Della Hargrove
Tattoo Design Specialist
Tattoo artist and designer with 12+ years working across American traditional, Japanese, and modern minimalist styles. Della writes about design choices, placement, aftercare, and the meaning behind popular motifs.
Della Hargrove has been working in and writing about tattoo design for over a decade, across traditional American, Japanese (irezumi-influenced), and contemporary minimalist work. Della’s writing focuses on the practical decisions behind a good tattoo: design, placement, sizing, and the cultural context of motifs.
Areas of Expertise
- American traditional and neo-traditional design
- Japanese tattoo style and motif symbolism
- Minimalist, fine-line, and single-needle work
- Placement, sizing, and how designs age on the body
- Aftercare and healing through the first 4 weeks
Writing Approach
Della writes the way a tattooer talks across the chair, direct about what works, honest about what doesn’t. Every design article names a real placement, a real size range, and the cultural roots of the motif. Aftercare guidance comes with timelines, not vague “follow your artist’s instructions” platitudes.
Articles by Della Hargrove (206)
Shoulder Tattoos: Placement, Pain and Size by Zone
Not all shoulder tattoos hurt the same - outer deltoid runs 4/10 while the blade hits 6-8/10. Pick the right zone for your design size before you book.
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Wrist Tattoo Placement, Pain and Ideas That Last
Choose the wrong wrist tattoo sub-zone and you'll be touching it up in five years. Inner, outer, or side - each ages differently. Pick smart.
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Traditional Japanese Tattoo: Irezumi Style Guide
A traditional Japanese tattoo sleeve runs 25-40 hours. Here's what irezumi motifs mean, how tebori differs from machine, and how to vet a real horishi.
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Neo Traditional Tattoo Line Weight Palette and Aging Guide
Jewel-toned gradients and variable line weights define neo traditional tattoo, but both demand palm-size minimums to survive the years.
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Matching Tattoos Guide for Friends, Family, and Groups
Matching tattoos for friends, siblings, parents and groups: four set structures, placement and scale rules, cost per person, and designs that age well.
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Cyber Sigilism Tattoo: Placement, Aging and Cost
A cyber sigilism tattoo lives or dies by placement: inner forearm holds 5-7 years, hands fade in 18 months. Here's what a $500 budget covers in 2026.
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Spine Tattoo: Placement, Pain, and What Actually Holds
Your spine tattoo lives on a moving axis: here's what that means for pain by segment, line longevity, and healing logistics before you book.
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Flash Tattoo Sheets Walk-Ins and What You Actually Get
Flash tattoo means ready-made designs you can walk in and get inked quickly with set pricing and minimal wait. Learn how flash sheets and walk-ins work.
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Icarus Tattoo: Meaning, Styles, Placement and Sizing
Flight or fall? Your Icarus tattoo's pose changes everything it communicates. Styles, honest size minimums, and placement rules to check before you book.
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Behind Ear Tattoo: Pain, Size, and How Long It Lasts
Wrong design choice and friction will blur a behind ear tattoo within years. Here's what size, style, and placement actually hold up long-term.
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Saint Michael Tattoo: Meaning, Symbols and Placement
A Saint Michael tattoo demands the right canvas: here's how sword, shield, and dragon scale from a 5-inch forearm to a full back piece.
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Couple Tattoos: Designs, Placement and What Ages Well
Complementary designs beat identical every time - here's how to pick couple tattoos that hold up in 10 years, with placement, style, and cost breakdowns.
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