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The Tattoos Design
Della Hargrove

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 (188)

A forearm tattoo during laser removal, showing ink saturation and a subtle laser glow
A Samoan tattoo on forearm, bold black geometric patterns
A forearm tattoo being concealed with makeup in a soft-lit studio.
Healed henna on the inner forearm with intricate floral and paisley pattern in natural brown.
La Llorona tattoo on forearm, showing a veiled figure with flowing lines and subtle river motif.
A dotwork portrait tattoo of a face is inked on a person's upper back.
A geometric tattoo with sharp black patterns is inked on the side of a person's torso.
A cartoon ghost tattoo on skin with a small bat and star beside it.
A mountain range tattoo on a forearm, showing crisp black linework and subtle shading
A black cat tattoo on a person's upper back and shoulder.
A forearm jellyfish tattoo showing crisp linework and shading on healed skin
A forearm showing a scar with a bold tattoo overlay
Mini Fine-Line Botanical Flash Sheet