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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 (147)

A floral ornamental tattoo is inked across the lower back on bare skin.
A cactus tattoo on forearm in blackwork
A forearm with a frog tattoo, lighting highlighting linework and ink depth
A large lighthouse tattoo wrapping around a forearm
A semicolon tattoo on a forearm, resting on a neutral surface and visible ink saturation.
A healed forearm compass tattoo with rope coil and traditional shading
A close-up of a calf with a black Norse knotwork and Valknut tattoo against a blurred indoor floor.
A realistic clock tattoo with Roman numerals is inked on a person's calf.
A Grim Reaper forearm tattoo, showcasing core symbolism and aesthetic
A forearm dragon tattoo in black-and-gray style, showing bold linework and subtle shading
A hummingbird tattoo on forearm, crisp linework and saturated ink on natural skin.
A healed dragonfly tattoo on forearm, highlighting black linework and subtle shading
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