy correctly. That’s why it’s easier when you go for a simpler style.
This tattoo may be fairly minimalistic but this artist gets all the little details right. The linework is absolutely perfect. And best of all, the tattoo moves with the changing position of the person’s leg. Whenever the leg is bent, it seems like the lady is bending forwards in respect.
New Perspectives
Placing tattoos on a joint is a technique that’s used to achieve a number of different results. Sometimes it’s used to change the pose of the subject, other times it’s used to reveal something.
However, this tattoo shows us another one of its usages. Here, the joint placement allows us to see the tattoo from a whole new perspective. This abstract animal tattoo may not be revealing any secrets but it gives a new outlook with each movement. That’s what transformative tattoos are all about!
Moving Raptor
Thanks to popular dinosaur films like Jurassic Park, there are some species of dinosaurs that are way more popular than others. And the most famous of them all is the velociraptor.
Perhaps this person grew up watching the iconic movies and wanted a reminder of that on their arm. To make it even more interesting, they placed it right near the shoulder joint. Whenever the person lifts their arm up, the velociraptor extends its long neck. The art style of the piece is also very interesting as it depicts the raptor as a mass of bones.
Open Wide
Here’s another interesting example of the beetle revealing all its secrets. Clearly, this is a super popular trend when it comes to moving tattoos. This one is also placed on the elbow joint.
The artistic style is very subtle and delicate much like the ladybug we saw above. While it doesn’t have any colors, it manages to be very striking due to the dot work alone. While you make think having such a huge insect on your body would look weird, this tattoo is anything but garish.
The All-Seeing Eye
This tattoo takes a departure from the realistic realm and enters the more surrealist landscape of art. It seems like an original design by some super talented artist. The tattoo depicts a hyper-realistic eye in black and white.
The eye is surrounded by various patterns. This tattoo is an example of using movement as a way to alter perspective and form. As the person moves their leg, the tattoo changes and transforms into something much different, giving us a new perspective.
Moth Eyes
After that amazing execution of an eye tattoo, we have another one for you. At first glance, this tattoo looks like another one of those insect tattoos. This time, the insect is the infamous moth. While moths are generally very aesthetically pleasing on their own, this person wanted a bit more.
Using the natural design of the moth’s wings, this artist concealed a pair of realistic eyes in the wings. These eyes are only visible when the person stretches their leg. The overall image it presents is eerie and the eyes add a haunting touch to it.
Stairway to Heaven
We’ve been focusing on insects all this time but there are some other creatures that are equally fascinating. Yes, we are talking about the mysterious deep-sea creatures that lurk below the surface of the water.
This unique tattoo depicts such a creature in all its glory. The fish might look inconsequential, but it hides some deep secrets. When the leg is stretched, you can peek into the secret doorway that just leads up to some dark unknown place. Would you take those stairs?
Pretty Ladybug
You may think the insect reveal trend is getting a bit too common and overused. But the truth is that there are limitless possibilities when it comes to this style of tattooing. All the insects we have discussed are vastly different and wholly unique as compared to one another.
Here’s another ladybug that essentially uses the same method. Unlike the last ladybug, this one uses vibrant color and a very painterly style to set itself apart. This tattoo is a great example of this artist’s mind-blowing skills.
The Eyes
Much like the moth, we marveled over previously, this tattoo utilizes some surrealism to make an impact. Apart from that standard moth design, the tattoo adds the element of the big reveal.
The transformation that this tattoo undergoes is incredibly stunning. Some would look at these and wonder if it were the same tattoo at all! We love how the moth’s wings are spread out wide to showcase the eye-like designs on its wings.
Deep-Sea Monster
Most of the tattoos that transform turn into something that’s not too surprising. If it’s an insect, it makes sense that it would reveal some wings beneath the surface. However, this tattoo is quite different.
At first, it shows us a beautiful and realistic rendition of a fish. While the fish does look fierce, it looks no more terrifying than a regular piranha. However, as the person stretches their arm out we see the full picture. And honestly, it’s a lot to take in!
Cute Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are giant reptiles that look like something out of a sci-fi movie. It’s hard to grasp the fact that they ever existed in the same world as us. It’s also tempting to think what would happen if they still coexisted with us. We have already discussed the fanfare surrounding dinosaurs.
This tattoo is just another example of a dinosaur fan living their dreams. The dinosaur itself is a different species from the ones we have seen before. This time, instead of just fossils, the dinosaur seems to be alive and well. It also happens to extend its long neck whenever the person moves.
Creepy Factor
There are some objects and motifs that appear in tattoos again and again. You could say that these have been overused to a degree that it’s almost unoriginal now.
This skull tattoo, however, is nothing like the others. It’s difficult to tell if this is even a skull or not. This is a great example of how you can take a traditional motif and turn it into something truly unique to represent yourself. This creepy skull tattoo is definitely doing a good job of grabbing attention.
Moving Creatures
We’ve looked at tattoos depicting fantasy creatures before. This is another example of how artists can use their creativity to make something that never existed. The creature in this tattoo resembles nothing that we have ever seen before.
This dynamic tattoo reveals the creature’s mouth which is full of some form of frog-like eggs. The whole picture is quite frightening and the dark art style makes it even scarier. Although, it must feel really special to have a truly unique tattoo that no one else might have.
The Mask
We’ve seen insects placed on joints that reveal their wings. We’ve also seen insects that reveal eyes underneath. But we have to say, we have seen nothing like this tattoo before.
At first glance, it may seem like a regular insect tattoo. But if you pay attention, you see that the wings actually make two halves of a human face. When extended, the face reveals a skeleton underneath it. All this is incorporated into the insect’s body and looks pretty surrealistic.
Anglerfish
In recent years, we’ve started to learn more about just how frightening deep-sea creatures can be. One of the most famous creatures is the anglerfish. Showcased in the popular animated film Nemo, the existence of the angler fish is pretty common knowledge at this point.
The best part about them is that they seem unreal. The little light hanging in front of them is used as bait to lure in prey. This tattoo utilizes the terrifying image of this fish. As soon as the person stretches their leg, everyone can see the fish for what it really is, a terrifying predator.
Capturing Prey
The simple change in perspective that moving tattoos provide is fascinating enough on its own. But sometimes artists add a little surprise in between.
Here’s a tattoo that seems pretty standard from what we have seen so far. It’s the tattoo of a jaw lined with some sharp teeth. The jaw is supposed to open and close as the elbow moves. The little surprise comes in the form of a tiny fish that’s seemingly being engulfed and trapped by the jaw.
Surreal Fish
This larger-than-life tattoo covers this person’s entire leg and turns it into a masterpiece. When bent at the knee, it simply looks like a very detailed fish with a window etched into it.
The true impact of this tattoo is felt when the person stands up. This is when the fish morphs into a whole different creature. Despite the distorted shape of the fish, the tattoo remains quite clear. It also reveals two windows embedded in the fish. This is a true surrealistic work of art. Dali would be proud!
The Octomorph
After evolving fish, we present a seemingly simple octopus. While the octopus is quite an interesting creature with a bunch of cool elements on its own. This tattoo seeks to take it a lot further.
Placed on the leg, the tattoo features a realistic octopus when the person bends their leg. True magic happens when the leg is stretched. Suddenly, the octopus transforms into this creepy blob with a huge eye and a lot of tentacles. If you thought an octopus with three eyes was bad, the extended version will give you nightmares.